Why Lifelong Learning Is Vital to Brain Health

Some of us can't wait to be done with all aspects of school, while others feel a deep urge to maintain that educational momentum and continue learning. Here's an argument for the latter.

Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind Lifelong Learning Is Vital to Brain Health   Some of us can't wait to be done with all aspects of school, while others feel a deep urge to maintain that educational momentum and continue learning. Here's an argument for the latter: Research tells us that keeping our minds active well beyond that graduation cap toss can keep our brains in good health even into late age.   A recent study from the University of Zurich found that some of the degenerative processes of the brain associated with aging aren't as commonly seen in the brains of academics. The study followed over 200 senior citizens for more than seven years. Not only did those with an academic background show fewer signs of brain degeneration, but they also processed information more quickly and accurately.   What we can glean from this study is that education and lifelong learning help us use our brains to their maximum potential. Physiologically speaking, the more we use our brain the more oxygen it requires, which signals your body to send more blood to the area. This helps it remain healthy.   In that sense, you can think of your brain as a muscle: the more it's used, the more flexible, quick, and dependable it is.     The more you keep the mind engaged the healthier you are for it, whereas if you don't use it regularly, it is more likely to atrophy."  — JULIAN LAGOY, MD What This Means For You While a life of academia isn't the path for everyone, there's ample opportunity to pursue lifelong learning opportunities throughout our life.   This might be as simple as having deeply engaging and philosophical conversations with others, watching educational TV shows or documentaries, reading books, learning a new craft, or studying a new language.   On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week What's Inspiring Us The Philosophize This! podcast is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning more about philosophy. Each 20 to 30-minute episode does an excellent job of explaining complex thoughts and burning questions. Products to Help You Feel Your Best Hosted by Vox, Explained is a Netflix series of quick-hit documentaries that cover a wide range of topics. These include our fascination with fairy tales, how hurricanes work, our skin's role, and how dogs have become humankind's best friend. Dabbling with the idea of learning a new language? Dubbed "the world's #1 way to learn a language," Duolingo is a free resource that teaches via quick, bite-sized lessons. Another fun way to exercise your brain is to do a puzzle book. Here are our top picks. Read These Next 10 Ways to Improve Your Brain Fitness READ NOW How Experience Changes Your Brain Plasticity READ NOW Use These Reading Material Ideas for Brain Health READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy