Lifelong Learning = Lifelong Benefits
New learning experiences keep our brains healthy.
While swimming my usual laps at the community pool, I heard a popping sound nearby and decided to check it out. A pickleball game was in full swing. That looks like fun, I thought, it will be a breeze for me because I play tennis. Not so fast! Although pickleball shares similarities with both tennis and ping pong, I quickly realized I had a lot to learn. Fortunately, the group was warm and welcoming, eager to explain and demonstrate the game.
As I learned the rules and strategies, I gradually replaced some of my tennis habits with new skills. While I never became particularly good at pickleball, I thoroughly enjoyed the process and made new friends along the way. Plus, numerous studies indicate that acquiring new knowledge and skills can contribute to brain health.
Learn and Thrive
Research studies by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) suggest that cognitive health interventions—activities that involve thinking, learning, and remembering—can delay dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Pickleball was a success, but my first experience with mountain biking was a different story. I went out with an experienced biker, and even after several sessions, I struggled to keep up on narrow trails filled with roots and rocks. Ignoring my better judgment, I tackled a difficult trail and skidded off a small cliff. Thankfully, I landed in a stream, which cushioned my fall.
Despite the challenges, I found mountain biking appealing. I loved navigating trails through the forest, away from traffic. To make it safer, I compromised and discovered a wide, well-groomed former “carriage path” winding through a hilly park. The ride was still challenging and required my full focus. Over time, I learned how fast I could go without wiping out!
Facing challenges and striving to perform tasks at a high level keeps our brains active. Studies on lifelong learning confirm that the adage “use it or lose it” applies to the mind just as it does to the body.
Learning doesn’t always require a physical component to yield cognitive benefits. Here are some ideas to explore:
- A new language
- A new board game—chess, cribbage, you name it
- Word games such as Scrabble
- A new dance
- Enrolling in adult education courses on topics of interest
- Woodworking, gardening, painting
- Playing a new musical instrument
How Curious Are You?
Curiosity is the key to continual learning. It drives us to acquire new talents. In my writing career, curiosity led me to ignore my agent’s advice to stick to survival books that sell well. Instead, I explored other subjects, including leadership, military history, and even romance.
For one project about learning to set boundaries and say no to others, I collaborated with psychologists and found their insights fascinating. I felt a sense of purpose as I delved into the techniques and methods behind our struggles to say no. That sense of purpose or enrichment can stem from any new learning experience, significantly improving our mood and self-confidence.
My latest hobby surprised me with its learning curve, much like pickleball did. As an avid fisherman in New England, I assumed my techniques would work on the Florida coast. I was mistaken. The different fish species in the South, such as pompano, required a new set of skills and knowledge. I sought advice from fellow anglers, read articles, and shopped for new equipment. Through trial and error, I gradually found success from the surf.
In fact, I was getting a three-for-one health deal with surf fishing: I learned a new skill, got plenty of exercise, and occasionally enjoyed a healthy meal rich in omega-3s!
Consider trying a new hobby or taking on the challenge of acquiring a new skill—your brain will thank you.
YOUR TURN
What new interest, hobby, or activity have you taken up recently? How has it been working for you? Share your experience in the comments!
Michael Tougias is the author of the award-winning Ten Hours Until Dawn: Survival and Tragedy in the Blizzard of ‘78. His latest two books are No Will Set You Free and a true story for young adults, Fatal Forecast. www.michaeltougias.com.
New learning experiences keep our brains healthy.
While swimming my usual laps at the community pool, I heard a popping sound nearby and decided to check it out. A pickleball game was in full swing. That looks like fun, I thought, it will be a breeze for me because I play tennis. Not so fast! Although pickleball shares similarities with both tennis and ping pong, I quickly realized I had a lot to learn. Fortunately, the group was warm and welcoming, eager to explain and demonstrate the game.
As I learned the rules and strategies, I gradually replaced some of my tennis habits with new skills. While I never became particularly good at pickleball, I thoroughly enjoyed the process and made new friends along the way. Plus, numerous studies indicate that acquiring new knowledge and skills can contribute to brain health.
Learn and Thrive
Research studies by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) suggest that cognitive health interventions—activities that involve thinking, learning, and remembering—can delay dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Pickleball was a success, but my first experience with mountain biking was a different story. I went out with an experienced biker, and even after several sessions, I struggled to keep up on narrow trails filled with roots and rocks. Ignoring my better judgment, I tackled a difficult trail and skidded off a small cliff. Thankfully, I landed in a stream, which cushioned my fall.
Despite the challenges, I found mountain biking appealing. I loved navigating trails through the forest, away from traffic. To make it safer, I compromised and discovered a wide, well-groomed former “carriage path” winding through a hilly park. The ride was still challenging and required my full focus. Over time, I learned how fast I could go without wiping out!
Facing challenges and striving to perform tasks at a high level keeps our brains active. Studies on lifelong learning confirm that the adage “use it or lose it” applies to the mind just as it does to the body.
Learning doesn’t always require a physical component to yield cognitive benefits. Here are some ideas to explore:
- A new language
- A new board game—chess, cribbage, you name it
- Word games such as Scrabble
- A new dance
- Enrolling in adult education courses on topics of interest
- Woodworking, gardening, painting
- Playing a new musical instrument
How Curious Are You?
Curiosity is the key to continual learning. It drives us to acquire new talents. In my writing career, curiosity led me to ignore my agent’s advice to stick to survival books that sell well. Instead, I explored other subjects, including leadership, military history, and even romance.
For one project about learning to set boundaries and say no to others, I collaborated with psychologists and found their insights fascinating. I felt a sense of purpose as I delved into the techniques and methods behind our struggles to say no. That sense of purpose or enrichment can stem from any new learning experience, significantly improving our mood and self-confidence.
My latest hobby surprised me with its learning curve, much like pickleball did. As an avid fisherman in New England, I assumed my techniques would work on the Florida coast. I was mistaken. The different fish species in the South, such as pompano, required a new set of skills and knowledge. I sought advice from fellow anglers, read articles, and shopped for new equipment. Through trial and error, I gradually found success from the surf.
In fact, I was getting a three-for-one health deal with surf fishing: I learned a new skill, got plenty of exercise, and occasionally enjoyed a healthy meal rich in omega-3s!
Consider trying a new hobby or taking on the challenge of acquiring a new skill—your brain will thank you.
YOUR TURN
What new interest, hobby, or activity have you taken up recently? How has it been working for you? Share your experience in the comments!
Michael Tougias is the author of the award-winning Ten Hours Until Dawn: Survival and Tragedy in the Blizzard of ‘78. His latest two books are No Will Set You Free and a true story for young adults, Fatal Forecast. www.michaeltougias.com.
