Lives Well Lived ELLEN LANGER: question everything
16 snips
Jul 31, 2025 
Join Ellen Langer, an influential psychologist known for her groundbreaking work on mindfulness and aging. She discusses how challenging societal norms can lead to a more engaged life. Ellen emphasizes the power of choice and belief in health, revealing how perceptions can significantly affect well-being. The conversation also touches on her famous counter-clockwise study that showcased the mind-body connection in the elderly. Langer advocates for embracing individuality and creativity to redefine aging and promote personal happiness.
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Mind-Body Stories That Inspire
- Ellen Langer witnessed her mother recover mysteriously from metastatic cancer, which deeply influenced her views on mind-body health.
- Contrastingly, Ellen once made herself sick by eating pancreas mistakenly, illustrating mind's powerful influence on body.
Mind-Body Unity Concept
- Mind and body should be seen as a single unit, not separate with mysterious connections.
- This view dissolves the puzzle of how thoughts affect physical changes, emphasizing their simultaneous unity.
Mindful Symptom Tracking
- Use your smartphone to check symptoms periodically and mindfully inquire if they improve or worsen.
- This active noticing can engage you and improve management of chronic illnesses.
