Counterclockwise

Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility

By: Ellen J. Langer

Narrated by: Sandra Burr

If we could turn back the clock psychologically, could we also turn it back physically? For more than 30 years, award-winning social psychologist Ellen Langer has studied this provocative question, and now has a conclusive answer: opening our minds to what's possible, instead of clinging to accepted notions about what's not, can lead to better health at any age.

Drawing on her own body of colorful experiments - including the first detailed discussion of her landmark 1979 "counterclockwise" study in which elderly men lived for a week as though it was 1959 and seemed to grow younger - and important works by other researchers, Langer proves that the magic lies in being aware of the ways we mindlessly react to cultural cues.

Counterclockwise shows how we can actively challenge these ingrained behaviors by making subtle changes in our everyday lives. Langer describes ways to reorient our attitudes and language in order to achieve better health: she shows us the ways in which our belief in physical limits constrains us; and she demonstrates how our desire for certainty in medical diagnosis and treatment often prevents us from fully exploiting the power of uncertainty.

Scientifically riveting and practically empowering, Counterclockwise holds enormously exciting implications for our general health - including vision, old age, cancer, weight, and heart health - as well as for our fundamental happiness.

©2009 Ellen J. Langer (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Made a difference

Helped me be aware of approach and attitude towards my own aging…a must read.

Amazing

Everyone should read this book- especially health care providers! I have been inspired by her work!

Required reading for anyone over the age of 50

Don't let the negative reviews keep you from reading this book. Readers with an open mind will be able to see the wisdom in these pages.
The key points I took away: our medical system does not have all the answers (though many inside it believe they do) and our society leads us to believe in things that will adversely affect our health.
But please do not judge the book on these bullets. The background information contained in this work provides enough information for the thinking person to seriously reconsider long held beliefs. While my headline indicates the book should be read by the middle aged and up, I encourage all adults to expose themselves to the ideas presented in Counterclockwise.

RN, BSN- 32 YRS

eye opening. many examples of how I'm not as mindful as I thought I was. and how many ways there are to think about things. I'm a nurse, and always on guard to fully understand why/ why not take a medication.

Her experiments in the story

Awesome book, learned a lot about being mindful to live a longer fuller life. Thank you for writing this book.