What Are the Benefits of Learning Something New?
Focusing your brain on learning something new comes with a multitude of benefits. If you want to maintain your independence for as long as possible, learning is a great way to keep your brain sharp. Learning exercises your brain, promoting oxygen and blood flow. Memory, attention span, and cognitive processing are all exercised by learning, strengthening each part and slowing age-related decline. Far from simply preventing decline, however, learning can promote the production of new brain cells even late into adulthood. Setting a goal to learn something new changes your focus from maintaining your current life skills to growing as a person. This leads to a more positive outlook on life, as you now have new experiences and goals to look forward to.
Learning can also support your social life as you age. When you join a class, you are introduced to a new set of people who all share a common interest in what you are learning together. Most classes also support socialization through required discussions in the classroom. While learning a new subject or skill provides a common interest with a whole new set of people, it also boosts your self-confidence as you gain mastery over that skill or subject.
Opening yourself up to learning new things also has practical benefits. Keeping your skills updated in a world that is constantly changing and progressing is invaluable for maintaining your independence as you age. Training your brain to adapt to new information and unfamiliar situations helps you prepare to confidently face the challenges that come with aging.
What Should I Start Learning?
Beneficial learning comes in many forms. One way to pick something to learn is to look at your interests and find something similar, but unfamiliar to you. If you are a crafty person, consider taking a class on photography, pottery, or other new artistic skill. If you are intellectually inclined, look into taking a class offered by a local college. If you are more practically-minded, try learning a new language or improving your technological skills. However, getting outside of your comfort zone and learning something totally unfamiliar to you has the most benefits for your brain, since it exercises areas of the brain that you don’t typically use in your regular hobbies. Don’t be afraid to explore topics and skills that are outside of your usual interests!
If you are interested in taking a college class on a new subject, look into these local options:
- Bakersfield College offers tuition-free courses to adults who want to take classes in a variety of subjects.
- The Levan Institute at Bakersfield Community College is specifically designed for adults over 65 who are interested in continuing education.
- The Bakersfield branch of California State University has a 60+ Club for seniors interested in learning in a community setting
If you are looking for creative classes, Bakersfield has several programs available:
- The Bakersfield Museum of Art has an adult education program with classes on watercolor painting, mural painting, and drawing.
- The Kern County Library hosts several arts-and-crafts events for adults throughout the year.
- The Bakersfield Senior Center provides sewing classes and other educational events for seniors.
Whatever new skill or subject you decide to learn, have patience with yourself! Don’t compare your progress with others. Instead, focus on what you have accomplished since you started. Remember that challenging your brain with something unfamiliar provides holistic benefits!
Our Aging Life Care Managers® are here to help you meet aging challenges with confidence and expert guidance. Reach out to Infinity Care Solutions today to learn more!
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