Benefits of Lifelong Learning
Written by Vicky on 8th December 2011
Does ‘learning’ conjure up school desks and musty old books? It’s a word we often associate with our school days but it is something we can carry on in to adulthood and gain a lot of pleasure from.
In fact, studies have shown that learning new skills can help fend off dementia and ease depression. Our brains act a little like a muscle and need to be used and challenged in different ways in order to grow and become stronger.
Learning something new needn’t be confined to books or evening classes, what about a skill you’ve never considered before such as painting, flower arranging or baking? Or it could be something more physical like dancing, playing tennis or skiing. Perhaps putting a specific time aside to take a ‘learn to’ holiday is a way to get a taster of your new hobby.
So why don’t more of us venture into new territory? Is it fear of failure maybe? Or lack of time? A few of these quotes may help you to reconsider:
- Commit yourself to lifelong learning. The most valuable asset you’ll ever have is your mind and what you put into it.-Brian Tracy
- Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. – Gandhi
- You learn more quickly under the guidance of experienced teachers. You waste a lot of time going down blind alleys if you have no one to lead you. – W. Somerset Maugham
- You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself. – Galileo Galilei
Taking a break to discover new things will benefit mind, body and soul. What new things will you learn to do in 2012?
