That’s the advice of the experts at Dementia Australia* who say it doesn’t matter what you learn – as long as it’s new to you. A simple way to do this is to set yourself the challenge of learning one new thing every day when you’re retired.  Of course, this can be an admirable objective throughout life but it’s even more important when you’ve retired.

While you’re working the learning seems to come easily - always meeting new colleagues, starting a new project or dealing with new technology. But, once paid work is finished, this doesn’t happen as naturally, and although it’s tempting to stick to the familiar and do the things you’ve always done, it won’t do much for your brain health.

How to start

Go in with a positive attitude – don’t view it as a grudge ‘duty’ you’ll dread. Think of it as an adventure to see the range of things you can learn. Maybe even keep a tally of what you learn each day, week, or month, so you have the satisfaction of reflecting on your progress at the end of the year.      

Stimulate your curiosity

Think about all of those things you’ve wondered about over the years. Perhaps you’ve said to yourself ‘I’d love to know more but I don’t have time’. Now you do, so here’s your chance. Maybe you’ve always wondered about ancient worlds or drawing portraits or upholstering chairs but didn’t know where to start – now is the time to find out. 

Ideas to get you going

Music: Learn an instrument, listen to music you haven’t heard before or join a choir and enjoy the many benefits of communal singing

Move: Try a new style of dancing, perhaps salsa or ballet. The Royal Academy of Dance in the UK runs Dance for Lifelong Wellbeing specifically for older adults with their oldest dancer aged 102. Participants are experiencing many health benefits including improved balance, core strength and studies have shown dancing is the most effective activity to ward off deterioration of the brain while learning routines stimulates brain activity.^

Explore:Learn about your area or new parts of your city by walking or using public transport. Try a new place each week, chosen in alphabetical order, to prompt you to explore somewhere new. 

Learn: Start a course at your local University of the 3rd Age or community centre. Pick a topic you wouldn’t normally consider and give it a go. 

Research: Investigate your street or neighbourhood. You might have lived there for many years but may not know the history of the houses, who’s lived there, how it was settled. Take it on as a project and involve your neighbours. You’ll learn but you’ll also meet other locals.

Eat: Cooking can be a chore if we fall back on the old staples but it can be fun if it’s used as a way of learning about other cultures. Try a new cuisine every week with research and experimentation. Maybe take a class to learn the basics and then reward yourself with a meal out to taste the food of the professionals. SBS Food website is a great place to learn about different cuisines with recipes to follow.~

Read: Libraries can be a wonderful source of inspiration. Ask the librarians for tips on new authors and topics you may not have considered. Perhaps join a book club.   

Grow: Gardening can be both relaxing and stimulating, physically and mentally. If you’ve always wanted to grow your own vegetables, start now. The health benefits of eating your own produce are well documented, while the exercise gardening provides has a positive impact on stress and bone strength. Even if you don’t have much space, tomatoes or herbs in pots can grow successfully. +

Technology: You might think you’re tech savvy but, as it’s always changing, there’s always more to learn. Perhaps it’s time to digitise all of those old family photos and share them with your cousins. 

Volunteer: It can be the best way to meet new friends, give back to the community and develop new skills. Numerous organisations need assistance; it’s just a matter of finding the right opportunity for you.  Check https://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/ for ideas.

Create: How you create is up to you – build, write, make, draw, paint, invent, design – ideally, try them all. 

The important thing is to keep learning something new every day. 
 
* https://www.dementia.org.au/information/risk-reduction/keep-your-life-in-mind/challenge-your-mind
^ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3006889/Could-silver-swan-stop-ageing-strengthens-bones-staves-dementia-beats-aches-no-wonder-older-women-taking-ballet.html
~ https://www.sbs.com.au/food/
+ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/gardening-for-older-people