You CAN teach and old dog new tricks!

Variety is the very spice of life!

This proverb really resonates with me and underpins the how I live. I'm often rejigging my training schedule, signing up to a new course, changing the type of food I eat or rearranging stuff in my house (much to my partner's annoyance!) just to mix things up! I get bored of the same old same old very quickly.

Recently I was persuaded by my younger sibling Leo to try indoor climbing ('bouldering' to be precise, which is without ropes). I was really nervous as I've been telling myself for years that I'm no good with heights and that I don't have the courage to do it. But I thought if I don't try, I'll never know. It was time to put my big girl pants on and give it a go!

I was shaking like a leaf at the top of every climb, but the sense of accomplishment was awesome! I was determined to keep at it and I made a promise to myself that I would keep going. That was April of this year and I'm now hooked! I'm still an absolute novice and have loads to learn but that's what I love about it.

Leo has been climbing for a few years now and they make many of the climbs that I struggle with look effortless! The most awesome thing for me as that I'm learning a new skill and I'm challenging myself both mentally and physically. The climbs that I'm currently struggling with now, I know will one day look as effortless as Leo makes them look!

Constantly changing things up, challenging ourselves and trying new things to keep life varied and interesting also benefits the longevity of certain parts of the brain.

The Brain: Use it or lose it!

What fascinates me so much is the ability of the brain to grow and adapt all the way through our lives. We often hear phrases like, "I'm far too old for to start now" or "you can't teach and old dog new tricks". But I believe that nothing could be further from the truth. It's absolutely true that our brains develop and grow most rapidly in the early years of life, but the capacity for growth doesn't stop in adulthood.

Neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to change and adapt) is greatly increased when we challenge ourselves to learn and become competent at a new skill. As we age, a lack of brain stimulation leads to a loss of memory and cognitive function which then can lead to a reduction in physical capability and function too.

According to Dr. Tara Swart, (The Source), there are three factors that can have a real impact on stimulating change in the brain:

1. Novelty: new experiences such as learning new skills, exploring new places and meeting new people.

2. Aerobic exercise: increases oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain and releases a chemical called BDNF that allows the growth of new neurons. Think of a daily walk in the fresh (clean) air.

3. Emotional stimulation: the more you experience something the more intense the emotion associated with it, the more powerful its effect on the brain. Think of having a laugh with your friends.

So climbing for me gets a big tick in the box when it comes to neuroplasticity. I'm learning a new skill, developing problem solving skills, socialising with friends, making emotional connections and meeting new people. The sense of accomplishment that I feel is helping to build new neural connections that then overwrite the unwanted thoughts of fear that I had previously associated with it.

Some questions for you:

Is it time to stop your brain from ageing?! What new skill can you learn or relearn? Have you stopped using a language that you used to speak, were you great at playing the piano as a kid? Or have you always wanted to learn the guitar but just never got around to trying? (That's next on my list!) Or maybe you used to be a regular exerciser and you just got out of the habit? What's stopping you from starting?

Change nothing and nothing changes!