Your Brain on Art | Why Creativity Matters for Physician Well-Being

Many of us have come to think of art, music, and writing as optional, things we get to if there’s time.But what if brain science tells us the opposite? What if the arts are essential to our well-being?In this episode of Stand Up (for) Doctors!, we're joined by two physicians who will be sharing their insights at our inaugural Physician Retreat this October, where science, creativity, connection, and personal well-being will be woven together.🔹 Dr. Kristin O’Dell is an experienced hospitalist, lifestyle medicine advocate, and physician coach.🔹 Dr. Carolyn Roy-Bornstein is a pediatrician turned author, speaker, and Narrative Medicine facilitator.After reading Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, recommended by Dr. A.J. Farrow, Kim became fascinated by the research showing how art, music, movement, writing, and nature can transform the brain and support well-being. Some physicians are even prescribing museum visits to patients.So what does this mean for doctors?At the upcoming Physician Retreat, meaningful discussions will be paired with experiences including abstract art, improv, writing, a drum circle, meditation, and line dancing. These aren't simply activities added between sessions. They're part of the experience by design.Medicine is deeply human. Perhaps our well-being requires us to make room for the things that remind us of that.🔗 Connect with our guests:Dr. Kristin O’Dell🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-o-dell-md-fhm-dipablm-cpe-acc-4097607aDr. Carolyn Roy-Bornstein🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-roy-bornstein-8a329636/🌐 https://www.carolynroybornstein.com/These conversations don't end with the podcast.Join us at the Stand Up (for) Doctors! Inaugural Physician Retreat, where meaningful discussions are paired with science-based activities that give equal weight to personal well-being. From abstract art and improv to writing, meditation, a drum circle, and line dancing, the experience is intentionally designed to give physicians space to connect, explore, and recharge.Physicians representing 16 specialties, from 20 states, along with colleagues from Australia and the U.K., have already registered. We'd love to have you join us.📍 Windrose on Hudson, Ossining, NY🗓 October 9–12, 2026🔗 https://standupfordoctors.org/events/Only 5 spots available.If today's conversation resonated with you, you'll find more powerful stories like this in our White Coats book series, created to humanize medicine and amplify physician voices:https://standupfordoctors.org/books/We're also honored to have Medicine Forward as the Founding Sponsor of our inaugural Physician Retreat. Their support reflects a shared belief that caring for physicians means creating space for connection, creativity, and personal well-being alongside the important work of medicine.Learn more about Medicine Forward:https://medicineforward.org#StandUpForDoctors #PhysicianWellBeing #NarrativeMedicine #LifestyleMedicine #CreativityInMedicine #HumanConnection #Episode170