Go Back to College During Retirement and Reignite Your Life!

Saddleback College, a community college in South Orange County, California, offers an educational emeritus program for people over the age of 55 in our area.  Free emeritus classes are offered on their campus and in Senior Centers and clubhouses all over the South County region, but particularly in Laguna Woods, the retirement community where we live.  The college offers classes in accounting, art, pottery, health, history, music, technology, photography, political science, Spanish, theater and many other topics.  

However, like many other colleges and universities across the U.S., our local colleges also offer degree programs, available for a fee, which enable local residents of all ages the opportunity to go back to college and get trained in a new field, either to advance their career opportunities or for personal enrichment.

Because thousands of people over the age of 55 are taking advantage of the opportunity to go back to college during their "Golden Years," I was delighted to receive this guest post by Kimberly Hayes on the advantages of pursuing more education as we age.  Her article is below:

Reignite Your Golden Years: Benefits of Academic Pursuits in Retirement

by Kimberly Hayes

The notion that education is solely for the young is swiftly becoming outdated. An increasing number of retirees are choosing to head back to the classroom to enrich their lives further, either by taking in-person or virtual classes. This article sheds light on the multiple advantages of resuming academic or skill-based learning during one's retirement years.

Sharpening the Mind

Aging can sometimes be accompanied by a slow decline in cognitive abilities. Going back to educational settings helps combat this by continually stimulating the brain. This mental exercise not only preserves memory but also enhances your critical thinking ability.

Tackling new subjects and solving problems serves as mental gymnastics that keep your mind agile and alert. The benefits are twofold: enhancing your mental health, while also acquiring new knowledge.

Navigating the Virtual Classroom

The beauty of modern education lies in its accessibility. Virtual classrooms make it simpler than ever to learn from the comfort of your home, a boon for retirees who may have mobility concerns or who do not live close to a college or university.

Web-based courses in areas such as marketing are a good fit, as they provide an avenue to earn a bachelor's degree in business while enjoying the retirement lifestyle. The flexibility of online programs makes it possible to juggle leisure time and academic goals.

Shifting Professional Gears

Contrary to popular belief, retirement doesn't have to mean the end of professional pursuits. Some individuals find it the perfect time to switch careers or become consultants.

Going back to school equips you with the necessary skills and qualifications to make such transitions smoother. Whether it's obtaining certifications or completing degree programs, education serves as the stepping stone to new vocational adventures.

Staying Ahead in the Digital World

Today's world is tech-centric, and being disconnected from it can be isolating. Returning to educational settings offers retirees like yourself the chance to catch up on the latest technological advancements.

From using modern software tools to understanding data security, these skills can prove to be invaluable in everyday life. Tech-savviness yields a wealth of practical benefits while creating a sense of relevance and connection to the modern world.

Nurturing Connections

Schools and educational institutions are hubs of social activity, making them ideal venues for meeting new people. The sense of community that forms in these settings offers you the chance to forge meaningful relationships.

These connections—whether with fellow students, educators, or guest speakers—can add another layer of richness to your life. From friendships to networking, the social benefits of returning to education are as substantial as the academic ones.

Finding Joy in Learning

Let's not forget that learning can be fun! The absence of academic pressure allows you to explore subjects purely out of interest or passion.

Studying art history, learning to code, or exploring world religions are a few of the many subjects to consider; the joy of gaining new knowledge is a reward in itself. This personal motivation often leads to higher levels of commitment and satisfaction.

Broadening Intellectual Horizons

While professional skills and tech-savviness are important, the true beauty of education lies in its ability to broaden your understanding of the world. Returning to school can become a journey of intellectual enrichment. Diving deep into your subjects of interest can yield insights into the world and its workings, which can make your life more meaningful and fulfilling.

Retirement doesn’t signify the end of growth; rather, it offers a new beginning—a chance to redefine yourself through the power of education. Whether it's to stay mentally active, prepare for a career transition, or simply enjoy the pleasure of learning, going back to school can give your golden years a renewed sense of purpose and joy. So why let the learning stop when life has so much more to offer?

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Share your romantic side with someone special by selecting a piece of jewelry for them from my Etsy store.  You can find a wide range of items, including this double heart pendant which comes in a gift box. You can personalize the inside message card with her name or a special message.  

She will appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Find gifts for retirees and others at my Etsy Store, DeborahDianGifts at:

DeborahDianGifts.etsy.com

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If you are interested in learning more about saving money, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues as you age, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

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Get Stronger and Live a Longer, Healthier Life

Most of us, whether we are retired or not, realize the importance of cardio exercise in maintaining their health.  Examples of popular types of cardio exercise include walking, running, hiking, swimming, biking, dancing, pickleball, tennis or taking aerobic exercise classes like Zumba.  While all of these activities are very important if you hope to stay active as you age, researchers have discovered that it is just as important to make sure you build muscle and stay strong.

According to an AAARP article in the May, 2022 Bulletin, a 2021 review of sixteen studies determined that it only takes about 30 to 60 minutes of strength training or resistance exercise per week to increase the average life expectancy by 10 to 17 percent!  So, if you want to live a longer, healthier life, find a way to build muscles for 10 to 15 minutes, and do it three to five times a week.  

Examples of Strength and Resistance Training

Among the things the researchers discovered is that your strength training does not require that you do anything special. You may already be incorporating some of it in your daily life.  Here are some examples:

Lifting weights

Using resistance bands

Yoga or Pilates classes

Doing calisthenics, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, etc.

Carrying groceries, grandchildren or heavy items when gardening or performing similar chores around your home.

As you can see, working those muscles is easier than you think!

Protein Also Helps You Build Muscle

Read "The Whole Body Reset" 

However, simply working your muscles is not enough if you hope to build the muscle you need to extend your life.  The AARP book "The Whole Body Reset"   (ad) also recommends that women over 50 eat at least 25 grams of protein at every meal, and men should get 30 grams of protein per meal.  This is the amount necessary to "stimulate protein synthesis, the process for building and maintaining muscle."  This type of protein timing, combined with strength and resistance training, will enable your body to respond as if you are in your 20s.  That's pretty amazing!

But what if you don't want to eat a lot of meat, especially if you are watching your cholesterol?  Why not pour a protein drink over your morning oatmeal or cereal?  Eat a tuna salad or peanut butter sandwich at lunchtime.  Add some beans and other sources of protein to your dinner.  There are many delicious ways to increase your protein in your diet.

Other Benefits of Gaining Strength as You Age

Obviously, the idea that protein and strength training could extend your life is pretty appealing.  However, there are even more benefits to your health if you make these two simple lifestyle changes, including:

A healthier brain - The stronger you are, the lower your risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.

Less weight gain - The more strength you have, the less likely you are to gain weight as you age.

Lower blood pressure - Stronger muscles are associated with lower blood pressure

Lower risk of heart disease - Staying strong reduces your chance of developing metabolic syndrome issues such as abdominal fat, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol.  These issues are closely connected to heart disease.

Less inflammation - Inflammation contributes to many unpleasant health issues as we age, including heart disease and arthritis. The stronger you are, the less inflammation you are likely to have.

Lower risk of developing diabetes - Increased muscle mass leads to better insulin sensitivity and a lower risk of developing diabetes or prediabetes. 

Higher cancer survival rate - Researchers have discovered that people with greater muscle mass are more likely to survive certain types of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer.  

Greater happiness and less depression - People with a strong grip are less likely to suffer from depression.  Practice squeezing those tennis balls!

Shop at: etsy.com/shop/DeborahDianGifts

Have Fun Picking Out Your Exercise Clothes!

You can find fun t-shirts for exercising, as well as sun visors, hats and other products for active adults at my Etsy shop. I hope you will check it out at:  

https://etsy.com/shop/DeborahDianGifts

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive a weekly email with the most current post. 

If you are interested in learning more about saving money, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues as you age, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credits:  Pixabay, Amazon book cover, and Etsy Shop for DeborahDianGifts