How the arts can benefit your mental health (no talent required)

A growing body of evidence suggests that creating art, as well as activities like attending a concert or visiting a museum, can benefit mental health. Researchers and scientists such as Susan Magsamen have found that there are simple ways to elevate one's mood with the arts, including by drawing simple stick figures. The method features in Susan's new book, 'Your brains on art: How the arts transform us', co-authored with Dr James Gordon, a psychiatrist and the founder of the Centre for Mind-Body Medicine. Susan is a member of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab steering committee and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University.