Keep Learning: How Trying Something New Supports Wellbeing, According to the NHS and nef

Learning is usually associated with school or work, yet the NHS lists learning new skills among five steps to mental wellbeing, and the New Economics Foundation (nef) made “keep learning” one of its five evidence-based actions for the UK Government’s Foresight project. This guide sets out what those two sources say, how far the evidence goes, and how to bring a little learning into a busy week. It is general wellbeing information and not a treatment for any condition.

What the NHS says

The NHS says research shows learning new skills can improve mental wellbeing by boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem, helping to build a sense of purpose, and helping people connect with others. It acknowledges that people may feel they do not have enough time, or do not need to learn new things, and says there are many ways to bring learning into life (NHS, “5 steps to mental wellbeing”).

The NHS lists these ideas:

• learning to cook something new;
• taking on a new responsibility at work, such as mentoring a junior colleague or improving presentation skills;
• working on a DIY project, such as fixing a broken bike or garden gate, using free video tutorials online;
• signing up for a course at a local college, for example a new language or a practical skill such as plumbing;
• trying new hobbies that challenge you, such as writing a blog, taking up a new sport or learning to paint.

The NHS also includes a helpful “don’t”: there is no need to learn new qualifications or sit exams if that does not interest you, and it is best to find activities you enjoy and make them part of life.

What nef says

The nef report, commissioned for the Foresight Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project and published in 2008, describes “keep learning” in similar terms: try something new, rediscover an old interest, sign up for a course, take on a different responsibility at work, fix a bike, learn an instrument or how to cook a favourite food, and set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. It says learning new things will make people more confident as well as being fun (nef, “Five Ways to Wellbeing: Communicating the evidence” (PDF)).

What the evidence actually shows

The nef report is careful about the strength of the evidence. It says adult learning has been correlated with positive effects on wellbeing, reports of life satisfaction, optimism and efficacy, and that it is unlikely the relationship works in only one direction. Fieldwork studies indicate that participation in lifelong learning positively affects wellbeing and resilience, with effects linked to self-esteem, self-efficacy, a sense of purpose and hope, competences and social integration. The report also notes that setting goals, which is related to adult learning, has been strongly associated with higher levels of wellbeing, especially when the goals are self-generated and match personal values.

Two further points matter for setting expectations. First, the report says not all learning environments translate into positive experiences and outcomes for wellbeing, although the activity of learning is itself very important. Second, its summary page says that the Foresight Challenge Reports agree more work is needed on intervention-based strategies to understand causality, effect size and the conditions for lasting behaviour change (nef, “Five ways to wellbeing”). In plain terms, the association between learning and wellbeing is well described, but learning should not be presented as a guaranteed fix. The report is also from 2008, so it reflects the evidence available then.

Why “not a qualification” matters

Both sources point away from learning as a chore. The NHS says exams and qualifications are optional. The nef report says that outside incentives and pressures can reduce motivation for activities that are inherently interesting, and that messages about learning should appeal to informal as well as formal learning, without necessarily having career progression or a certificate as the aim. Choosing a subject out of curiosity fits both.

Ways to start without adding pressure

• Pick something small and specific: a single recipe, a bike repair or the first lesson of a language is a manageable start, in line with the NHS examples.
• Use free resources: the NHS points to free video tutorials for DIY projects.
• Make it social if possible: the NHS says learning can help people connect with others, so a class or a shared project may add to the benefit. Our guide to loneliness and wellbeing explains why connection matters.
• Choose your own goal: the nef report links self-generated goals that match personal values with higher wellbeing.
• Link it to a hobby: our guide to hobbies, creativity and flow looks at absorbing activities.

When learning is not the answer

Learning something new is a wellbeing habit and not a treatment. Anyone whose low mood, worry or stress is affecting daily life should speak to a GP, and the NHS’s five steps page itself presents learning as one of several steps alongside connecting, being active, giving and paying attention to the present moment.

The bottom line

The NHS says learning new skills can improve mental wellbeing by boosting confidence and self-esteem, building a sense of purpose and helping people connect, and that no exams are needed. The nef report describes the link between adult learning and wellbeing as a correlation that probably runs both ways, and says more research is needed on cause and effect. A small, self-chosen project, such as a recipe, a repair or a first language lesson, is a sensible way to start.

Sources

• NHS, “5 steps to mental wellbeing”
• nef, “Five Ways to Wellbeing: Communicating the evidence” (PDF)
• nef, “Five ways to wellbeing”