Life Long Learning
Content Courtesy of the Forever Young Podcast with Christiana Egi and Cherrie-Marie Chiu.
Would you consider yourself a lifelong learner? Life is about constant growth and practicing new habits! Learning new skills can be a great idea because it gives you something to look forward to and helps you become less bored.
Are you thinking of learning a new language in 2023? Or rekindle your love for dance? Christiana and Cherrie discussed some new skills they would like to learn this year like ballet or learning French and Italian! On our most recent Forever Young podcast episode, we discussed the idea of learning new skills and how to incorporate them into a busy schedule.
Have you heard the saying that goes, the opposite of happiness is not sadness, it's boredom? Well, that is true! Learning a new skill is a great way to keep one's mind active. We have talked a lot about keeping our minds active, and how beneficial it is to ward off mental illness and even dementia. Mental activity is just as important as physical activity and should not be neglected. As we get older, we are at a higher risk for cognitive impairments such as memory loss, and other neurological disorders, like Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.
Although it is a great way to keep our minds active, there are many other reasons we should learn new skills. Depending on what it is, whether it's swimming or rock climbing, such activities can teach survival skills that will be useful to you. Speaking french while in Paris is also a survival skill, or even in and around Quebec city!
If you are learning a new skill that involves going to an in-person class, there is so much more to look forward to! You get to be physically active, you are going to have to get yourself ready to go out. And then you may have to actively participate in the class which allows a social aspect. It could be a great way to make friends that have like-minded interests as well. So many of our seasoned friends can get lonely and going to a class once a week is a great way to be both active and have some social time.
Having a community boasts a sense of belonging and purpose that also improves longevity. Research has shown that people who live in communities that get a lot of stimulation and do things together tend to live a lot longer. Learning a new skill can greatly influence how much fun, which is important because it relieves stress and anxiety, and also strengthens relationships through social interaction. The laughter that comes with the fun releases positive endorphins which help improve your mood and mental health. It's essential to continue to do things to keep our mental and emotional health strong.
Another great benefit of learning a new skill is it helps retain more memories and create neuron connections. As we mentioned, keeping the mind active can help ward off dementia and help the brain generate new neurons that help retain more memories.
For our more seasoned friends, the newest sensation and exercise are Pickleball. This may be an interesting sport to pick up on this year! It is easier than tennis, but it is still a physical game and something that we will work on in the spring! There are also musical instruments, and you are never too late to learn how to play an instrument. In fact, many of us may have picked up playing a new instrument as a hobby during the pandemic. Some other skills can be knitting, reading, doing crosswords, or different types of puzzles!
Learning a new skill is a great way to stay active regardless of your age. For our more seasoned friends and for young people, learning is a wonderful way to stave off boredom, depression, loneliness, and memory problems. It gives us a new lease on life and promotes longevity. Learning motivates us and improves our immunity, increases happiness, and makes for a much easier person to be around! There are so many benefits of learning a new skill and just being a lifelong learner.
The Forever Young podcast was created and produced by Christiana Egi and Cherrie Marie Chiu. Produced and engineered by Elisse Hill. The podcast represents our opinions and those of our guests. The content should not be taken as medical advice. It is for informational purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. If you like our show, please tell your friends and leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts. New episodes are available every other Wednesday. Have questions? Email us at ourforeveryoungpodcast@gmail.com.
