| If you're approaching retirement age and | | | | and reap the benefits in any number of ways |
| wondering what you can do to enjoy a long and | | | | such as: |
| healthy life in your golden years then | | | | |
| consider adopting the attitude of a lifelong | | | | - Improved self-confidence |
| learner. Most people think of lifelong | | | | |
| learning as being confined to academic | | | | - Improved dexterity and hand-eye |
| endeavors however the lifelong learning | | | | co-ordination |
| approach covers all areas of life including | | | | |
| spiritual, social, academic and physical. | | | | - Learn new skills |
| | | | |
| Lifelong learning is based on an attitude of | | | | - Improve memory |
| constantly growing and evolving in various | | | | |
| areas of your life. It is known in nature | | | | - Improve and maintain social skills |
| that whenever anything is not growing it is | | | | |
| decaying and this is also true for us as | | | | - Overcome social isolation |
| humans. No matter what a persons age there | | | | |
| are great benefits to be gained by | | | | - Improve physical, mental, and emotional |
| challenging yourself in all areas of your | | | | health |
| life including physical challenges such as | | | | |
| exercise, mental challenges such as a course | | | | - Improved outlook on life |
| of academic study or even other areas of | | | | |
| learning such as challenging your limiting | | | | When deciding to embark on a course of study |
| beliefs or habits, enhancing your | | | | or activity a good starting point is to think |
| communication skills, or even expanding your | | | | about the things you might enjoy doing or |
| comfort zone. | | | | learning. For physical activities many gyms |
| | | | have fitness programs not only for young |
| Lifelong learners live by the motto "you're | | | | people but also senior programs as well. |
| never too old to learn" and this attitude is | | | | Another fun activity is Tai Chi which is very |
| the reason that people who approach life with | | | | popular with many seniors as it helps to calm |
| this mindset are seen to not only live longer | | | | the mind and also improves breathing. |
| but also enjoy a better quality of life. This | | | | |
| can be attributed to the law of nature known | | | | Some hobbies that are popular include |
| as the "use it or lose it" law. As we age it | | | | painting, craft making, flower arranging, |
| can be observed that those who are | | | | pottery and wood carving with all of these |
| considerably inactive develop mobility | | | | being relatively inexpensive and easy to |
| problems as they age, whereas those who are | | | | learn. When is comes to a course of study it |
| quite active do not develop these mobility | | | | is mostly an individual choice weather to |
| problems. A similar effect takes place with | | | | participate in an adult learning program |
| anyone who takes no part in any mentally | | | | through a local community center or to do an |
| challenging activity or pursuit. After years | | | | extensive study program through a college. |
| of mental inactivity you lose the mental | | | | |
| abilities and clarity that you once had and | | | | Regardless of your individual choices the |
| when old age approaches the effects of not | | | | important thing is to be involved in a number |
| giving your brain the stimulation required to | | | | of physical, social, spiritual, or academic |
| grow becomes more evident. | | | | activities and approach these with the right |
| | | | attitude. By adopting the lifelong learner |
| The Good News | | | | approach to life you will not only extend |
| | | | your life but reap the benefits of a quality |
| The good news is that no matter what your age | | | | of life that most people your age could only |
| you can adopt the lifelong learner attitude | | | | dream of. |