Dr. Ellen Langer

Why did I do that? Because I had somebody in the family who was in a nursing home. It was very distressing to see people just sitting there doing nothing and barely existing. So we had the idea that if we gave people choices— that might get them more engaged in their living. And so we did that.

Why did I do that? Because I had somebody in the family who was in a nursing home. It was very distressing to see people just sitting there doing nothing and barely existing. So we had the idea that if we gave people choices— that might get them more engaged in their living. And so we did that.

We gave people encouragement to decide where to see people, whether to visit them in your room, in the lounge. You have to remember, you can't go into an establishment, a business, and turn the whole power structure around. So within reason, we came up with choices people could make. We gave them an opportunity to see a movie. You could see it on Tuesday or Thursday.

We gave people encouragement to decide where to see people, whether to visit them in your room, in the lounge. You have to remember, you can't go into an establishment, a business, and turn the whole power structure around. So within reason, we came up with choices people could make. We gave them an opportunity to see a movie. You could see it on Tuesday or Thursday.

We gave people encouragement to decide where to see people, whether to visit them in your room, in the lounge. You have to remember, you can't go into an establishment, a business, and turn the whole power structure around. So within reason, we came up with choices people could make. We gave them an opportunity to see a movie. You could see it on Tuesday or Thursday.

We gave him a plant to take care of, all right? The comparison group, the tender loving care group, we told them, you know, people will be visiting you and we'll set it up so you'll be visiting in the lounge. Everything was controlled that way. You can see a movie and we'll let you know if you're going to see it on Tuesday or Thursday. Here's a plant and the nurses will care for it for you.

We gave him a plant to take care of, all right? The comparison group, the tender loving care group, we told them, you know, people will be visiting you and we'll set it up so you'll be visiting in the lounge. Everything was controlled that way. You can see a movie and we'll let you know if you're going to see it on Tuesday or Thursday. Here's a plant and the nurses will care for it for you.

We gave him a plant to take care of, all right? The comparison group, the tender loving care group, we told them, you know, people will be visiting you and we'll set it up so you'll be visiting in the lounge. Everything was controlled that way. You can see a movie and we'll let you know if you're going to see it on Tuesday or Thursday. Here's a plant and the nurses will care for it for you.

All right. So we do this. We come back. I think it was three weeks later. Actually, I don't remember. It's been so long. Eighteen months later, first we took initial measures. Come back 18 months later, those people who were given these choices lived longer. And that was the beginning of all of my work on health in some sense. How could it be that making choices results in a longer life?

All right. So we do this. We come back. I think it was three weeks later. Actually, I don't remember. It's been so long. Eighteen months later, first we took initial measures. Come back 18 months later, those people who were given these choices lived longer. And that was the beginning of all of my work on health in some sense. How could it be that making choices results in a longer life?

All right. So we do this. We come back. I think it was three weeks later. Actually, I don't remember. It's been so long. Eighteen months later, first we took initial measures. Come back 18 months later, those people who were given these choices lived longer. And that was the beginning of all of my work on health in some sense. How could it be that making choices results in a longer life?

All right, so what is there about choice making? And then the choices were Mickey Mouse choices, you know. And you always have choice available to you. You can turn on a light switch. You can do it with your right hand. Your right hand, your left hand, one finger, three fingers, lift your foot. So many choices that you can bring to the table.

All right, so what is there about choice making? And then the choices were Mickey Mouse choices, you know. And you always have choice available to you. You can turn on a light switch. You can do it with your right hand. Your right hand, your left hand, one finger, three fingers, lift your foot. So many choices that you can bring to the table.

All right, so what is there about choice making? And then the choices were Mickey Mouse choices, you know. And you always have choice available to you. You can turn on a light switch. You can do it with your right hand. Your right hand, your left hand, one finger, three fingers, lift your foot. So many choices that you can bring to the table.

If choice-making is good for you, why don't people do this? And that got me more into the mindlessness and mindfulness work. So we have people living longer. How can it be that you're making choices, your mind is active, and your body complies? And so then I thought about it, not in one fell swoop, but realized that this whole notion of mind and body complies. These are just words.

If choice-making is good for you, why don't people do this? And that got me more into the mindlessness and mindfulness work. So we have people living longer. How can it be that you're making choices, your mind is active, and your body complies? And so then I thought about it, not in one fell swoop, but realized that this whole notion of mind and body complies. These are just words.

If choice-making is good for you, why don't people do this? And that got me more into the mindlessness and mindfulness work. So we have people living longer. How can it be that you're making choices, your mind is active, and your body complies? And so then I thought about it, not in one fell swoop, but realized that this whole notion of mind and body complies. These are just words.

We come together, here I am, all of me, my fingers, my shoulders, my thoughts as one thing. And if we put the mind and body back together, then the amount of control we have is enormous, right? Wherever I put my mind, I'm also putting my body. So in The Mindful Body, which started off as a memoir, I have lots of stories that show leading up to this idea. Let me just tell you two very quickly.

We come together, here I am, all of me, my fingers, my shoulders, my thoughts as one thing. And if we put the mind and body back together, then the amount of control we have is enormous, right? Wherever I put my mind, I'm also putting my body. So in The Mindful Body, which started off as a memoir, I have lots of stories that show leading up to this idea. Let me just tell you two very quickly.

We come together, here I am, all of me, my fingers, my shoulders, my thoughts as one thing. And if we put the mind and body back together, then the amount of control we have is enormous, right? Wherever I put my mind, I'm also putting my body. So in The Mindful Body, which started off as a memoir, I have lots of stories that show leading up to this idea. Let me just tell you two very quickly.