Some of our students get depressed. Depression is a very common problem, and we can address it here. Meditation/sports, good sleep and practicing gratitude can partially fight depression. This article shows that learning is also an effective tool to fight depression. How?
Sense of purpose
Some people claim that happiness is a combination of pleasure and purpose. Quite often we loose purpose of our existence, a momentum that brings us to new experiences and achievements disappears. Learning is a great way of finding such a momentum and generating a sense of purpose. We can acquire new skills and open doors we did not even know exist, generating a new sense of purpose.
Recreational learning
We can also use learning for fun. When we learn more about the things that make us feel good (sports, food, art – it is very personal) we feel invigorated. There is a pleasure in learning, it builds our curiosity. People are not like cartoon characters. The more we know, the easier it is for us to learn. If we learn something recreational, it helps with other kinds of learning and work.
Learning is healthy
Learning builds up new neural connections and thus increases neural plasticity. Just like sport is good for your body, the extra activity of the brain reduces the risks of brain degenerative disease and help in case of brain trauma.
Languages and socialization
This article shows that learning foreign languages fights depression. Quite often depressive thoughts are related to some thinking patterns or social activity. When we think in a different language, we apply different thinking patterns and socialize differently, thus directly fighting depression.
Some things we learn cause exhaustion, while other things fight depression. Lifelong learning will feel you with a sense of purpose, generate deep aesthetic pleasures and help build healthier thought patterns.
