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