Why is continuous learning important as we age?

Yes, it is true that now a days many jobs demand continuous learning. If for no other reason we need to learn just to keep up with technology and not to become irrelevant or ineffective but there is another reason. Even after retirement it is important for adults to continue to learn because the process of learning keeps the brain young.

Learning causes the brain to build new internal connections between cell assemblies. The more we learn the more connection we create the more agile the brain becomes making us able not just to recall what we have learned but to make new associations among concepts and develop new ideas.

The more we learn the more complex the brain connections become including more complex cell groupings, as well as, electrical and chemical transfers between those cells. It is the creation of these association and the increased electrical energy facilitated by chemical reactions that keep the brain agile. If for some reason one pathway become impassable others exist or are developed.

So keep your brain young! Keep learning. Its not just rewarding and increases your quality of life, it keeps you more mentally agile and younger.

More information about adult learning. There you will find a number of questions answered as well as a page full of links to articles on adult learning.