Neuroplasticity is a big word that simply means when the brain is challenged in a new way, such as making music or learning a second language, it has the ability to change and adapt. This helps protect against cognitive decline as we age. Challenge the brain by learning new information, taking in new experiences and moving your body in different ways.
Improving your brain's fitness can take place in the traditional classroom, but it doesn't have to. Community Education at Lincoln Land Community College offers many not-so-traditional ways to give your brain a workout. The workshops and travel options are divided into seven categories: Personal enrichment, online courses for personal enrichment, culinary, youth enrichment, Academy of Lifelong Learning, Road Scholar/Elderhostel and travel.
Personal enrichment includes workshops where you'll learn beginner techniques for painting with watercolors and using mixed media on a watercolor base. Or if you're fascinated with the beauty of calligraphy, learn to use the tools and you'll soon be practicing the basic italic style to create your own stationary.
On a more serious note, learning CPR is an invaluable skill because you never know where you'll be when someone needs your help. There's also the hidden benefit of giving your brain a double workout because you're learning new information, and your muscles are doing an activity that's new to your brain.
If you're dreaming about retirement while you're at work and you're between the age of 50-65, sign up for Retirement Planning Today® and get an introduction to retirement planning topics.
And if you're 50 or older and like making new friends and enjoying new experiences, you'll find more activities than your calendar can handle through the Academy of Lifelong Learning.
Traveling abroad and need to learn the language? Community Education can offer you courses in conversational Spanish, beginning Japanese or beginning French. You can also learn American Sign Language.
If you love fresh flowers and would like to try your hand at making your own arrangements, learn the basics from a professional floral designer and then progress to the Advanced Floral Design workshop.
Melissa Hamilton is a Springfield business consultant and entrepreneur who also has an artistic side. "After being disappointed so often when the bundle of flowers from the store didn't look as pretty once placed in a vase at home, I seized the chance to learn how to make my own arrangements by taking the Intro to Floral Design workshop at LLCC," Hamilton said. "I was impressed with the knowledge of the instructor and the skills I learned."
She later completed the Advanced Floral Design workshop and said she enjoys creating her own seasonal designs."The course fees might seem high to someone browsing the course description, but the supplies are enough to create eight floral designs a week. If you compare that to the price of one bouquet you purchase, you can see how the fee is worth it. Plus, the skills you learn far outweigh the course fees," Hamilton said.
Speaking of flowers, how about those bees? No need to fear their sting once you learn how to take care of your own hive during the Beginning Bee Keeping class. You'll learn how to take care of the hive in all four seasons and ultimately, how to make sure that hive produces lots of delicious honey.
There's also Photography for Beginners, but before posting the photos of your work on social media, learn to edit your photos for full impact by taking the Photoshop class.
If you prefer to learn on your own time, there are plenty of online courses for personal enrichment, including graphic arts, computer applications, math, human anatomy and hospitality to writing and test preparation.
Foodies will find a vast array of cooking classes and culinary experiences offered through the Culinary Arts program at LLCC. Whether a beginner in the kitchen or an amateur chef, there's something to learn for every skill level.
You can also learn the basics of cooking or an impressive new skill at Copper Pot Cooking Studio, 3306 S. Sixth St. Lessons are taught by Denise Perry, chef and owner.
Feed the creative side of your brain at B's Creative Studio, 1305 Wabash Ave., where you can learn how to make stained glass, draw, scrapbook, decorate cookies or bring your friends together to sip whatever you'd like while you paint.
Art classes taught by artists using every medium imaginable from paint, clay, cameras, glass, metal and more can be found at the Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St. Not sure what might interest you? Try SAAmplers, short workshops of what SAA has to offer in various studios. It's a fun, care-free introduction to different mediums and most even allow you to bring your own snacks or drinks to enjoy while you work.
Whatever your resolutions may be for 2024, don't forget to challenge your brain and learn something new.
