September Is A Great Time For New Learning

Hi there, and welcome back!

Early autumn always feels like the time to learn something new, no doubt because of all those childhood years of starting school again in September. But once we’re adults, is it really worth taking up new fields of study? Can you really teach an old dog new tricks?

You most certainly can—and it’s more than worth your while to do so. Ipsit Vahia at Harvard-affiliated Maclean Hospital in Boston found learning a new skill slows cognitive ageing and increases self-confidence. In particular, learning a second language appears to confer powerful benefits, although any complex skill you’d like to master is worth the effort. Denise Park at the University of Texas gave adults aged 60-90 the opportunity either to learn quilting or digital photography, and found that after three months of learning, participants showed a wide-ranging improvement in memory when compared to adults who’d done crossword puzzles—a great pastime, but one that doesn’t involve as much new learning—over the same time period.

When you pair your new learning with a resolve to take regular physical exercise—in our case, think daily dog walks—the benefits are even greater. Louis Bherer and colleagues across Canada looked at a number of studies that tested the benefits of regular exercise. Their conclusion is a strong one: exercise helps prevent age-related cognitive decline.

Learning and exercising. What a great way to usher in autumn and keep your mind young!

In my next post I’ll give you some easy ways to work that new learning goal into your daily schedule. 

Warmest wishes,

Linda