If you were anything like me, going to school was a chore. Something I had to do because my parents said so, and in fact, probably even more importantly, the law said so too. For me personally, I didn’t enjoy learning, didn’t thrive particularly, and, looking back, I feel I wasted, well, far too much time. I don’t say this negatively – it’s just how I was at the time – but I meandered through school doing average things and getting average grades.
Do I regret that?
Perhaps (talk about sitting on the fence with that answer!) But, what I mean is, yes, there are regrets there, but throughout my adult life, moreso in the past 10 years, I have learnt so much more than I could ever have imagined. I’ll talk more about how that has come about later on in this post, but my point being is that school wasn’t my only opportunity to learn.
In a world that constantly evolves, the idea of lifelong learning isn’t just a trendy catchphrase – it’s a powerful tool for maintaining mental agility, emotional resilience, and overall well-being. Whether you are picking up a new hobby, diving into an online course (more about that later) or simply staying curious, embracing learning throughout your entire – yes, your entire – life can profoundly impact your health and happiness.
Time for a quote I think.
“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” – Albert Einstein.
Wise words there in my mind (Geez, I’ve just realised I’m putting in a quote by Albert Einstein, and then saying wise words there – talk about stating the obvious!) I’m in a quote mood in this blog, so may pop a few more in as we go – watch this space.
Boosting brain power
Engaging in continous learning activities stimulates the brain, promoting neuroplasticity – the brains ability to reorganise itself by forming neural connections. Research indicates that lifelong learning can enhance memory, problem-solving skills, and overall cognitive resilience, helping to stave off age-related cognitive decline.
Moreover, learning new skills or subjects can increase self-esteem and provide a sense of purpose, which are vital for mental health. I have a whole blog section dedocated to purpose in life – head over there if you want to delve deeper into this idea. The act of mastering something new can boost confidence and provide a sense of accomplishment, contributing to a positive self-image.
Enhancing Emotional Well-being
One aspect you may not realise is that learning isn’t just about acquiring knowledge – it can also foster your emotional health. What do I mean by this? Well, engaging in learning activities can reduce stress, alleviate symptoms of depression and improve overall mood. For example, taking part in creative endeavours like painting, writing, or music can serve as emotional outlets, promoting relaxation and emotional expression.
Physical Health Benefits
We’ve looked at both the impact on our biology, more specifically our brain, at how lifelong learning offers benefits. We’ve also seen there are psychological benefits. Believe it or not, keeping your mind active can also have physical benefits too. Studies have shown that engaging in mentally stimulating actvities can improve sleep patterns, reduce the risk of chronic disease and even enhance immune function.
Additionally, the confidence gained from learning new skills can encourage individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles, such as increased physical activity and better diet choices, further enhancing physical health.
Time for another quote.
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” – Henry Ford
Practical Ways to Embrace Lifelong Learning
Incorporating lifelong learning into daily life doesn’t have to be daunting. Going to school from the age of 4 to 16 was pretty daunting – luckily, I’m not suggesting you do that again. Imagine going back to school dinners (semoliona anyone?), playing hide and seek at break time, or listening to the sound of the chalk on the blackboard. Wow, writing this does take me back and perhaps shows my age aswell.
Online Course and Tutorials: These have been such a benefit to me. I feel lucky we have them. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, Alison, edX and Khan Academy offer a plethora of courses on various subjects, from history to technology, often for free or at a low cost. Udemy I would say is my favourite. It has thousands of courses covering everything from coding to cooking, you can study the course at your own pace, and really it is at the fraction of a cost of traditional training. Once you buy a course as-well you will generally have lifetime access, meaning you can dip back into it whenever the fancy takes you.
BBC bitesize: I love this! Here, you really can go back to school without having to go back to school! You can pick primary or secondary level content, pick which subject or subjects you fancy, then wade in with the different material. The content is a mixture of written and video learning, and is broken into bite-size chunks. So if you fancy learning about oxbow lakes again, or quadratic equations (eurrghh), then head over and take a look.
Reading and audiobooks: Regularly reading books, articles, or listening to audiobooks can expand knowledge and stimulate the mind. One site I have used a lot over the years is Everand. Here they have unlimited access to a huge library of e-books, audiobooks and magazines all in one place. It’s flexible, affordable and perfect for curious minds who like variety. At the time of typing, they also have a 30-day free trial so you can take a peek at no cost and see what you think.
Community classes: Local community centres often offer classes in areas such as cooking, gardening, languages, and much more. This provides opportunites for learning of course, picking up new knowledge and skills, and also giving you that all important social contact with others.
Creative hobbies: Engaging in activities such as painting, knitting or photography can be both enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. You’ll get those creative neurons and chemicals firing up in your brain and impress others with your newly found skills.
I mentioned earlier in this post that over the last decade or so I have learnt more than I ever imagined. This so true. I’ll keep this brief however as I’m conscious I could whitter on too much here!
Back in around 2014 I decided to buy a few self-help/personal improvement books for Christmas. This was the first time I had read books of this nature since my Dad bought me ‘How To Win Friends And Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie when I was in my teens (what was my Dad trying to tell me!). I recall thoroughly enjoying that book, so in 2014 I decided to rekindle my initial interest in self-help by purchasing a few books. Although I can’t remember which books they were (that sounds a bit bad really.) I did enjoy them. One thing led to another. I stared to take some online courses through some of the afforementioned online platforms (Udemy, Coursera), then as time went on in around 2020 I commenced a Psychology degree at The Open University. I’m now on my final two modules with this studying and have and still am thoroughly enjoying this experience. All of this whilst working a full-time job and bringing up a family. I say this not to brag – that is just not my style – but just to show that if the desire is there, you can fit a continuing education around your family and work life.
The reason I say all this is because it’s this journey, for want of a better term, that has led me to create this website. I have garnered so much knowledge over this last decade that I reached a point where I felt I wanted to do something with that information – to help people – and this is how Your Better Retirement has come about.
I had to start somewhere. It may have been those first two self-help books I purchased in 2014. It may have been my Dad indicating I had no friends back when I was a teengager (joke!). The point is, I built up a thirst for learning, and now I hope I can give back and share good knowledge that I have picked up. That’s the idea anyway.
Quote time – final one now, promise
“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B.King
The Bottom Line
Lifelong learning is more than an intellectual pursuit – it’s a holistic approach for maintaining and enhancing one’s quality of life. By keeping the brain engaged, fostering emotional resilience, improving physical health, and building social connections, learning throughout life can help individuals thrive in a world that is ever-changing.
So, whether you are starting a new hobby, enrolling in a course, or simply staying curious, remember that learning is a lifelong journey that can lead to a more fulfilling and vibrant life.
Lifelong learning isn’t just about books or courses — it’s about sharing ideas, experiences, and little “aha!” moments along the way. I’d love to hear your thoughts: what’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned recently, or what do you still dream of learning? Drop a comment below and let’s keep the conversation going.