The Mindful Body

Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health

By: Ellen J. Langer

Narrated by: Subhadra Newton

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Learn how adjusting your thoughts can change your health—from the “mother of mindfulness” and first female tenured professor of psychology at Harvard.

“What matters more: mind or body? Filled with original research and thought-provoking insights, The Mindful Body shows that the two are not just connected but are actually one, opening us to vast potential for health and happiness.”—Dan Ariely, New York Times bestselling author of Predictably Irrational

When it comes to our health, we tend to live our lives as though our ailments—our stiff knees or frayed nerves or diminished eyesight—can change only in one direction: for the worse. Award-winning social psychologist Ellen J. Langer’s life’s work proves the fault in this negative outlook as well as the healing power of its alternative: mindfulness—the process of active noticing where we are not bound by past experience or conventional wisdom.

In The Mindful Body, Dr. Langer unpacks her assumption-busting findings and outlines her bold new theory of mind-body unity, along the way clearly demonstrating how our thoughts and perspectives have the potential to profoundly shape our well-being. Whether it is hotel chambermaids who lost weight when they simply came to see that their work constituted exercise, or patients whose wounds healed faster in rooms with accelerated clocks, she shows how influential our thoughts are to the state of our bodies. Her work has likewise proven that discouraging health news can have negative effects. Learning you are prediabetic, for example—even if your blood sugar reading is only a fraction away from “normal”—may actually play a part in the development of the disease.

A paradigm-shifting book by one of the great psychologists of the twenty-first century, The Mindful Body returns the control over our bodies back to us and reveals that a true understanding of health begins with our minds.

©2023 Ellen J. Langer (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"For decades, Ellen Langer’s work has taught us the incredible power of the mind to affect our lives. In this fascinating new book, she highlights the startling role that our mind plays in fostering or undermining what is perhaps our most important asset—our health.”—Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., author of Mindset

“Ellen Langer’s pioneering research put mindfulness on the map in psychology and overturned our assumptions about the mind-body connection. In this engaging book, she introduces provocative ideas about how rethinking our beliefs and attitudes can actually improve our health and happiness.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the TED podcast Re:Thinking

“A remarkable work of science and scholarship . . . Ellen Langer’s pioneering research shows that our thoughts and perceptions can rejuvenate our physical health, replenish our intellectual energy, and restore our broader sense of life’s possibilities. This book offers the ultimate key to unlocking your full potential.”—Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When and The Power of Regret

Healing Words

Powerful ideas of the kind body connection, thankful to know hold this wisdom and theory

Great insight into the real mind

Grateful for the research into how humans really think and act. It is well written

Informational, but inappropriate narrator tone.

It was distracting to listen to a "younger" sounding narrator. Should havr a more deeper tone reader, matching the distinguised professional content. I'll just buy the book next.

Brief as many books go, and with much useful information

This reader, listener, actually, found the book, quite fascinating, and listened to it twice so far. Seeking to apply the principles within it to my life, combined with studies of biblical principles and Jewish traditions. So far it seems to fit together quite well.
Thank you for your work, Ms. Langer

How and why has our country ignored these study findings?

So many small changes, identified and detailed in these pages, could make much needed improvements in education, healthcare, and social services. Excellent read. Timely subject.

eye opening

Wonderful book based on observing ones life. I really appreciate her perspective on mindlessness and how to be awake for your life.

New and helpful concept

Introduced a whole new concept. I don’t agree with all the points but doesn’t matter, great to learn and will definitely practice.

Opens your mind

I loved all the studies done and how her mind thinks. I really needed to hear this. Loved it.

If you haven't read or listened..... Do IT Now!!

What an amazing book! Continued proof that it Is all in your head!! Your life is limited only by the fact that you believe there are limits!

Mindfulness effects our mind body

Great book full of amazing stories. It lacks much details on how practical ways to take advantage of this info on a daily basis for us individual humans. I know from other teachers that it is about being aware of our thoughts and feelings (mindfulness). And we are more powerful and in charge of what we experience in life. An interesting and awareness expanding read.