The importance of lifelong learning for cognitive reserve
Participating in lifelong learning is key to cognitive reserve and keeping your brain healthy. Here's what you need to know.
What is lifelong learning?
Lifelong learning is the term for education beyond school. It's ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated for either personal or professional reasons. The importance of lifelong learning has been increasing due to predicted life expectancy and the desire to stay in good physical and mental condition. The Pew Trust has found that 87% of employees already acknowledge the need to learn new skills as they age.
What is cognitive reserve?
Alzheimer's Research UK says building cognitive reserve could protect against memory and thinking decline. Keeping your brain active may help the brain become more adaptable so it can compensate for age-related brain changes and health conditions that affect the brain.
Some types of cognitive learning have substantial benefits. In the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) trial, healthy adults 65 and older participated in 10 sessions of memory training, reasoning training, or processing-speed training. The sessions improved participants' mental skills, with evidence suggesting these benefits persisted for two years.
How does life-long learning help with cognitive reserve?
The fear of cognitive decline increases as we get older. No one wants to experience problems with impaired memory, problem-solving and reasoning. A recent study found that those who engage in lifelong mentally and socially stimulating activities reduce their risk for cognitive decline. Reading, dancing, playing board games, creating art, playing an instrument, and other activities that require mental and social engagement stimulate cognitive fitness.
What subjects are worth learning?
Everything is worth learning when it comes to cognitive reserve. Studies show that people who engage in personally meaningful activities, such as volunteering or hobbies, feel happier and healthier. Learning new skills work too. For example, one study found that adults who learned quilting or digital photography had more memory improvement than those who did less cognitively demanding activities.
Some research on engagement in activities such as music, dance, and creative writing has also shown promise for improving quality of life.
Studies have also found further education also improves cognitive reserve, especially with languages, sports, and any skills that challenge you or force you to think in a new way. There is also a positive to participating in intellectually stimulating activities such as using a computer, playing games, reading books and engaging in crafts like knitting. These are associated with a 30 to 50 per cent decrease in the chances of developing mild cognitive impairment.
Other studies suggest learning new languages, travelling, and, most importantly, choosing activities that absorb your mind, draw you in, and engage your thought processes.
How First Tutors can help
Aside from academic tutors, First Tutors has a range of teachers in the areas of Music, Languages, Dance, the Arts and Business. If you are looking for professional private lessons, First Tutors profiles teachers across the UK. Remember, there's no faster way to learn than through the dedicated attention of a teacher working with you on a one-to-one basis.
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