Connection between successful aging and Mental Attitude
by Connie Michaelis, Lifestyle Consultant at The Piper
Placebo comes from the Latin word meaning ‘I shall please.’ It is a substance with no active therapeutic effect. A placebo is given to a person in order to deceive them into thinking that it is an active treatment. In drug testing, a placebo can be made to resemble an active medication so that it functions as a control; this is to prevent the recipient from knowing whether a treatment is active or inactive. This psychological phenomenon, in which the recipient perceives an improvement in condition due to personal expectations, rather than the treatment itself, is known as the placebo effect. The placebo effect points to the importance of perception and the brain’s role in physical health.
Is there an aging placebo?
There is research going on now to understand the connection between successful aging and mental attitude. The phrase, “You’re only as old as you think you are,” holds deep implications.
There are entire cultures where individuals regularly live to be 100 years old, and among those people, there is a universal expectation that humans live a long and active life. Research is finding more commonality between mental attitudes of these cultures than their diet, climate or environment. What if your future was more reliant on your mental attitude than all the other factors, including genetics? Americans are so dependent on the medical community to cure our ailments, we do not consider our own personal power to
promote vitality. We actually believe that age brings illness and incapacity!
What’s in your pill box?
There is a great deal of power in mentally preparing to age vigorously. Deepak Chopra, MD, FACP, says, “Your body reacts to your intention and complies.” This is not an attempt to be simplistic, but be sure to put the aging placebo in your daily pill box.’ Remember the power of the placebo and use your brain to play a significant role in your physical health. Call us at The Piper, where we fill the pill case with great thinking!
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About the Author — Connie Michaelis is an enthusiastic and passionate advocate for the entire arena of successful aging. With years of work in the senior lifestyle space, Connie has become a knowledgeable problem solver for the many issues of Senior transitions. As a weekly newspaper columnist, Connie has become known as an expert in the field and speaks and writes to encourage and support her audience. Through storytelling and humor, Connie can move her audience towards embracing the necessary changes to live their best life. Changing paradigms, planning for the future and preparing for all circumstances lead to a life of peace, happiness and satisfaction. She is a lifestyle consultant for The Piper.
