The Mind-Body Connection: How Your Thoughts Can Reverse Aging
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Introduction
Aging is a natural part of life, and while we can’t stop the passage of time, we can certainly influence how it affects us. In the quest for youthfulness, one remarkable psychologist has shown us the incredible power of our mindset in reversing physical markers of aging.
Dr. Ellen Langer, a pioneering researcher in the field of psychology, has conducted groundbreaking studies that reveal how shifting our mindset can rejuvenate our bodies. In this article, we’ll explore the work of Dr. Langer, look at other research showing a positive attitude influences how we age and we will give you our top tips for using your mind to stay young!
Who is Dr. Ellen Langer?
Dr. Ellen Langer is a distinguished and widely respected psychologist known for her groundbreaking research on the psychology of aging, mindfulness, and the impact of belief systems on health and wellbeing. She holds a Ph.D. in social psychology from Yale University and has taught at Harvard University for over four decades. Dr. Langer’s pioneering work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, cementing her status as a leading authority in the field of psychology.
She believes that our mindset and perceptions have a profound impact on our physical and emotional wellbeing. Her research centres on the idea that by changing our thoughts and beliefs, we can alter the physical markers of aging and improve overall health.
Langer's Study on Aging Reversal Using Mindset
One of Dr. Ellen Langer’s most famous experiments took place in a retreat for elderly men; it is referred to as the ‘counterclockwise’ experiment. During this study, she and her team recreated an environment that resembled the world of two decades earlier, complete with furnishings, music, and magazines from that time period. The participants were instructed to act as if they were living in the past, even discussing current events from that time.
The results were astonishing. Not only did the men report feeling younger and more energetic, but their physical markers of aging also showed significant improvements. Their grip strength, posture, and cognitive abilities improved markedly. This study demonstrated that a simple shift in mindset, by believing they were in a different time, had the power to reverse aging effects in their bodies.
Dr. Langer’s work highlights the profound connection between our minds and bodies. By fostering a mindset that is open, adaptable, and filled with possibilities, it seems that we can mitigate the physical effects of aging and enjoy a more youthful and vibrant life.
Langer's Study on Weight Loss Using Beliefs
Dr. Ellen Langer and her student, Alia Crum, conducted a fascinating study that involved 84 hotel chambermaids. The study aimed to investigate how mindset and beliefs about physical activity can impact the health and wellbeing of these workers. This study was published in the journal “Psychological Science” and revealed some remarkable findings.
They found that many of the chambermaids did not view their daily work activities as exercise. They believed that they were not getting enough physical activity, despite the fact that their jobs involved significant physical labour, such as lifting heavy mattresses and cleaning rooms.
To test the impact of mindset, the researchers divided the chambermaids into two groups. The first group was educated about the physical benefits of their work – they were told that their job was, in fact, a form of exercise that met recommended daily activity guidelines. The second group received no such information and continued with their regular beliefs about their work.
Over the course of several weeks, the researchers observed significant changes in the group that received the information. These chambermaids, now aware of the exercise nature of their jobs, experienced improvements in various health markers. They lost weight, reduced their body fat percentage, and had lower blood pressure compared to the control group that had not been informed about the benefits of their work.
Mindfulness recommendations
According to the New York Times Magazine, Dr. Ellen Langer says that being mindful of choices and noticing small changes in life can help people be their best and stay healthy. Her main idea is that paying attention and avoiding routine thinking keeps us alive and improving. Langer wants people to use mindfulness to make better choices and grow, leading to a happier and healthier life.
Can a positive attitude lead to a longer, happier life?
According to Heart.org, age may be more about how you feel than just a number. Research shows that having a positive attitude about aging can lead to a longer, healthier life. A study found that people who feel good about getting older have a lower risk of dying and are less likely to have chronic health issues like diabetes or heart disease. They also tend to be more active, less lonely, and have a stronger sense of purpose.
Positive attitudes can lead to healthy behaviours like getting check-ups and staying active. But negative beliefs about aging can be harmful and lead to less healthy choices.
Our top tips for creating a mindset to support you to stay young
#1 Avoid too much nostalgia
This one is based on our observation so you can make your own decision on it. We think that dwelling too much on the past is not healthy. We’re talking about when the only music you listen to is the music you liked when you were young, you still dress like it’s the 90s and you find yourself reminiscing and looking at old photos a lot.
In the Langer experiment, it was different because they were transported 21 years back in time and told to act and think as if they were younger. But when you are in the current day but focusing on a time period many decades before and thinking that these were the glory days of your life, you could be sending the message to your body that you are old – you’ve had the best years of your life and now you are in a decline phase.
#2 Stay current
Following on from the point above, engage with current music and trends. Be aware of what is happening on TikTok and Instagram. Listen to the latest Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift songs. We wrote an entire article about how to incorporate fashion trends into your own personal style –Â Elevate your style game: Fashion tips for women over 40
Part of the fun of being young is being excited about life and when you are aware of and getting involved with current trends and ideas, you are keeping your mind young.
#3 Exercise
We wrote about this in our article – Cognitive health: 8 critical factors to protect your mind
More and more research is showing a connection between exercising and brain health, ideally incorporating both resistance and cardiovascular training. We believe that when your body feels strong, you feel more powerful and this is a feeling more associated with youth than old age.
#4 Socialise
There is a lot of talk these days about the ‘blue zones’, places in the world where people have the longest life expectancies. According to BlueZone.com, the aspects of eating with family daily, having family close by and having close friends are really important.
#5 Don’t retire
Okay, okay, this one is a bit controversial! But again, referring to the thinking on why people in the Blue Zones live longer, sense of purpose is very important. Retiring with no plan for what we want to do with the rest of our lives is not a good idea. We need to still feel that the part we play in life matters.
If you have a job that you like, we would suggest reducing your hours as you get older rather than stopping abruptly. If you don’t particularly like your job, think about what you would like to do when you retire – for example volunteering with a charity or community organisation, minding your grandchildren, going back to college or getting a part-time job in a different role or industry than you had before.
View your retirement as an exciting new phase in your life rather than a wind down to death!
#6 Do things you love everyday
As we have already said, fun and excitement are big parts of being young. As we get older, it can be harder to find that excited feeling but one of the ways is to figure out what you enjoy doing, and do something you like every day.
Maybe you like spending time with animals so you could get yourself a pet, maybe you like cooking or baking, you could enjoy yoga or spending time in nature or reading a book or writing a blog. You might get joy from popping into your local coffee shop to pick up a cappuccino!
Spend time understanding who you are and what you enjoy, and make time for yourself every day.
#7 Be authentic
We think that to be truly alive you need to be your authentic self. Otherwise, you are living by other people’s standards and seeking approval from the outside world.
Freedom from caring what other people think gives us permission to live life how we want to, which is much more fun!
Conclusion
We’ve also written about how our emotional health can impact aging – how chronic stress, anger or loneliness can impact our health at a cellular level and speed up aging. You can check out that article here – Can your emotional health cause you to age faster?
We really like the concept that your mindset can positively impact the aging process because having a more youthful mindset is a recipe for more enjoyment of life so we think it is a win-win situation!
Do you believe that your mindset actually has an impact on how your body ages? Do you take any steps to actively influence your thinking or belief system?