The Wisdom of Age:
How Lifelong Learning Keeps You Young
It’s a commonly perceived notion that as you age you gain more experience and grow wiser. By this logic wisdom goes hand in hand with aging. But what if I told you that you can grow wiser and keep yourself young at the same time?
Lifelong learning can help you achieve just that. By acquiring knowledge and skills throughout your life you’re equipping yourself with the tools necessary to think critically, making decisions effectively and even outwit people younger than you. Let’s explore the science behind lifelong learning and how it impacts our lives.
Cognitive Benefits
One of the major benefits of lifelong learning is the impact it has on our cognitive functions. Research has shown that by engaging in activities like learning a new language, a musical instrument, or a new skill can improve our cognitive abilities regardless of our age.
According to a study, older adults who engage in a number of stimulating activities experience lower levels of cognitive decline over the years. (Lifelong Learning: A Key Weapon in Delaware’s Fight Against Cognitive Decline. Flexman, Ruth.)
People who keep learning throughout their lives and acquiring knowledge and new skills are also more likely to experience improved memory retention and lower risk of dementia.
Psychological Benefits
As you grow older and wiser, you have experienced a lot, learnt crucial life lessons, and weathered storms. You’re more emotionally stable and resilient than you were at 18 for example. Lifelong learning can help provide you with invaluable emotional support and boost your self-confidence.
Research by Cathie Hammond reveals that lifelong learning is directly correlated to the highest levels of happiness, leading to higher self-esteem and self-efficacy. (The Impact of Lifelong Learning on Happiness and Well-being. Hammond, C.)
People who are lifelong learners generally feel better about themselves and are more resilient in the face of any obstacles thrown their way. According to Utah State University, these people deal with stress better as they have a greater sense of hope and purpose.
Social Benefits
Lifelong learning is also beneficial to one’s social life as it provides the opportunity to forge new connections and make friends. When you take part in educational programs, camps, or volunteering organizations, you’re able to meet people from different ages and walks of life, befriend them, and even learn from them.
You’re also more likely to be exposed to new ideas, perspectives, and ways of life. This helps make you more culturally aware and improves your tolerance towards various ideas or beliefs that you were previously unaware of. People who engage in such diverse learning experiences are more open-minded and more likely to accept and embrace cultural diversity.
Benefits to Physical Health
Although lifelong learning and physical health seem very unrelated, there’s a surprising correlation between both. Engaging in cognitive activities and learning new things throughout your life can help reduce the risk of age-related diseases and help maintain overall health and well-being.
If you’re learning a new sport or taking one up as a hobby, you’re making lifestyle choices that help you remain physically fit and healthy for a longer period of time. An increase in physical activity also helps ward off premature aging and ensures you stay active and at your best.
The wisdom of age doesn’t mean that you’re no longer youthful and have to be more mature all the time and adhere to certain expectations that people have of someone your age. Lifelong learning can help you get the best of both worlds. By engaging in continuous learning, we can embrace the wisdom of age while keeping our minds and hearts forever young.