By Julie E 
Photo Credit (Pixeles)
In the late 1970s, Harvard University researcher Dr. Ellen Langer carried out a now famous study. Her subjects were older guys who were placed in a setting from two decades ago. The furnishings in the room were from the 1950s. Topics from the 1950s were discussed in the present tense. Radio shows that were recorded were from the 1950s. The males behaved more like their twenty-year-old selves as a result of this immersion: walking more, carrying their own bags, and performing tasks that had previously been performed for them. After just one week, the improvements in vision, hearing, and cognitive abilities were astounding. Even the participants’ before and after pictures showed improvements, making them appear younger. What conclusions did Dr. Langer draw? … When we are conscious of our actions and our expectations of ourselves, our bodies will follow suit, meaning they will try to match those expectations.
Our bodies will try to reflect our perception of ourselves as more capable, healthier, or developing. Our minds are reflected in our bodies. Given that aging is characterized as deteriorating, it is more likely that this is what will occur if we “act our age.” We will, however, continue to develop if we behave younger, more upbeat, and more assured of our abilities. The end? Don’t “act your age!”