Totally random museum goers.

Good news for all you cultured guys out there – apparently, men who enjoy cultural activities like going to the museum, a concert or play, or participating in clubs or volunteer work are healthier and happier than men who don’t. An article posted on msnbc.com discusses the study.

Koenraad Cuypers of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology “collected data on the activities, life satisfaction, perceived health, anxiety and depression of 50,797 adult[s]” in Norway in order to conduct the study.

Overall, men who participated in cultural activities reported feeling healthier and happier. Other studies have shown that participating in cultural activities may lead to other healthy lifestyle choices, such as physical activity.

Cuypers divided cultural activities into two categories: creative and receptive. The difference is interaction: creative culture activities involve active participation (like volunteer work), while receptive culture activities involve taking in another’s work or performance (like seeing a play). Participating in either type of activity yielded positive results.

So what about the other half (or more) of the population? Women enjoy similar benefits from cultural activities as men but, “Men seemed to get more of a perceived health benefit from being involved in different receptive cultural activities than women did," according to Cuypers. Nonetheless, the more cultural activities in which a person participates, the happier and healthier he or she feels.

Let’s not overlook a glaring discrepancy here: economics. Most people who go to museums, musicals, or ballets on a regular basis aren’t exactly struggling to make ends meet. They can afford healthcare, healthier food choices, and in general can enjoy a less stressful life than those who live paycheck to paycheck. The article touches on this detail and explains that income and education were controlled factors, but in my experience, a full wallet tends to ease stress more than an empty one does, and less stress leads to health and happiness. If I had the leisure to spend all of my time in the theater or museums, I’d probably be happier, too.  

Happiness is a state of mind, right? I’m not sure that frequenting art galleries will guarantee anyone health or contentment, but incorporating a little culture in your life can’t hurt.

So, give it a try. If you’re feeling down, drop by the local Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum in Eau Claire or maybe the Heritage Museum in Menomonie and see what happens to your mood/cholesterol level.