It’s really important to keep our brains active throughout our lives.

Here are 5 reasons why we should never stop learning – however old we get.

5 reasons to never stop learning

Humans are naturally inquisitive; we have a strong instinct to find out about the world around us. As we age, our curiosity may fade, but it’s really important to keep our brains active throughout our lives. Here are 5 reasons why we should never stop learning – however old we get.

1.    Use it or lose it

Just like physical exercise, regular workouts are vital to keep the brain healthy. And, like physical training, ideally you’ll stretch yourself a little further than your comfort zone, to keep your brain super-fit. The evidence is there: lifelong learning is a fantastic way to stay healthy as you age. By learning new information, we can actually change the structure of our brains by forging new neural connections. It’s no surprise, then, that keeping the mind active has been proven to improve the memory and reduce the risk of dementia.

2.    Be happier and boost your confidence

Did you know that acquiring new facts and skills can trigger your brain’s reward centre to make you feel good? You may have experienced it yourself; learning can trigger a rush of dopamine, a chemical that produces feelings of joy and well-being – and this can make changes in the brain that last a lifetime. As well as a dose of euphoria, gaining new skills will also boost your self-confidence; there’s no better feeling than setting yourself a new goal, then going out and achieving it.

3.    Bring it all together

The more you learn, the more your existing knowledge fits together. Think of it as a jigsaw puzzle; by building up a broad knowledge base, you’ll be better able to understand things in a new context, with the help of the extra information. Connecting these extra pieces of the puzzle together can help us to problem-solve creatively by thinking outside the box.

4.    Supplement your skills

As well as enhancing your understanding of the world around you, additional training can help boost your performance in the workplace. Lifelong learning doesn’t have to be all about formal study; practical training is really valuable, too. Even if you’re well versed in the theory, professional training in softer skills like leadership and people management can help you to do your job more effectively.

5.    Adapt to a changing world

In the future, the tasks required by many of today’s jobs may be taken over by automated machines. Other, new occupations will evolve thanks to the development of new and exciting technology. With science and technology changing the face of the workplace, it’s never been so important to keep our skills up-to-date in order to adapt and stay current. Continued learning in your professional field will ensure that you don’t fall behind, but stretching yourself and acquiring new skills can also give you an edge, to help move your career onwards and upwards.

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