The experiment Ellen Langer proved that old age exists only in our imagination

We all know that a man is as old as he feels. But hardly anyone really sees this phrase, because we were taught that people must grow old, with all the ensuing a not too pleasant circumstances. What if we tell you that old age and fading — it is our choice, can refuse? The famous American psychologist Ellen Langer as its bold experiment proved that aging is not necessarily, if you do not want.

Dr Ellen Langer known for her revolutionary discoveries, which concern mainly the elderly. In 1976 this woman spent in a nursing home Arden house in Connecticut a study that turned down at the head of the modern gerontology.

Langer proved that a reverent care for the elderly is not in their favor, but on the contrary, shortens their days. Sometimes excessive concern faster brings the person to the grave than the very old age and disease. Because of Dr. in science there is such a term as a syndrome of learned helplessness, which is acknowledged by scientists around the world.

But Ellen Langer did not plan to stop there and in 1979 he decided to dispel the rest of the age-old myths about human aging. For a new experiment Ellen took 8 men whose average age was 75 years. They agreed to move in specially equipped for their housing in the state of new Hampshire, located in the former monastery.

When grandfather came in, they were dumbfounded. In their new home was all the way back in 1959 — the books on the shelves, calendars, player records and even black-and-white TV with a tiny screen and a convex lens. Everything was back to 20 years ago, in the days when they were still blooming men, only crossed the threshold of maturity.

Langer asked the participants to play along with her and behave as if the yard is actually a 1959. Men needed to imagine that they are 50-55 years old and it turned out to be much easier than you think. The house was occupied by scientific personnel, but Ellen was strictly forbidden to his assistants in any way to show the elderly that they are in old age.

If some grandfather decided to move the chair to another corner, he had to puff himself or to call for help of their colleagues. Also, no one thought to remind about medication, follow the diet and other common things.

Increased intelligence experience — 5 of them have the IQ to the end of the experiment was higher than at the beginning. But the amazing thing is that men have changed and externally. When comparing photographs of them before the experiment and after, clearly shows that they are... younger.

For complete objectivity grandparents pictures showed people who knew nothing about the researches of Dr. Langer. They were all sure that between the photos taken at the end of the experiment and at the beginning at least three years difference, with the latest pictures seemed older.

Dr. Ellen Langer is the best illustration to his scientific work

If you ignore the conventions until his death 95 years to consider himself a 45-year-old, then it is likely that even the last years of his life will be filled with activity and joy, and the disease will retreat. Dr. Ellen Langer she tries to live in accordance with his theory, and in 73 years demonstrates its work. In 2009, she published a book "CCW" (Counter Clockwise), which is popularly tells all about the secrets of longevity and health.