Reversing Chronic Stress and Strengthening Mind-Body Connection with Dr. Ellen Langer
Dec 18, 2023
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Expert in mindfulness and its impact on health, Dr. Ellen Langer, talks about the concept of mindfulness and its immediate results for the body. She emphasizes the importance of being present and aware throughout the day for amazing results on overall health. Dr. Langer also discusses the influence of beliefs, thoughts, and attitudes on well-being, as well as the benefits of engaging in a mindful search for solutions to chronic diseases and stress.
Mindfulness as a way of being in the present moment leads to improved health, better relationships, and enhanced memory.
The placebo effect and mind-body unity support the idea that changing perceptions and beliefs can promote healing and improve well-being.
Deep dives
The Power of Mindfulness and Mind-Body Unity
Dr. Ellen Langer, a renowned expert in mindfulness, discusses the concept of mindfulness as a way of being in the present moment and noticing new things. She highlights the importance of recognizing uncertainty and multiple perspectives, which allows us to show up fully. Dr. Langer's research over 45 years demonstrates that being mindful leads to numerous benefits, including improved health, better relationships, and enhanced memory. She shares examples such as the counterclockwise study, where elderly men living as their younger selves experienced improvements in vision, hearing, and memory without medical intervention. Additionally, she reveals how our beliefs about aging and chronic illnesses can become self-fulfilling prophecies. By understanding the mind-body unity, we can exercise control over our health and well-being.
The Influence of Expectations on Healing
Dr. Langer discusses the placebo effect as evidence of mind-body unity. She explains that when we believe a treatment will work, our mind activates the body's healing processes. She emphasizes the need to challenge assumptions about chronic conditions and the potential for improvement. By periodically assessing pain levels and questioning why they may have changed, we engage in mindfulness that is beneficial for our health. Dr. Langer highlights studies that show how changing perceptions and expectations, such as altering the size of letters on an eye chart, can lead to improved vision. She suggests considering alternative explanations for symptoms and exploring the power of mind-body unity in promoting healing and well-being.
Practical Application of Mindfulness and Mind-Body Unity
Dr. Langer provides practical ways to incorporate mindfulness into daily life. She advises questioning rigid beliefs about sleep requirements and encourages individuals to pay attention to their bodies' signals. For instance, instead of assuming a fixed amount of sleep is necessary for everyone, being mindful of how sleepy or alert one feels can guide personal sleep patterns. Dr. Langer also discusses the impact of perspective on vision, suggesting that people experiment with removing glasses to train their eyes to see differently. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing that chronic conditions and stress are not always constant, urging listeners to explore alternative interpretations and reduce the psychological construct of stress. Ultimately, Dr. Langer's work highlights the profound influence of our thoughts and perspectives on brain function, mental well-being, and overall health.
How does embracing mind-body unity open up new possibilities to manage and enhance your health?
One of the best ways to connect your body to your mind is through mindfulness. But what exactly does that mean? And how do you become more mindful? If you’re like most people, the first thing that comes to mind is meditation. While meditation is a good practice, mindfulness itself is a way of being that has immediate results for your body and brain.
I’m excited to welcome Dr. Ellen Langer to the show today. Dr. Langer is a bestselling author, a professor of psychology at Harvard, and is known as being the mother of mindfulness. She’s here to talk about her latest book, The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health. It can be hard to know when you’re not present, because when you’re not in the moment, you’re not aware. In fact, most people live in this state of unawareness. The good news is that mindfulness is a simple process that anyone can embrace. Listen in as Dr. Langer talks about how to become present and aware throughout your day, and how that simple shift can produce amazing results on your overall health.
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