As humans, we never fully stop learning. According to a report by AARP, 55% of Americans ages 45+ are actively learning new skills and information, and 68% plan to in the future. Not only is lifelong learning enjoyable, but it can also be beneficial to your health and long-term well-being.
From pursuing old and new hobbies to attending adult education classes or listening to podcasts, lifelong learning can take many forms, all helping to support your mental acuity and enrich day-to-day life. Here are 5 key benefits of lifelong learning for seniors, and easy ways you can start learning today!
Strengthen Your Cognitive Abilities
One of the major advantages of adult education and lifelong learning is that it keeps your brain engaged and strengthens your cognitive skills. As we age, factors like natural aging or simply falling out of practice with learning can make it harder to solve problems and complete tasks quickly. Lifelong learning keeps the mind sharp, helping it stay receptive to new information and potentially reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other cognitive decline.
Decrease Your Stress
Unlike the stress of mandatory subjects in school, lifelong learning allows you to choose pursuits that truly interest you. Exploring activities like playing an instrument, crafting, picking up a new sport, or diving into an engaging podcast are excellent ways to keep your mind active and relieve stress. And if subjects like math or history do appeal to you, there’s an abundance of fascinating podcasts, articles, and books to explore and enjoy!
Enjoy A Sense Of Accomplishment
Another important health benefit of lifelong learning is the sense of personal fulfillment and purpose the task can bring to your everyday life. Without a structured schedule, it’s easy to let the days drift by, but lifelong learning offers a framework for your mornings or afternoons. It provides exciting new experiences, goals to work toward, and a boost in confidence with each achievement. Having the time to discover—or rediscover—a passion or interest can be one of the most rewarding joys of retirement!
Maintain A Rich Social Life
Learning in retirement is also a wonderful way to stay socially active and connect with new or current friends and neighbors. Participating in classes or group activities allows you to meet people with similar interests, broadening your social network and helping to prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Stay Engaged With The World Around You
Lifelong learning, especially when it comes to today’s technology, is an excellent way to stay informed and up-to-date on modern topics and innovations. With new programs, gadgets, and online tools constantly emerging—many designed specifically for older adults—you can use these resources to stay current on politics, global issues, scientific discoveries, and more.
How to Get Started With Lifelong Learning
The great thing about lifelong learning is that it can take many forms, and how you choose to learn is entirely up to you (in fact, reading this article means you’re already on your way!). Here are some easy ways to get started:
- Explore a new hobby or revisit an old one (YouTube offers countless instructional videos on nearly any interest!)
- Learn an instrument
- Join a sports/activities team
- Watch a documentary or listen to a podcast
- Experiment with a new recipe in the kitchen
Discover Lifelong Learning At Moldaw
A premier retirement community located in Palo Alto, CA, Moldaw makes daily lifelong learning for seniors easy and enjoyable with a range of everyday opportunities on- and off-campus. Uniquely situated on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life, our community offers intergenerational, multicultural experiences including year-round performances and lectures, educational classes, and art courses. Contact us to learn more about our exciting community and schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus in person.
