Aging and Music

We’ve all heard the phrase, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” but at Green Hills Guitar Studio, that’s exactly what we do.

The myth that older adults are incapable of learning new skills is just that…A MYTH. Although scientists once believed that after a certain age your brain was incapable of growing and absorbing new information, a new discovery called Neuroplasticity proves that adult brains are way more resilient and savvy than previously thought.

Neuroplasticity shows that as we learn new things and take in new information, the nerve cells in our brain actually form new nerve endings. Then, once these endings are formed they connect with other nerve cells in our brain. These connections can lead to a number of benefits for our overall wellness. However, our bodies don’t just create new nerve endings. These cells have to be sparked or engaged in order to get the process started.

Think of it like this: If you’ve ever moved to a new city or town, sometimes it can be difficult to make connections in your new location. Usually, it requires us to step out of our comfort zone a little to meet new people. However, when we go out of our way to build a relationship or friendship with just one person, it usually leads to us meeting new people and growing more comfortable in our new location.

Neuroplasticity works in a similar way. In order to create new nerve endings and make the necessary connections between our nerve cells, we have to be willing to engage these cells by learning something new, which sometimes requires us to step out of our comfort zone. But if we do this just once by taking on a new task, such as learning an instrument, the nerve endings can make invaluable connections, allowing our brains to continuously change and grow throughout our lives.

But what does all this science mean specifically for you?

It means that your possibilities to learn a new hobby are endless at any age. As humans, we have a tendency to underestimate ourselves and our abilities, especially as we age, but if we take a look at some of the legendary people around us, it becomes clear that age is most certainly just a number.

• Kimani Maruge began primary school at age 84
• Gladys Burrill ran her first marathon at age 94
• Picasso continued to learn new painting techniques into his 90s
• Johnny Cash continued to perform until he was 71

The one thing that all of these people had in common was their passion, dedication, and courage to try something new. Stepping out of our comfort zone can be challenging, but we now know that our aging brains have little to do with our ability to learn, so what’s holding you back?

Don’t let the age-old stereotype keep you from trying something new. Whether it’s through yoga and meditation, sports and art or learning an instrument, we want to challenge you to get your nerve cells fired up and unleash your inner creativity.

It’s never too late to engage in new activities and discover new passions and talents you never knew you had. And at Green Hills Guitar Studio, we want to help you do this. Contact us today, and start making your brain more flexible!