I sit on the Suicide Awareness Council of Wellington Dufferin.
For World Suicide Awareness Day this past year we put an activity on our website entitled, “100 Ways to Reconnect” (www.10days100ways4suicideprevention.com).
“It’s about reconnecting with what is meaningful to you and brings you happiness and gives you hope.”
There are 10 themes for you to think about and explore how you might reconnect in your own life to boost mental wellness. One of these themes is “intellect.” They suggest that exploring knowledge and trying different things and being open to new ideas and opportunities is fundamental to brain health.
It makes me think about my connections at the Alzheimer’s Society and how they often include challenging your brain to learn something new as part of good brain health. They say that building new neural connections helps stave off the onset and effects of dementia. Things like taking a new route home, taking up a new hobby or following a recipe to cook something you have never tried to make before are often recommended.
There are brain function and mental wellbeing benefits associated with picking up a new skill and learning. When your brain uses new information to figure something out, you are improving overall cognitive skills such as memory, organization, concentration, attention and problem solving. A really good brain workout!
New interests improve energy, and may stimulate new areas of our brain.
“By constantly learning new things and challenging your brain throughout your life, you can help build your cognitive reserve. Learning a new language and taking up new hobbies are good examples of brain-challenging activities” (Alzheimer’s Society).
The Suicide Awareness Council of Wellington Dufferin promotes social connections as being an important part of resilience, improving mood, and decreasing isolation. Through learning a new skill, you have the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals. Having an interest in common sets the foundation for discussions and sharing of ideas. Opportunities abound. There are many forums for people to gather relating to a wide variety of topics. For instance, an online group for cooking enables people to share recipes, ideas, techniques and achievements.
As an occupational therapist working in the field of mental health, I can attest to productivity, purpose and pride being foundational to improving mood and mental health. No matter what new interest or hobby you choose, the finished products (sweaters, wood carvings, cakes, tile projects and stained glass) also lead to a sense of pride.
There is something to be said for setting yourself a goal and completing it. Occupational therapists have known for decades that participation in new hobbies and interests help people reclaim their sense of self-worth.
From my own experience, I had tried to start a project several times about a year ago and really struggled to understand the pattern. It was challenging and I was experiencing a great deal of anxiety at the time. I put it away many times.
Then one day I decided that I was going to take another run at it. It was still tricky at first and I reached out to a friend for help. With this support and determination I was able to calm myself and figure it out. As I concentrated and problem solved it all became clear. It came together.
I hope that this might inspire you to improve your quality of life, reduce your stress and improve your cognition and mental health by trying something new, different and hopefully very rewarding.
What will you learn new in 2022?
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Paula Frappier is an occupational therapist and community education coordinator with Homewood Health Centre and CMHA.
The “Open Mind” column is sponsored by community partners who are committed to raising awareness about mental health, reducing stigma and providing information about resources that can help. For local mental health resources/information, visit www.mdsgg.ca or call 1-844-HERE247.