# 387 - Think yourself younger with Prof Ellen Langer

Prof Ellen Langer also known as the Mother of Mindfulness, became the first woman to receive tenure in psychology at Harvard University, she has spent the last forty-five-years researching mindlessness and mindfulness. She has published hundreds of articles and numerous bestselling books including her latest, The Mindful body. Her research and books focus on the illusion of control, mindful aging, health, stress and decision-making. She is very much a believer in the idea that the mind and body are unified and not separate as has been the conventionally accepted concept underpinning western medicine. In this episode Prof Langer determines what she means when she uses the term mindfulness and how it differs from the concept that many people believe it to be. We hear what prompted her to study mindfulness in the first place. Throughout the interview Prof Langer gives examples of the groundbreaking research she has performed, including the famous Counterclockwise study which looked at what effects turning back the clock psychologically would have on an older adult's physiological state. We talk about the power of mindset, perception and we hear about the impact mindset had on the physiology of chambermaids. Expect to learn why Professor Langer believes the mind and body are one entity. We hear about mindlessness and learn Professor Langer's thoughts on probability, the pointlessness of making predictions and how best to make decisions. Professor Ellen Langer is a titan in the field of psychology, I was so honoured to have her on the podcast, I hope you enjoy this discussion as much as I did. https://psychology.fas.harvard.edu/people/ellen-langer https://www.ellenlanger.me/ The Mindful body : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mindful-Body-Thinking-Lasting-Health/dp/1472148614 Order Happy Habits for Mind and Body Audiobook: https://rb.gy/h5jjjg Order Kindle copy of Happy Habits for Mind and Body : https://rb.gy/jiojcc Order US paperback of Happy Habits for Mind and Body : https://rb.gy/sirste Order UK paperback of Happy Habits for Mind and Body : https://rb.gy/jtfea5 Listen to all previous podcast episodes of the Happy Habit Podcast via these podcast platforms : Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/happy-habit-podcast Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Habit-Podcast/dp/B08K5887J8 Amazon music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/670836c2-ea4c-4a23-a67d-a54dd804ef61/happy-habit-podcast Spotify https://https://open.spotify.com/show/2VKIhQK6mYTzLCO8haUoRd Google Podcasts : https://t.ly/hTU8q ----- Follow the Happy Habit Podcast at: Website: https://happyhabitpodcast.wordpress.com/Facebook: Twitter: https://twitter.com/mathieunorry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyhabitpodcast/ Newsletter: