The Longevity Mindset

What you, and others, believe about ageing profoundly influences how long and how well you will live. Research from Ellen Langer and others shows that positive beliefs lead to better health outcomes, whilst internalised negative beliefs arising from the prejudice called ageism quietly erode confidence, behaviour and wellbeing.

We see the opposite of ageism all around us. In The Oxford Longevity Project team, Professor Denis Noble, at 90, is still lecturing worldwide and publishing, and Sir Christopher Ball, also 90, is in training for his next 10K. Acknowledge your chronological age, but never be defined or limited by it.

Ageing is a normal biological process. Most change is due to loss of fitness, disease and social pressures such as isolation, deprivation or ageism. These are differences, not destiny. What gets in the way is rarely biology. It is mindset. If you say, "I can't" or "people my age don't", you will do less, precisely when you would benefit from doing more.

Ask yourself

• When did I last say, "I'm too old for that", and was it true?

• Whose example of vigorous later life could I follow?

Actions to take

• Write down three positive aspects of ageing each week.

• Replace ageist self-talk with empowering language.