Breaking the Age Code

How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live

By: Becca Levy

Narrated by: Courtney Patterson

Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

Yale professor and leading expert on the psychology of successful aging, Dr. Becca Levy, draws on her ground-breaking research to show how age beliefs can be improved so they benefit all aspects of the aging process, including the way genes operate and the extension of life expectancy by 7.5 years.

The often-surprising results of Levy’s science offer stunning revelations about the mind-body connection. She demonstrates that many health problems formerly considered to be entirely due to the aging process, such as memory loss, hearing decline, and cardiovascular events, are instead influenced by the negative age beliefs that dominate in the US and other ageist countries. It’s time for all of us to rethink aging and Breaking the Age Code shows us how to do just that.

Based on her innovative research, stories that range from pop culture to the corporate boardroom, and her own life, Levy shows how age beliefs shape all aspects of our lives. She also presents a variety of fascinating people who have benefited from positive age beliefs as well as an entire town that has flourished with these beliefs.

Breaking the Age Code is a landmark work, presenting not only easy-to-follow techniques for improving age beliefs so they can contribute to successful aging, but also a blueprint to reduce structural ageism for lasting change and an age-just society.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Becca Levy (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Not what I expected

I love to read books about the science of aging and life expectancy and I thought this would be a great one—a scientific book about aging written by a Yale self-proclaimed scientist. In reality, there is very little science. The basic point is that those “seniors” who think young are healthier, happier, better adjusted and live longer. And the opposite is true. There is some discussion about results of studies, with few details. There are also many references to so-called scientific conclusions derived from unpublished sources, surveys and shows of hands in an audience. This book is predominantly about two things. One, an extraordinary number of stories and anecdotes about the author, her family and older people doing amazing things. Interesting, usually. Inspiring, always. But not science by any stretch. Two, a call to activism to prevent the mistreatment and damaging stereotyping of older people. I admire and appreciate the author’s passion, given I am part of that class, but it was too dominant a theme for a book touted to be about “how your beliefs about aging determine how long & well you will live.” There are many references to racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination and how we need a similar social justice movement to defeat ageism. If those two dominant topics interest you, you will like the book and should buy it. If you are expecting science or anything like a David Sinclair book, don’t bother.

Nothing new in this one.

I don't find anything to disagree with in this book. But if any of it is new to you I would have to wonder what planet you were living on. The credit could have been better spent on a different book.

Too much is devoted to ageism

While I am listening to this audiobook, my wife is also reading the hardcopy version. We have both come across the same opinion that way too much of the book concentrates on age discrimination, or ageism. I really wish this knowledgeable author would have given more solutions than problems.

Excellent

Well researched with many examples of people thriving into their later. Inspiring those to not act their age but find ways and interest to celebrate their life and experiences. I would recommend it for everyone with older parents.

Very intriguing

This is a very important book, everybody is getting older, and eventually they will be affected by age bias. Everybody’s health, happiness, and well-being depends on it.

The voice, and performance really kept me interested, and I’m going to have to listen to it again.

I thought this book would be a health book but...

This book was more about cultural beliefs and changing your mind state, shifting the approach to aging.

I expected more technical things about how to live, what to eat, but I actually enjoyed the attitude adjustment advice.
My best friends are in their 70s and 80s and they have enriched my life, prevented me from having health problems and been bright lights in my world. I am in my 30s still. More people need to love old people and listen to what they have to say. Knowledge and wisdom does not come from teenagers and beautiful people, it comes from people that have real world experiences and are still alive and well. Our culture needs to stop ageism and embrace it instead.

An important and overlook social issue

As the world continues to grow older
We need to recognize it as an opportunity rather than us close minded area of decay and drain on society

going to live forever

great book. really enjoyed learning about other cultures and the respect given to aging population

Should be required reading for everyone

Should be required reading for everyone of all ages — especially medical professionals, marketing professionals, Hollywood, and “influencers.”