Heading for exotic shores or spending long spells watching sport may provide short term gratification but can come at a cost, researchers in the US have found. Ovecoming the frustration of learning a new skill, such as a language or mastering a musical instrument, can improve longer term well being, particularly for people aged 50 or above. Two studies covered the ways in which younger and older adults adjusted to the Covid pandemic, looking at the impact of learning before and during shutdowns. Participants reported not only on their mental health and emotional states but rated their memory, focus, and daily decision making abilities. Those who challenged themselves didn’t necessarily feel happier in the moment. But a year later they reported greater resilience to external stresses than peers who had not spent time learning new things.
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