In June last year, Irene O’Shea, a 100-year-old great
grandmother from Adelaide, strapped on her parachute,
and – with the aid of a professional – jumped out of a
plane at 12,000 feet.
The skydive was both a charity drive (raising money for
Motor Neurone Disease, which claimed the life of her
daughter) and the culmination of a lifelong dream. “It’s
something I’ve always wanted to do, I thought this a
good opportunity to do it,” she said, when interviewed
by media outlets keen to understand what inspired her
to undertake the adrenalin-inducing leap.
While the image of a centenarian hurtling through the
clouds is a wondrous one, it’s also a welcome reminder
that it doesn’t matter whether you’re 52 or 102, age is
no barrier to anything – not least to ongoing learning.
Of course, you don’t have to take up extreme sports
to feel the rush of a new achievement. Whether you
want to master a new language, brush up on your
painting prowess or become adept at baking the perfect
soufflé, science has found that stepping outside of your
comfort zone and challenging yourself mentally is key to
boosting your cognitive abilities well into the future.
A study published in Psychological Science discovered
that engaging in a complex skill – such as digital
photography or quilting – both of which demand the
use of working and long-termmemory – can have a
significant impact on that part of the brain, compared to
doing simpler mental activities such as crossword puzzles
(not that you should be deterred from your daily Cryptic).
“It seems it is not enough just to get out and do
something – it is important to get out and do something
that is unfamiliar and mentally challenging, and that
provides broad stimulation mentally and socially,” says
psychological scientist and lead researcher Denise
Park of the University of Texas at Dallas. “When you
are inside your comfort zone you may be outside of the
enhancement zone.”
The new findings provide a vital insight into the sorts
of everyday activities that contribute to mental vitality
as we get older. It’s no surprise to psychotherapist
Marie Rowland who has seen it first-hand. “There’s
been a huge resurgence in quilting and knitting –
macramé clubs as well,” she says. “It comes down to
social engagement. Scientifically, social engagement is
absolutely critical for wellbeing – both physically and
mentally.” And as it turns out, learning – and socialising
– are a powerful combination.
According to the University of Rochester Medical
Center, socialisation is essential to keeping the brain
sharp as we age, encouraging us to continue learning,
observing and responding to our surrounds. All you
need is to find something that ignites your passion, and
the confidence to leap into whatever it is that inspires
you – no parachute required.
05
Flex your mental muscle
FIND YOUR PASSION
Keen to learn something new but don’t knowwhere to start? Try some of these ideas on for size.
Go local:
Community Centres offer a treasure trove of learning experiences from computer studies and
languages, to art classes and self-development. Get in touch with your local centre and discover the
possibilities.
Embrace the internet:
The magic of the internet is that you can learn absolutely anything. Want to perfect a
new crochet technique? Become the next Masterchef? Play classical guitar? Head to youtube.com, enter your
search and upskill, stat.
Join a social club:
Whether dancing, Bridge playing, knitting or lawn bowls is your thing, social groups offer the
perfect combination of upping your skill set while boosting your social life.
Enrol to study:
No need to study for years beneath an avalanche of homework. The University of the Third Age
is a not-for-profit organisation offering a wide range of engaging exam-free classes specifically for the over-50s.
Visit u3avictoria.com.au to start your learning.
Donate your time:
As a volunteer you’ll learn new skills and gain experience while giving back to the community.
Win-win. Visit dosomethingnearyou.com.au to find opportunities in your area.
Why challenging yourself is key to a sharp mind and a rewarding life.
