"Don't Learn It Too Late!" - How To Get Back On Track & Design Your Dream Life | Dr. Ellen Langer

Rangan Chatterjee

Mar 19, 2025

Episode description

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This week's guest has spent over 50 years conducting ground-breaking research showing that your thoughts have a profound impact on your body.

Dr Ellen J. Langer is Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, and widely known as the 'mother of mindfulness’. She is the recipient of three Distinguished Scientists awards and the author of twelve books, including her very latest, The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health.

In our conversation, we discuss how our mindsets directly affect our physical health, why much of what we attribute to ageing may actually be a consequence of our beliefs and the real meaning of mindfulness.

We also explore whether as a society, we need to rethink the concept of work-life balance, with Ellen suggesting that we should instead focus on "work-life integration," where we find interest and joy in whatever we're doing.

She also shares a powerful technique that has helped many patients with long term conditions like MS, Parkinson's and chronic pain and she outlines a refreshing approach to decision making: instead of trying to make the "right" decision, we should choose and then "make the decision right"

This is a powerful conversation that reminds all of us that we have a lot more control over our wellbeing than we might initially think.

Ellen is a wonderful human, full of knowledge, expertise and passion - and the ideas she shares have the power to transform your health, longevity and happiness.

#feelbetterlivemore
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Show notes available at: https://drchatterjee.com/537

Connect with Dr Langer :
https://www.ellenlanger.me/
https://www.instagram.com/ellenjlanger/
https://twitter.com/ellenjl?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/ellen.langer

Dr Langer’s books:
The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health US https://amzn.to/4iAWGqU UK https://amzn.to/4idqlqk
Mindfulness (25th anniversary edition) US https://amzn.to/4iXdsAx UK https://amzn.to/4kY8i9h
Counterclockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility US https://amzn.to/4ie1ylY UK https://amzn.to/4hkyJDh
On Becoming an Artist: Reinventing Yourself Through Mindful Creativity US https://amzn.to/43SgVvR UK https://amzn.to/4bVvq44

#feelbetterlivemore #feelbetterlivemorepodcast
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Order MAKE CHANGE THAT LASTS. US & Canada version https://amzn.to/3RyO3SL, UK version https://amzn.to/3Kt5rUK
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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Choose Peek's Sun Goddess Matcha for calm focus and craving control

Peek's Sun Goddess Matcha is recommended for its L-theanine content, which promotes calm focus, and EGCG catechins, which can help curb cravings.

#focus

#nutrition

Overcome two-thirds fatigue effect to boost productivity

We are psychologically conditioned to feel tired about two-thirds of the way through a task, regardless of its actual length or difficulty.

#fatigue

Boost athletic performance with ketone IQ for energy and focus

Ketone IQ is a drink containing exogenous ketones that can improve athletic performance, focus, and mental clarity without requiring a ketogenic diet.

#energy

#supplement

Avoid labeling as 'borderline' to prevent self-fulfilling prophecies

Labeling people as 'borderline' or at risk for a disease can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, making them more likely to develop the condition.

#diagnosis

#risk

Embrace uncertainty to enhance awareness

The most important mindset shift is to realize that uncertainty is the rule, not the exception, because when you know you don't know, you naturally pay attention.

#awareness

#curiosity

Prioritize perceived sleep over actual hours for better function

A study found that biological and cognitive function followed the perceived amount of sleep shown on a manipulated clock, not the actual hours slept.

#cognition

#sleep

Prioritize understanding over blame and forgiveness

You cannot forgive unless you first blame, so instead of blaming and forgiving, it is better to understand that a person's behavior makes sense from their perspective.

#empathy

Transform mindset to achieve exercise benefits from daily work

In a study, hotel chambermaids who were taught to view their work as exercise experienced weight loss and improved blood pressure without changing their actual activity.

#exercise

#mindset

Pursue work-life integration for engaging activities

Instead of seeking work-life balance, which presumes work must be bad, we should seek work-life integration where every activity can be made engaging and interesting.

#fulfillment

Make a decision and focus on making it right

Rather than wasting time trying to make the 'right' decision, it's better to simply make a decision and then focus your energy on making that choice the right one.