Why is learning important for healthy living?

‘Lifelong learning’ has been a buzzword recently, but what does it really entail? Directing energy towards picking up new knowledge constantly throughout our lives may seem daunting, especially when many of us have stepped out of formal academic environments. Moreover, there are seldom any rules or guides to follow to engage in lifelong learning. Through this post, we will break down this seemingly intimidating topic to demonstrate how it can boosts our wellness!

Personal fulfilment 

Personal development is at the heart of lifelong learning and the first step to being a lifelong learner is to look inward. Think about what excites you. Maybe there’s a new language you want to learn or a new skill you want to pick up! What separates formal education and lifelong learning are the intrinsic goals that you wish to learn for the good of ourselves (Andreev, 2023). This mental stimulation you derive from lifelong learning gives you personal fulfilment, improving your quality of life.

Personal development 

The idea of learning throughout life sounds taxing but your bank of knowledge is something you constantly add to and renew every now and then. Lifelong learning is entirely self-directed as you explore new areas of knowledge, helping you to explore your own potential as you acquire new abilities outside of your comfort zone. At the same time, you are nurturing soft skills that can supplement your performances at school or work, such as self-discipline and reflection (Brassey et al, 2019). 

Career opportunities

In Singapore, lifelong learning is highly significant, especially with the establishment of the Lifelong Learning Institute. Its value is prized in how it keeps our workforce relevant as you constantly learn and adapt to changing world trends (MOE, 2022). Honing your current skill set while developing fresh ones gives you a competitive edge and allows you to become an asset to the industry. 

Play a new sport or cook a new dish! Approaching lifelong learning does not have to be a chore but should be a lifestyle. With all its benefits, we can see why lifelong learning is so important as it helps us to build a better version of ourselves. Happy learning!

References

Andreev, I. (2023, June 17). What is lifelong learning? Its importance, benefits & examples. Valamis. https://www.valamis.com/hub/lifelong-learning  

Brassey, J., Dam, N. van, & Coates, K. (2019, February 19). Seven essential elements of a lifelong-learning mind-set. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/seven-essential-elements-of-a-lifelong-learning-mind-set  

Ministry of Education Forward singapore: Equip Pillar. Ministry of Education (MOE). (2022). https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/forwardsg/lifelong-growth.html