“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” - Henry Ford
Introduction | Importance of Learning | Neuroplasticity | Life Stages | Growth Mind-Set | Enhancing Neuroplasticity | Repetition | Final Thoughts | Takeaway Points | References | Disclaimer
Introduction
Education and learning are commonly associated with formal school settings. As soon as we have completed this stage of our lives, we tend to stick to what we have learned over those years and move on, as if it were the end of the learning process. However, we never stop learning, and we never should. Our natural curiosity is what drives our development, both physically and psychologically. It is part of our survival mode. We need to know as much as we find necessary to thrive in this world. Furthermore, learning and acquiring new skills are forms of exercise for our brains. The brain needs to be challenged to be able to maintain its highest functions. It has a very large capacity for everything that is introduced to it. It is like a sponge that absorbs every piece of new information by creating new neural connections. Similarly, if our brains don't engage in new activities and aren't trained often enough, these neural connections will deteriorate, and our overall life quality may deteriorate as well, especially as we age.
The importance of Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning describes a self-motivated and self-initiated form of learning that fulfills each individual's interests and helps achieve satisfaction. Therefore, it is fully up to us what we want to invest our time and energy in. It should serve our goals and plans and help build our confidence and self-worth. Acquiring new knowledge and skills throughout our lives benefits our overall motivation to further improve ourselves, gives us a sense of accomplishment, creates new possibilities, and exposes us to not only new challenges but also new people. It impacts many aspects of our existence, regardless of our age.
What is Neuroplasticity?
Continuous learning has yet another tangible and very profound effect on human development.
It was mentioned earlier that the acquisition of new competencies and abilities trains our brain, which in response can" [...] modify, change and adapt both its structure and function throughout life and in response to experience."[1]
Such a unique ability of the human brain is referred to as neuroplasticity. The term plasticity indicates that the flexibility of this organ is influenced by what it is exposed to. The prefix neuro, on the other hand, points to neurons and neural connections that build our brain and whole nervous system. In this context, neuroplasticity means the ability of the nerve cells to change and adapt.
Life Stages and Neuroplasticity
Our brains change throughout our lives. They are capable of learning and assimilating new experiences from birth up to old age. We know that children are very good and quick learners. They intuitively expose themselves to new things to support their development. Even though the rate and speed with which we learn change as we grow older, our brains can maintain their plasticity if we challenge them with new things. It is up to us to cultivate our natural curiosity and become continuous learners. Below are a few helpful facts to know about human development concerning brain plasticity and life stages.
Childhood
A newborn baby's brain is equipped with 100 billion neurons. Each neuron has 2500 synapses that allow neural connections to form. In the first three years of life, children experience rapid growth and development, and the number of synapses in every single neuron reaches 15,000. To compare, an adult brain possesses half that amount of synapses per neuron. Additionally, children go through various critical periods[2] of development, such as language acquisition and the development of vision or motor skills. All those skills are learned rather effortlessly in early childhood, which indicates the very high plasticity of the brain and its readiness to learn.
Adolescence
Our brain's great capacity for learning does not stop in childhood. It prevails through adolescence as well. Teenagers' brains are still developing rapidly, but not only through new experiences but also through reinforcing what they have learned so far and establishing even stronger neural connections. The maturation of those connections promotes better communication between different brain regions. Such progress facilitates complex thinking and emotional regulation. This is when teenagers shift from the safety of family life to their interactions with their peers. They are more likely to explore and absorb the influences of their environment.
Adulthood
We mentioned earlier that the adult brain creates far fewer synapses than the brain of a child, which indicates that the plasticity of that organ diminishes with age. It is true that as we age, we lose many of the neural links. However, it does not mean that when we grow up, we are unable to influence our nerve cells. Our brain still has the capability of creating new neurons [aka neurogenesis] and new links between nerve cells that facilitate learning and change. The brain needs to be stimulated and trained to maintain its plasticity. It has been established that regular exercise[3],[4] [increased oxygen flow], paying attention [mindfulness meditation][5], and continuous learning[6],[7] are the best activities to support neuroplasticity.
A Growth Mindset
As we age, the biggest obstacle to keeping the brain plastic and functioning properly is not a lack of opportunities to learn but our attitude toward education. Many people tend to give in to the idea that our education ends with college. The years we spent in school seem to be a closed chapter, and when 'real life' begins, many of us limit further education to meeting the work-related requirements for mandatory training and courses. Thus, the way we care for ourselves, whether it is through diet, physical activity, or continuous learning, is entirely up to us. Developing a mindset that embraces change and nurtures curiosity and novelties is a key element to sustained neuroplasticity.
How to enhance Neuroplasticity
There are multiple types of activities and practices that can boost brain plasticity. The research on this topic leaves us with many options to choose from. You don't need to follow them all to improve your neuroplasticity, but it is good to know what habits may disturb neurogenesis. Pick these activities that fit into your lifestyle. Implement them gradually and see what works best for you. The activities that promote neuroplasticity are:
Repetition is a key
Establishing new habits that encourage neurogenesis and neuroplasticity requires time. To form new neural connections that become permanent and build new patterns of behavior, it needs constant reinforcement and repetition. Such an attempt to rewire the brain takes energy and effort but can bring great results in terms of how this organ functions. When you try to learn something new or train an unfamiliar skill, it might take you out of your comfort zone. Some people find it challenging to even make it to the class that they are taking. However, with repetition and consistency, these uncomfortable feelings will diminish as your brain adapts to the new circumstances. Being mindful of the fact that such a state of things is temporary helps overcome any doubts.
Final Thoughts
Staying active, both physically and mentally, is an important factor that impacts our functioning, especially as we age. Both physical exercise and continuous learning facilitate brain health, neurogenesis, and neuroplasticity. It was once believed that the adult brain was incapable of change. We now know that even though the human brain loses some of its plasticity as the years go by, it is still able to learn and develop new neural connections. Thus, it can assimilate new information and train new skills at any stage of life. This unique quality tends to be underutilized since many of us do not challenge ourselves enough and stay stagnant. Cognitive development keeps our brains young and prevents neurodegeneration, which can be associated with dementia[19].
Takeaway Points
Lifelong learning and neuroplasticity are directly connected.
Neuroplasticity refers to both structural and functional changes in the brain.
Neurogenesis is the body's capability to create new neurons.
Neuroplasticity changes throughout the lifespan.
It is a myth that brain plasticity is a feature of young brains only.
There exist multiple ways to enhance neuroplasticity.
Developing a growth mindset is key to maintaining a flexible brain.
Consistency in learning helps create strong neural connections and form new habits.
References
This article contains 19 citations:
Disclaimer
Read carefully: