September can feel like “back to school” time – even if your kids have grown up and left school
Shops and businesses everywhere are promoting “back to school” or “back to uni” deals and there’s a buzz of people going back to a new school, new uni, new year of study.
For this week’s Mental Sunshine, I want you to join them!
No, I don’t mean pop down to the supermarket and buy yourself some uniform and a lunch box!
What I do mean is: have a go at learning something new.
That could be signing up for an evening course at your local college
Or it could mean using YouTube videos to learn knitting or crochet.
When we learn new things, it builds new connections in the brain.
The brain also rewards our curiosity with dopamine, which can improve our mood.
Focusing on a new task can help our brains take a break from worry and overthinking.
We’re too busy focusing on figuring out the new thing to think about other things
Learning something new can also be great for your confidence
There’s a real sense of pride and self-esteem when we manage to pick up a new skill or learn something.
There’s also the social aspect of learning new things
If you join a new group or class, it’s a great opportunity to forge new social connections
What have you always wanted to have a go at?
If you can’t think of anything, why not have a look at venues and colleges around you, and see what they have on offer?
Let me know if you pick up a new skill!