Heal yourself with art!

Doctors are "prescribing" making art or taking time to admire an artist's creations. Here's how it improves your health.

- GABRIELLE LICHTERMAN

Snapping photos boosts mood!

When you're having fun, whether it's attending a free concert in the park or brunching with pals, pull out your phone to take a few pics. Not only will you have mementos to look back on, but Yale University researchers found that photographing joyful occasions also amplifies the positivity you feel in the moment. Setting up a good shot makes you pay more attention to the experience, helping you soak it in and enjoy it even more.

Improve memory by dancing

Moving your body to music is one of the oldest art forms, and now scientists say it's also a powerful way to sharpen recall.

Canadian research found that line dancing at a country-western club, square dancing at a local community center or improvising in your living room for at least 30 minutes a week improves your memory within 10 weeks. While dancing is fun, it's also a complex exercise that stimulates multiple brain regions responsible for storing and retrieving information. That means it helps you remember details more easily.

OR BANG ON A DRUM

German scientists found that regularly tapping to a beat on a hand drum or even on a table revs memory within 15 weeks.