Oh, boy, mama just read an article about an experiment done during 5 days of intensive psychological immersion on a group of 75-year-old anthros in which they were to envision themselves 21 years younger (why 21? still to be determined) and were to discuss only subjects that were from that era, wear clothes from that era, and could have only photographs in their rooms from that era. There were no mirrors or anything that would remind them of their actual age. Their eyesight, hearing, balance, coordination and general health statistics were taken before the experiment, and then after the five-day immersion. They were also treated as if they were 21 years younger by the staff doing the experiment.
Mama told me that after that five-day interval, they eyesight had improved, the stood taller (startinf a game of touch football as they waited for a bus one day) and had improved manual dexterity and were seen as younger physically by independent judges.
Ellen Langer, who created this experiment says that “they had put their minds in an earlier time”, and their bodies simply went along for the ride (The NYT, October 25-26, 2014).
Well, I really like that concept, because even though I am a three-year-old kitty, which is fairly young for a kitty, I would love to know what it was like when I was a tiny, tiny baby and maybe had a mama near me because I don’t remember that, but maybe those thoughts would come back tome if I practice mindfulness and visualization, like those guys.
Ms. Langer called her 5-day gathering of men the “counterclockwise experiement” because they went back in time and tried to BECOME their younger selves.
She also feels that we have more control over our lives than we allow—we can be manipulated by others easily if we are not noticing what’s going on around us, with all the subtleties and nuances of each moment. Mama says that the aricle is really, really interesting and I’m just starting now to absorb Ms. Langer’s ideas, but I can actually feel myself looking younger and feeling a new spring in my step!!! See!
I’ve already lost two years!!! And no grey hairs–yet.
Anyone for tennis??? (I don’t know touch football…)
What an interesting experiment. As personal computers and cell phones were in their infancy, these individuals probably had lots more time to do more active things, which helps us all stay younger. LouLou, you appear to have the energy of a young again. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Hey, do you ten cats all live together in a peaceable catdom??? WOW. Well, my grey hairs came back immediately when I lost my mindfulness for a moment. C’est la vie.
I think you are absolutely right. People had more real human time to be human.
Loulou, you have such big, beautiful eyes. 🙂
Thank you, Jan’s Funny Farm, but I think it’s mama’s photography. She got real close!