Just like maintained physical activity benefits us as we age, so does sustained learning over time. Commonly referred to as “lifelong learning,” the concept of learning new skills, ideas, artistic pursuits and more keep your brain healthy.
What Happens to Your Brain Over Time
While growing older, certain aspects of brain function related to memory may not seem as sharp as they once were. Aspects of day-to-day life like the following may become more difficult:
- Recalling the name of a person or place
- Starting and finishing more than one task at the same time
- General attention: you may notice a lack of recall, especially with details
Experiencing the above is actually quite common. High mental flexibility is a reality in your 20s, but memory declines start to happen in your late 30s. These types of mental “blips” can also be attributed to information overload and distraction, signaling when the brain can’t handle any more processing in that moment.
There are positives to a more mature brain, including the vast number of experiences to draw from, better communication skills, and, related, better language skills.
Still, the presence of these brain blips may be enough to show you that your brain may also need some exercise. This is especially true entering your 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond.
Why Your Brain Needs Exercise
But why does your brain need exercise? The answer is physical.
Located as an outer, insular layer around your nerves, Myelin is a lipid-based membrane of fatty acids and protein. It’s an important part of neural connection and communication – especially in the brain and spinal cord. It protects long nerve fibers through your body, linking your brain to your muscles. Myelin helps increase the rate at which nerve impulses occur and is essential to keeping your nerves functioning well. When damaged, your nervous system, likewise, is affected.
Learning something new promotes Myelin production around the new neural connections that have formed through the process of learning. Increased Myelin means smoother and faster connections between nerves, meaning the brain can work more efficiently. Clearer thoughts and the “sharpness” factor that may have been missing can actually be improved.
Additionally, when you are using your brain, more oxygen and blood pump to it, similar to physical exercise increasing blood flow and oxygen distribution throughout your body. Using and challenging your brain can keep brain function at optimal levels over time.
How You Can Keep Your Brain Healthy
There are many different ways to practice intellectually exercising your brain, from learning a new language, to trying a new craft like quilting or knitting, or learning a new game. Of course, academia is always an option – learning aspects of history you didn’t previously know or joining a class to learn the foundations of poetry, for example, also fit the bill. Joining a trivia group or even watching a documentary can also exercise your brain.
The key is to seek out daily opportunities for this intellectual stimulation. At Sun Health, we provide many lifelong learning opportunities to keep you interested – and your brain healthy! With a library, computer room, art classes and hobby classes, as well as continuous learning seminars, lectures and educational workshops, there are many ways to learn something refreshingly new.
How Sun Health Communities Can Help!
Sun Health believes that constant learning is indispensable to healthy aging and has made it an essential piece of our partnership with Masterpiece Living®, a program that challenges stereotypes associated with aging by offering a lifestyle that integrates physical, social, spiritual and intellectual activity.
Our three Life Plan Communities, and the Sun Health At Home program, offer many opportunities for all kinds of learning and new experiences. Contact our friendly residency counselors to learn more about how you can keep your brain healthy and engaged at our communities.
