Whether you were homeschooled or enrolled in public school, we all have memories of discovering new things. Some of us may have been drawn to science, math, or psychology, while others loved becoming immersed in stories of days gone by. Whatever topic you were passionate about as a kid, learning more about this subject can spark sweet nostalgia. On the other end, exploring a new topic can be exciting and illuminating. Plus, there are many other benefits of continuing education beyond the pure enjoyment of it. Why not learn a new language, take a class at your local community college, or pick up a new instrument? You’ve got nothing to lose.
Benefits of Continuing Education
Cognitive Health
Cognitive health refers to your ability to think, learn, and remember. According to the Stanford Center on Longevity, seniors in the United States are showing less cognitive decline compared to past generations. What could be the cause of the positive change? Researchers at The Center for Vital Longevity believe that cognitive training, like learning new things, has a positive impact on neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to “the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience (source).”
Enhanced Social Life
Many people can name one friend who always seems to have the best conversation topics. This is because when you learn new things, it’s natural to want to share your findings with your friends. By continuing your education, you’ll have more things to talk about within your social circle, and you might even become an expert on a topic (at least an expert in your friends’ eyes). For example, people could start to turn to you for help with identifying bird calls or suggestions for books about French history.
A Sense of Accomplishment
Are you familiar with the satisfied feeling of finishing a novel? As you finally close the book for the last time, it’s nice to just sit and dwell in the feeling for a while. The same goes for learning something new. Perhaps it’s seeing the results of the quilt you learned to sew, the moment you finally nail down a song on the piano, or finally being able to hold a conversation in Spanish. Indulge in the feeling of accomplishment. Then, pick up a more complex quilt pattern, a more challenging piece of music, or an entire book written in Spanish and keep learning. The exciting thing is, there’s always more to discover.
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As you now know, the benefits of continuing education make the effort well worth it. At Springhouse Village, we understand the importance of lifelong learning and living a social, healthy, and active lifestyle. That’s why we make it easy for our residents to be active participants in our community. Whether it’s encouraging our residents to enjoy the benefits of shopping at local farmers markets, providing places where they can practice and share their hobbies, or creating continuing education opportunities by connecting with local schools, we are continually striving to help our residents thrive. To learn more about the activities, amenities, and services we offer, contact Springhouse Village today.