Impact of different mindsets on ageing

There are different types of mindset which have been studied extensively in particular with regards to there impact on ageing. The benefits have been summarised below.

Positive mindset

In terms of ageing, the old adages ‘Think yourself younger’ or ‘You are only as young as you feel’ have some evidence backing them up. 

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• Thinking younger. A number of studies (starting with the counterclockwise effect, 1981)  explored how changing our mindset could promote changes in the body of older adults. The participants were instructed and helped to relive their younger selves, acting as if they were living 20 years in the past. This resulted in significant physical and mental changes such as a reduction in their symptoms of arthritis and increased their IQ scores.
• Brain scan studies have shown that a positive feeling expands our visual attention allowing us to learn more from our environment
• There is evidence that when you are told about a positive change, for instance being told you are exercising more than are, you will physically become fitter. 

Fixed and Growth mindset and there impact

A fixed mindset has been associated with a lack of curiosity, someone who is risk-averse and less likely to learn new skills. Whereas a growth mind set person, because they are comfortable with failure will try more things, will work harder to be good at something. They will take on feedback and improve from these, knowing their skills and personality are not fixed forever. 

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These attributes have been shown in a business context to make someone more successful. In an ageing context it allows someone to be more resilient, having experienced failure and learnt how to cope with it. As they are more curious and happy to learn new things they will find it easier to adapt to a new lifestyle or big technological changes that might occur.

Mindset can’t solve everything

This does not mean you should ignore your own behaviours and actions and change them where necessary in light of information you receive It is also not advocating 'Toxic positivity' which is belief that you should not express any negative feelings and emotions in any situation.  How we think though is strongly related to physical changes, something that  the western world is catching up with the eastern philosophies which have always believed.