In many ways, the authors of this paper are reinforcing Becca Levy’s (Yale University) research that provides evidence that adopting a positive mindset on aging creates 7.4 years of additional life, all other variables being equal. Unfortunately, I don’t have a URL to direct you toward but feel free to Google it.

This new paper talks about the value of “rituals” that cultivate one’s sense of growth in physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual ways. Here’s the authors’ own words, “We suggest that fixed mindsets will impede the discovery and adoption of such rituals, whereas growth mindsets will facilitate people exploring, trialing, and perpetually enacting rituals that help them age successfully.”

While the authors don’t recommend what rituals are necessarily best (although some of them include brisk walking, analyzing one’s diet regularly, learning something new every year, mindfulness practices, and building a sense of self-efficacy to overcome obstacles), they suggest the key is to be curious and open to new experiences. In other words, adopt a mindset that isn’t fixed or stuck and is open to creating new rituals in your life. When it comes to sleep, they compare two mindsets: one fixed (“I’m just someone who never sleeps well”) and one growth (“I wonder what might help me sleep better”).

At the core is a willingness to become a beginner over and over. They also say these rituals and shifts in mindsets help build resilience and adaptability, two qualities that are essential to successful aging.

In sum, whether it’s learning to bake bread, do improv, share vulnerably in a group, surf for the first time, write a poem, or “mentor” a stone, MEA’s workshops are dedicated to helping people miraculously adopt a growth mindset by trying things we wouldn’t do in our normal, default life. Learning to stretch as we age is not just good for our bodies, it’s also good for our minds.

LAST CHANCE: You can also register HERE to join us this morning at 9am PT for a special one-hour session with me and our head of admissions Debra Amador Delarosa answering all your questions about our MEA Baja workshops this winter.