As I’ve grown older my desire to learn has increased. Learning to me is living. When I say learn, it’s not the accumulation of knowledge. More important is the practical application of the knowledge which I’ve gathered. That is learning (or know-how). Until and unless I’ve grasped that concept, then I haven’t learned anything.
There are so many areas to learn from. With all the college and training I’ve been through it seems that I’ve only touched the “tip of the iceberg.” And the more I learn the less I really know. Still, I want to take the knowledge I’ve gained and make use of it. If I can’t, then I should toss it away (or keep it for a time when I’ll need it). A lot of what I’ve learned in the Marines still comes in handy. Other stuff, not at the moment. Though, the survival skills will certainly come in handy when it’s needed.
Most schools emphasize gathering knowledge and not true learning. Important aspects of learning have been cut so students can pass standardized tests. Simply passing a test is not learning (in the practical sense).
I believe it’s time to bring back what learning really is and to make learning how to learn more effective. It begins with these five pillars…
- Exercise and Fitness. Many studies have shown how exercise helps to increase the size of the hippocampus (the center for learning and memory) via the activation of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Both neurogenesis and neuroplasticity takes place in the hippocampus. Also, exercise helps to improve cognitive function. In a 2013 study by researchers at University of California, San Francisco showed how the learning of vocabulary words increased during physical activity versus sedentary periods.
- Napping and Sleeping. Chinese and American researchers recently (2014) witnessed how dendrites grew during sleep and naps after learning something new. It’s important to get enough sleep for full functioning of one’s brain and to stay focused. Now, it’s more important than ever when it comes to “locking in” what you’ve learned. A 2013 study also showed that sleep was important to “clear how the junk” from one’s brain. In every respect, sleep is an important key to learning.
- Meditation and Relaxing. Too much mental stress reduces the capacity to learn. Cognitive functioning starts to shut down. The higher the stress, the more your brain goes into “fight or flight.” When this happens, the hippocampus is bypassed and the amygdala takes over. Get into meditation to help reduce your mental stress. Also engage in deep breathing.
- Challenges and Flow State. We have to have enough challenges in our life to bring forth joy. The best learning takes place in a state of flow. When I’m not into learning a subject at a given moment, then it’s time for me to back away. I realize that the more I try, the less I learn. I know that there are certain times in the day when I’m at my best for learning. Each of us have times when we learn best. Discover yours and keep onto that schedule. That is part of your flow-state for learning. You also want to make sure to challenge yourself enough. When you’re bored, then you won’t feel like learning.
- Opening Yourself Up to Learning (and Teaching). When you really want to learn, you will discover a joy for learning. You will want to learn more and more. I can’t get enough of it. As I’ve learned something, I want to expand on it. This also has led me to put into practice what I’ve learned so that I may learn it better. Additionally, I tend to teach others what I’ve learned. And guess what? Teaching helps me to learn what I teach even more.
Let me add this additional information. Make sure to eat a nutritionally rich diet. Lower the amount of processed sugar you take in. While your brain needs glucose to function, too much sugar is not good. It can lead to inflammation in the brain.
When you learn something make sure to see how you can use it. This helps to embed it into your mind and creates know-how. Don’t just read about something, take action by using what you’ve read. Use different learning environments, not just the classroom. Use each of your five senses too.
My wish to you is to be a lifelong learner. When you do, you’ll grow and function better throughout your life.
Cheers,
Bob Choat, “Transformational Master Black Belt” 
America’s #1 Mind-Body Transformation Expert and author of Mind Your Own Fitness
