Challenge Tips

Learn Your Way to Better Health and Happiness

The need to learn, grow, and explore the world around you never ends. No matter your age, staying curious and open to learning new things can keep you sharp, alert, and happy. Learning something new releases dopamine, a mood-boosting neurotransmitter. Acquiring a new skill or information stimulates your brain and boosts self-esteem and confidence. All of these contribute to your mental and emotional well-being.

Your Action for Today

Set aside time to do or learn something new that interests you. Some examples include:

• Watching a documentary or listening to a podcast on a topic you’d like to understand
• Playing a new sport or joining a gym class you haven’t tried (get a friend to join you for added connection — see Day 4)
• Starting a new hobby or artistic endeavor

Incorporate your 1-5-5 exercises into your learning opportunity:

• 1 minute of gratitude: Visualize yourself enjoying your new skill, activity, or knowledge. Thank yourself for stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing something unfamiliar.
• 5 minutes of positive reflection: Recall a time when you tried something new or unfamiliar and enjoyed it. Write about the experience in a journal. How did you feel before and after? What did you learn about yourself?
• 5 minutes of physical activity: Try a new form of exercise. For ideas, check out these videos on Tai Chi and Qigong for beginners.

Committing to lifelong learning also benefits your nursing career. The health care industry is always changing and evolving. When you prioritize learning and development, you gain valuable experience and skills in critical-thinking and problem-solving. This translates to higher job satisfaction and better patient care.

Join us on day 7: A sneak peek - Use nature to nurture your mental health.

Missed day 5? Catch up here.