09 August,2026 09:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Junisha Dama
New research confirms that weekly museum visits can slow your biological ageing by four per cent. PIC/ISTOCK
Our collective idea of self-care has become depressingly predictable. It's a 7 am HIIT class that leaves you hating life, a protein shake that tastes like wet chalk, or mindlessly doom-scrolling on Instagram until your eyes burn.
It's time for a happy change. New research confirms that weekly museum visits can slow down biological ageing by four per cent. It feels like the fountain of youth was actually hiding in plain sight, tucked behind the iron gates of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), and we never noticed.
A study published in Innovation in Ageing, titled âDoes leisure activity matter for epigenetic ageing? has dropped a scientific bombshell: visiting museums and art galleries is essentially the new âit' physical exercise.
According to the research, folks who engage in weekly cultural activities are biologically ageing slower than those who don't. So, is it time we swap our green tea and protein shakes for some culture?
Nandan Mangaonkar
Nandan Mangaonkar, a regular museum goer, has turned gallery-hopping into a lifestyle. "With the Bhau Daji Lad Museum, there is a distinct sense of belonging," Mangaonkar says, "It speaks about our city, how the restoration work happened, how it was part of a culture, how it became a revival. It creates a hook with the city."
Mangaonkar notes that his engagement is deepened by guided tours and the floating exhibitions or temporary displays that turn any museum into a recurring destination. "When you attend things like that, you start reflecting. You see a timeline of what was happening in India vs. the world, and you start looking at things from a different point of view. It's a mental reset."
Dr Kedar Tilwe
"It doesn't surprise me at all," says Dr Kedar Tilwe, consultant psychiatrist at Fortis Hospital, Mulund and Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi. "People who have interests outside their routine work tend to have a healthier, more robust ageing process. When you are scrolling through social media, the idea is usually that it's a very small amount of time that our attention is focused. It's fleeting attention or passive content. It's not something we analyse too much because it is served to us in clear, bite-sized terms."
Compare that, Dr Tilwe notes, to a museum visit. "When you are looking at paintings or structures that have been built, analyse and understand the logic of another person trying to build that masterpiece. All of this engages you and forces you to think for yourself and imagine for yourself. This is much more helpful than mindless scrolling."
Urvi Kothari Jogani
Urvi Kothari Jogani, a South Asian art writer and curator says that she feels a sense of ownership anytime she engages in cultural activity. "As a Jain, any time I have come across scriptures or artefacts related to Jainism, it gives me more context, a sense of ownership and belonging. My brain instantly starts making a lot of connections."
Jogani adds that historical context in turn increases her curiosity, forcing her to dive into further research. "You get a better understanding of the world. For example, I have looked at Mughal history and understood why India has certain aesthetics, made a connection to Turkish empires, and at times even got a better understanding of global politics through history."
In essence, your social media feeds are waning your patience; but a stroll through a heritage gallery is basically a high-intensity yoga session for your grey matter.
Dr Tilwe suggests a hybrid approach. "Exercise is non-negotiable. I suggest at least one to two rounds of walks a day for the elderly without over-exerting themselves. But a museum becomes the novel distraction they didn't know they needed."
Deeksha Athwani, a consultant clinical psychologist at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, emphasises that the benefits of cultural engagement go far beyond mere distraction.
She points to a phenomenon often overlooked in the rush of urban life: the "smiling depression" among our elderly population. A type of depressive disorder where individuals project happiness but suffer from profound inner anguish.
"When people are spending time in the museum, they are not just looking at objects. They are learning, they are remembering, and they are connecting," Athwani explains. "We have the physical side of ageing covered; everyone knows to eat well and walk. But curiosity, creativity, and new experiences are what keep our minds truly active."
She adds that everyone, young or old, should engage in cultural visits for creativity or simply to improve their curiosity.
>> âChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) offers robust accessibility, with wide ramps, elevators, and wheelchair availability upon request. The spacious gardens provide a perfect transition from the city's heat to the museum's cool interiors.
>> âDr Bhau Daji Lad Museum is an architectural masterpiece. It has made significant strides in accessibility, but visitors with mobility challenges should call ahead to confirm lift access for the galleries on the first floor.
>> âMani Bhavan is small, intimate, and perfect for a slower, quiet afternoon. Be aware that the historic layout has stairs.
>> âNational Museum of Indian Cinema's new building has elevators, escalators, and ramps for wheelchairs. However, the old building does have wooden stairs to some galleries, limiting accessibility.
