A new study shows that going to music gigs is a very, very healthy habit.

 

Attending music gigs is one way to relieve stress and be social. It may also be a great way to add years to your life. Which is great news to most of the people reading this article.

 

O2 and Goldsmith University Associate Lecturer Patrick Fagan published the unexpected results. Fagan specializes in behavioral science, and headed into the study understanding the positive impact of communal arts experiences. What the data started showing, however, was pretty shocking.

 

According to the study, experiencing a gig for just 20 minutes can result in a 21% increase in feelings of well-being. Furthermore, the research found a direct link between “high levels of well-being and a lifespan increase of nine years” or more.

 

Of course, that’s up to a decade of extra living. If you’re aged 107, heading out to gigs every night won’t extend you to 116. But it does means that younger fans can effectively boost their life expectancies by indulging in the positive behavior. That is, provided they abstain from seriously harmful drugs, high-risk activities, and have generally healthy habits.

 

The life extension estimate wasn’t a random guess. Psychometric testing and heart-rate tests were given to the participants of the study. Results showed that the participants increased their feelings of self-worth (25%), closeness to others (25%) and mental stimulation (75%) when they attended gigs.