Learning: How to Protect Your Aging Brain
You've probably noticed it. Learning something new at 60 feels very different from learning it at 16. It takes longer to click, more repetition to stick, and if you don't keep using it, it quietly disappears. But here's what the naysayers don't tell you: learning, especially later in life, is one of the most powerful ways to protect your brain as it ages.
And it's not all bad news on the aging brain front either. A few things actually improve with age:
Metacognition - a sharper awareness of your own thinking, strengths, and limitations
State curiosity - that heightened sense of interest you feel in the moment when you encounter something new and unfamiliar
Positivity effect - a natural shift toward processing and remembering positive information over negative
Any dog can learn new tricks. The science backs it up.
The Science: Neuroplasticity
We've touched on this concept before, but it's worth revisiting here because it's the foundation of everything.
Neuroplasticity is your brain's ability to reorganise itself based on incoming information. Every time you learn something new, your brain builds new neural pathways. Connections you don't use get pruned away; new ones form in their place. Your brain is never static - it is constantly growing, reshaping, and adapting, at every age.
The more you genuinely engage with new, complex material, the stronger and more extensive that neural network becomes.
Why It's Worth the Effort
The key word here is complex. Sudoku and crosswords, while enjoyable, don't cut it: they're familiar patterns your brain has largely already mapped. The benefits come from learning something that genuinely challenges you:
Slower cognitive decline - delays the onset of memory loss and dementia, with improvements noted even in existing memory issues
Faster processing - learning builds more neural connections AND helps maintain the myelin coating around neurons that speeds transmission, meaning information travels faster and more efficiently through your brain
Greater independence - sharper memory and better problem-solving skills support independent living for longer
Cognitive reserve - building up your brain's capacity to cope with and resist the effects of aging
Confidence and purpose - mastering something new boosts mood, builds self-esteem, and lowers stress
Where to Start
The rule of thumb: whatever you choose should be complex, functional, and require your full engagement to learn. Watching Jeopardy doesn't count… however much it feels like it should.
Some ideas worth considering:
A new language - one of the most comprehensively studied brain-protective activities available
A new piece of technology - a computer, tablet, or smartphone used intentionally and fully
A subject you've never explored - history, philosophy, art, literature
A new motor skill - an instrument, photography, drawing, knitting, woodworking
These are the kinds of activities that don't just pass the time - they actively build the neural architecture that protects your brain for years to come.
Now go forth and use it, young grasshopper. 🧠
Be inquisitive, be safe, and keep living the good life.
Sasha
Full Disclosure: I'm writing this as myself, not as a doctor or your personal trainer. This content is purely educational or my personal thoughts - not in place of medical or health professional advice or treatment. While I’m a Certified Personal Trainer, I’m not a healthcare provider. Seek advice from your health care practitioner before starting physical activity or making serious changes to your health. If you experience any pain or discomfort when participating in the activities, immediately stop and reach out to your health care professional. Please use at your own risk and proceed with caution.