It’s long been said that we’re only as old as we feel, and perhaps we’ve believed that to be true to a limited extent. Some research, however, surprisingly points to the reality of mind over matter.
Psychologist Ellen Langer performed a rather radical experiment on a group of septuagenarians in the 1980s that is beginning to shed light on the relationship between the body and the mind where aging is concerned. Langer’s original experiment consisted of housing a group of men in their 70s in a monastery retrofitted to conjure the year 1959. Despite their ages, the men were treated like twenty-somethings, and encouraged to speak of events that occurred in their 20s as though they were current events. The results of the 5-day study were remarkable. The men showed greater dexterity and sat taller than when they arrived. Some even showed improvement in vision.
While this original study was never published, Langer continues to study the mind-body-aging relationship today. Read more about her innovative research here.
Whatever age they are, Live Free Home Health Care is devoted to helping our clients live each day to the fullest! If you’re wondering exactly what our Central New Hampshire home care entails, give us a call at 603-217-0149 to talk to one of our Holderness home care experts. With both non-medical and home health services available, we can meet your needs where they are today and adjust as needs change in the future – beginning with a free in-home safety assessment. Let us know how we can help you!