Learning never stops even when sometimes, adulting gets in the way. As a grown-up, learning something new can be an intimidating experience. But don’t let your fears (or your age!) stop you from chasing a potential passion.
Below are five skills you’re never too old to learn.
1. Cooking
People who cook at home rather than eat out tend to have healthier diets and lower food expenses. When you cook your own food, you have full control of what you’re eating. Cooking your own meals also guarantees that the food you consume is clean and safe to eat. Preparing fresh foods will put much-needed nutrition into your diet and improve your health in the long run. Cooking can also be a great way to ease stress and tension after a tough day at work.
2. Playing a musical instrument
For many of us, adulting often makes us lose touch with our creative side. Taking guitar lessons or joining a beginner’s piano recital restores that lost creativity. Making music pushes you to use your imagination and think outside the box.
Just like other art forms, music encourages self-expression. If you don’t express yourself often, you become more prone to depression. Research shows that playing an instrument decreases your heart rate and blood pressure, which in turn lowers your stress hormones and makes you feel relaxed.
3. Self-defense
Self-defense keeps you safe and protected wherever you go. Learning even just the basics can help you quickly disable an attacker or escape a dangerous situation. You can choose from different martial arts such as kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, muay thai, taekwondo, and karate.
Self-defense is not just about fighting potential attackers. It is also a form of physical exercise. Practicing martial arts tones your muscles, improves your cardiovascular health, and enhances your coordination.
Self-defense classes give you opportunities to meet new friends and widen your social circle. They can also help you build confidence and develop self-discipline.
4. Digital Photo Editing
Digital photo editing is a great way for you to express your creativity. It allows your imagination to run free as there are no limits to creating art. Learning the different editing tools also keeps your brain active and your memory fresh.
Aside from its cognitive benefits, digital photo editing has become a valuable skill in the marketing industry. While it can take a few years to master a photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, a few online courses can teach you the basics of cropping, filters, and image enhancement.
<5. Surfing
Surfing is one of the hardest but most fulfilling cardiovascular activities to learn. It helps improve blood and oxygen circulation. Paddling strengthens your back while riding the board tones your leg muscles. Constant sun exposure also gives you Vitamin D which provides calcium and phosphorus in the blood and supports the growth of skin cells.
Aside from health benefits, what makes surfing attractive to people of all ages is the stress-free, hippie lifestyle attached to it. Being one with nature helps you release stress, be in control, and live in the moment.
No matter how old you are, there is always room for learning. Oftentimes, these new-found skills can even improve your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. With the right focus and time management, you can bring in more skills that add value to your life.
