The old adage 'use it or lose it' applies to your brain as well as your muscles. Learning a new skill can keep your brain active and minimise age-related decline. Each time we learn new skills we activate different brain cells and increase the number of connections within our brain. This builds up a mental reserve which may help us to deal more effectively with diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, chronic pain, depression or brain injury.

Research has shown that our brain and nervous system changes with different experiences and activities (neuroplasticity), even in old age. Meditation, playing a musical instrument, even juggling have been shown with MRI scans to change the structure of the brain. Neuroscientists have discovered that new neural pathways can open up, new connections can be made and new brain cells can be born, even into old age, which is exciting. Introducing regular 'novelty' is an important factor in stimulating the birth of new brain cells. However, if we don't use them, we lose them!

The cornerstones of facilitating neuroplasticity are reported to be cardiovascular exercise, good diet with plenty of oily fish and novelty, which promotes learning. The novelty factor lasts about six months (depending on the task) and your skill levels should be progressed when the task is no longer a novelty. So it's good to try something new on a regular basis.

The benefits of learning a new skill can be felt immediately. The feelgood factor, sense of excitement and achievement on mastering a new task, particularly a challenging one, is fantastic and is a tremendous boost to self esteem and confidence.

Why not learn something new right now?

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