Anyone who keeps learning stays young — Henry Ford & Research
Henry Ford was onto something!
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young,” Ford said, and now new research shows he was indeed correct.
University of Texas at Dallas-led study found that, Older adults that engage in challenging mental activities actually improve their cognitive functioning.
Researchers took 221 adults, ages 60–90, and had them engage in some sort of mental activity for 15 hours a week over three months. Some were asked to try a new activity, which required them to learn, such as digital photography or even quilting. Another group stuck to familiar activities they’d do at home, like completing a puzzle or listening to classical music. The last group spent their time doing social activities, including field trips and other entertainment.
While each group was occupied in some way, three months later, researchers found only the first group had actively engaged their minds. The group undertaking new activities which required learning, showed improvements in memory compared to the other groups. Learning stimulates memory and high-level thinking in the brain, researchers say.
Unlike many of our other organs, the brain has the ability to constantly change — a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. New scientific studies show that we’re capable of neurogenesis, a process wherein we create new neurones in certain parts of our brain throughout our lifetime. These ongoing biological processes mean that we have the power to create physical changes in the cellular structures of the brain, developing new nerve pathways, which can directly result in improved cognitive function, a slowed ageing process, and enhanced memory.
A constant learning has it’s own advantages; it Keeps your mind sharp, Improves your memory, increases self-confidence, gives you a feeling of accomplishment, helps you meet people who share your interests, you build on skills you already have & many more!
Here are some ways on how you can keep learning (this is applicable for a person of any age) —
1. Learn what you want
It’s not a school!
You’re not in school anymore. There are no rules! Pick any topic that you’re curious about and seek out more information. Now that you are not in school, you have the greatest advantage: you can learn anything you want. Pursue what peaks your interest and never stop learning — your mind will appreciate it.
Keep a List.
If you find something that interests you, but are entrenched in something else? Keep an ongoing list of all the things about which you’re curious. When you have free time, you’ll have an easy place to go to expand your mind. This really helps!
2. Talk to Smart people
Know anybody your truly admire? Somebody who is really good at something that you would like to be good at?
Take them out for a lunch or dinner or just a walk. Ask questions and listen to their answers keenly. You will be amazed at what you can learn if you let someone you admire teach you. This is so simple, each one of us is good at something or other, we can really learn the skills or develop interest in any skill, just by talking to a person who is good at it. Sometimes inspiration through an unknow person too, search the skill you wish to learn & try connecting to a peer on Teachmitra whom you can talk to & get inspired to learn.
3. Read good books
Some people have great ideas but they aren’t available for lunch. Many of them have written books. What a great way to expose yourself to powerful ideas. If reading isn’t your thing, get over it by starting with books on subjects that really interest you and read small bits at a time. It’s worth it. If you are like me, you have lots of windshield time. When I’m busy & can’t find the to read, I listen to books written by smart people on Audible.
This is so vast topic, I will try to expand on my thoughts on this by sharing my experience on how I got hooked on to reading.
If reading is not your thing at all, you can surely listen to different podcasts or watch short videos on the skill on YouTube.
4. Write your own book or teach someone
Ahh, not a book, book; but keep a journal/Diary is what I mean. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but the act of writing down a little of what you learned each day really helps you lock it in. Maintaining a journal can be a great way to indulge in a little self-reflection. The lost art of putting pen to paper can prove to be highly beneficial for keeping your sanity and act as a positive reinforcement. By writing down the positives of a day, you can identify the good patterns in your behaviour. With tweeting, WhatsApp-ing and status postings, we have gotten really good at sharing our views and opinions publicly, it can be a little worthwhile to write down your thoughts in private too- what you learned, how you learned, what were the difficulties etc.
You can register on Teachmitra to teach other peers just like you. The peers sometime are looking for a mentor who themselves are learning & relate to them quickly.
One more thing!
Remember: use-it-or-lose-it.
An experienced education professional once told me that the average adult draws like an eight year old. Given the number of adults I’ve heard complain about their own drawing and, to speak frankly, having seen some of their attempts, this doesn’t surprise me at all! Why is this? To me, the answer seems obvious — because many of us actually stop drawing at around this age. In fact, drawing, like most things in life, is something that with time and effort can be improved and learnt to a high level.
If you find something that you enjoy and want to continue doing, make time in your schedule to do it. You can still pursue new interests, but if you finally learned to paint, play a guitar, or cook your favourite dish, make time for what lights you up. use-it-or-lose-it.
So what are you waiting for? Go out there and learn to play the piano or how to make a cake or whatever it is that you fancy.
Let me know your views in comment section.
Inputs from: HuffPost, YourStory, Freedom Personal Development, WilliamsburgLanding.org
