Each and every day we come in 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 most familiar of us tend to take them for granted.
Imagine how you could change that 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 have enormous physical and mental benefits. The therapeutic benefits of photography are a scientific reality and here is why:
1. Activity: there is always some new photo that we must take and some place we must go to take it. It’s really hard to just sit on the couch and snap an award-winning photo. We keep moving.
two. Positive mental attitude: we just can’t wait to capture a picture of the next awesome 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 that we can share them with others. We are eager to share our amazement with others. And the compliments they bring are sure to make us feel good.
Four. Connection: Through photography we gain a strong sense of connection with this world as a whole and especially with 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 awaits around the corner. We dedicate our leisure hours to an activity that is enjoyable and has no end.
6. Stimulating the 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 are kept fresh and open because we are in a constant state of learning.
7. New friends: By taking our photos and sharing 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 alone when your mission is to return with great photos to share the places you explored. In Earl Nightingale’s famous talk, “The Strangest Secret,” he observed, “The people who live the longest are the ones 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 a few squats for that unique angle, a few uphill climbs, a little forest patch, and you’ve got some powerful ingredients for a healthy life.
10. Freedom from worries: we focus on the excitement of tomorrow rather than yesterday’s problems. After all, with digital photography, we can always fix 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 supreme fountain of youth.
Photography is a fun and healthy activity for people of all ages. So grab your digital camera, go over some tips for getting better photos, and move on. A whole 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.