Each and every day we come into contact with hundreds, if not thousands, of photographs. We see them on billboards, magazines, newspapers, in our mailbox, and in the family photos that adorn our walls. We hardly give a second thought to most. And the more familiar ones we tend to take for granted.
Imagine how that could change if you knew for sure that taking those photos could help you live a longer, healthier life.
My research has shown that taking photos can actually produce enormous physical and mental benefits. The therapeutic benefits of photography are a scientific reality and here’s why:
1. Activity: there is always some new photo to take and somewhere to go to take it. It’s really hard to just sit on the couch and take an award-winning photo. We keep moving.
2. Positive mental attitude: We can’t wait to capture a picture of the next amazing thing. We know for sure that the world is full of wonders and it is our mission, our passion to show it in our photographs.
3. Exchange: while a small percentage may take photos strictly for their own personal pleasure, most of us take photos so we can share them with others. We are eager to share our sense of wonder with others. And the compliments they bring are sure to make us feel good.
4. Access: through photography we gain a strong sense of connection to this world as a whole and especially to our local community.
5. Fun: we had fun! Each photographic outing is a new adventure, a treasure hunt for visual splendor. You never know what visual prize is lurking around the next corner. We spend our leisure hours in an activity that we find pleasant and that has no end.
6. Stimulating mind: each new photo opportunity presents a different challenge. We should always assess the ambient light and surroundings and adjust our camera settings accordingly. Our minds stay fresh and open because we are in a constant state of learning.
7. New friends: As we take our photos and share them, we are constantly surrounded by opportunities for human interaction. Humanity was never built for loneliness.
8. Sense of purpose: we always have a mission, a reason for being. It’s even fun to travel solo when your mission is to come back with great photos to share of the places you’ve explored. In Earl Nightingale’s famous talk, “The Strangest Secret,” he observed, “The people who live the longest are the people who have something to do.” You are never too old to take a great photo.
9. Exercise: Walking has been heralded as one of the most universally beneficial exercises and we photographers walk a lot. Throw in some squats for that unique angle, some uphill climbs, some wooded terrain, and you’ve got some powerful ingredients for healthy living.
10 Worry free: we focus on the excitement of tomorrow, rather than the problems of yesterday. After all, with digital photography, we can always spruce up yesterday’s shot today with a little Photoshop! We keep our eyes focused on the future, the next shot. Hope for the future is the latest Fountain of Youth.
Photography is a healthy and fun activity for people of all ages. So grab your digital camera, brush up on some tips for better photos, and get going. A new world of wonders is waiting for you. And with all those health benefits, you’ll have even more time to capture all the wonders of this beautiful place called Earth.