![\"Serene](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2191395584.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt\u2019s fun and sweat-free (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tIt\u2019s fun and sweat-free (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Luxurious skincare. Sweating it out at the gym<\/a>. Botox<\/a>.<\/p>\n While there\u2019s something to be said for ageing gracefully<\/a>, we all take steps to slow down the clock \u2014 with varying degrees of success.<\/p>\n But now, a new study has found a surprising habit that can put the breaks on ageing, and it doesn\u2019t involve any cardio.<\/p>\n It turns out that taking an interest in arts and culture can be an effective way to scientifically cheat time.<\/p>\n Visiting a museum, admiring some art, or having a sing-song, can all lead to helping you stay biologically younger.<\/p>\n The research by the University College London<\/a> used blood samples from 3,556 UK adults to come to their conclusions.<\/p>\n Participants were asked if they had undertaken any of the following activities in the last 12 months:<\/p>\n Singing<\/p>\n Dancing<\/p>\n Painting<\/p>\n Photography<\/p>\n Attending an art exhibition or event<\/p>\n Visiting a heritage site (historic park, building or monument)<\/p>\n Going to a museum, library or archives<\/p>\n Those who undertook one of these activities at least once a week were able to slow the ageing process by 4%. <\/p>\n These results were the same as those who exercised at least once a week, compared to those who did no exercise (so don\u2019t thrown those trainers in the bin just yet). <\/p>\n And, on average, those who engaged in arts and culture were a year younger biologically than those who rarely enjoyed the same pursuits.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tTake a trip to London\u2019s new V&A East Museum\t\t\t<\/p>\n At a cost of \u00a3135,000,000, the new brand of the V&A in London\u2019s Stratford is finally open, after taking 10 years to build.<\/p>\n Intended to attract new audiences and rooted in the neighbourhood\u2019s industrial, creative heritage, it\u2019s a far cry from the original V&A\u2019s grandiose building.<\/p>\n Its two permanent galleries, titled Why We Make, span two floors and explore creativity in all its forms, spanning art, architecture, design, performance, and\u00a0fashion<\/a>.<\/p>\n Plus, the museum launched with a temporary exhibition on Black British music, which traces how Black British music has shaped British culture from 1900 to the present day, while mapping its global influence.<\/p>\n Interested? Metro went along, to see if the new V&A was worth the wait. Check out our honest review<\/a>, here. <\/p>\n Professor Daisy Fancourt, the lead author of the study, which was published in the Oxford Academic Innovation in Aging<\/a>, wrote within the research: \u2018This study provides the first evidence that engaging in arts and cultural activities is associated with a slower pace of biological ageing, with benefits similar to physical activity.\u2019<\/p>\n The results were so stark, that researchers said the results were comparable to the difference previously found between current smokers and ex-smokers.<\/p>\n It is worth noting that slower ageing doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you\u2019ll live longer, though.<\/p>\n \t\t The study used seven different \u2018epigenetic clocks\u2019 to determine the speed of aging, these are tools that read chemical patterns on your DNA.<\/p>\n While the researchers pointed out that \u2018ageing clocks are not without controversy; and that \u2018there is no gold standard for measuring epigenetic Researchers also add that their results show arts and culture as a \u2018potential contributor to healthy ageing at a biological level, supporting its inclusion in public health<\/a> strategies.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tMore health news from Metro\t\t\t<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Playful](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-1667885309.jpg\")
\n\t\tFun and good for your health (Picture: Getty Images\/Maskot)<\/p>\n
biological ageing\u2019, arts and culture activity was related to a slower pace of ageing on three of the seven clocks.<\/p>\n
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