Change One Thing To Stay Young

In 1979, a Harvard University psychologist named Ellen Langer conducted experiments turning back the clock of time. She allowed eight older men the experience of living 20 years earlier. Situations were recreated by her staff, including a living environment, the sorts of food available then, movies from the era, and photo’s. News, sports, and politics were from 1959, and discussed by the men. The group experienced 1959. Again.

When 20 years were shaved from their ages (by dint of announcing it and creating said environment), the men began to make both physical and psychological changes: hearing improved, grip strength increased, they became more manually dexterous. Memory strengthened, IQ rose. When the brain believed the body was 20 years younger, the body started acting 20 years younger. Fear lessened, a sense of adventure returned.

Langer’s contention is that the body follows the beliefs of the brain. Do you agree? We don’t get old because our body wears out; we get old because we choose to believe that we’re old. Then we start acting old. Incapacitation follows, misery, and death. What if we don’t believe that we are aging as fast as culture says we are? Then the brain continues to foster a sense of adventure, curiosity remains, and we think of ourselves as active, not sedentary. Thinking so keeps us young.

We are what we believe. It’s that simple. By challenging and changing our beliefs (not an easy process), we change our behavior. Thinking old is a habit we can change with our brain.

That’s Aging Intelligently