Learning new things and being open to new experiences boosts mental wellbeing by improving brain health, increasing confidence and building a sense of purpose.
Learn something new which excites you!
Learning doesn’t have to be restricted to when we are at school or university studying. Evidence shows that continuing to learn, even later in life, can help us feel good and function well. Learning new things creates new brain connections, reduces stress, and helps us connect with others, leading to a happier and more satisfying life. Choosing something which you enjoy and want to explore will make it much easier to keep it up!
Some Ideas You Could Try
Try a Creative Activity
The human brain is born creative and hardwired to learn and find wellbeing through ‘play’. There are not ‘creative people’ and ‘non-creative people’ – we are all creative. We may all seek creativity in different ways but we can all gain something from it.
So many people shy away from anything creative, believing that they aren’t ‘arty’, but being creative doesn’t necessarily mean creating ‘artwork’. Exploring our creative sides can be so much fun, liberating and increase our sense of wellbeing.
From cooking to gardening, painting to singing, writing to colouring, creativity is a big part of what makes us human and evidence shows that we have been creating since the dawn of time. So get some ideas of new creative activities you could try and start playing!
Visit Your Local Library & Discover Something New
Why not explore what your local library has to offer and borrow a book, film or see if there are workshops or activities offered which you could take part in?
Libraries often work similarly to community hubs. They provide free access to books, technology, learning tools and safe public spaces for everyone. They offer a welcoming environment without any cost or expectation to buy something. They often provide lifelong learning resources and skills workshops, early reading programs and after-school spaces for children.
Build Skills, Confidence and Empathy
Access free learning materials, educational resources and workshops from the British Red Cross for teachers, adults, children and young people.
Covering themes like: first aid, refugees and migration, international humanitarian law and conflict, wellbeing, kindness and humanitarianism, there’s something for anyone wanting to learn about a new topic or practice a new skill.
Free Resources for Learning
We also have a library of free resources which you can use to keep learning! Take a look and add your own!
Find Free Wellbeing Resources