What age do you think you'll be when you die? Most people who answer that question usually say somewhere between 65 and 75. And so, they are usually right (unless something unforeseen happens before reaching that age, and they die younger).
But what if you believed - really believed - that you would live to be 83, 92, or even 100 or more? Do you think it would make a difference? Here's a hint - the answer is most likely "yes".
You see, the fact is, our beliefs create our reality - and it's a very powerful effect. If you believe, for example, you can ride a bike, you will likely ride a bike at some point. On the other hand, if you were to believe you can't ride a bike, then you probably won't. You probably wouldn't even try. On a bigger scale, if you believe you can become a broadway actor, it's much more likely you will become one than if you believe you can't.
Yes, beliefs can have profound effects on our lives - even the effect of extending it by 10, 20, even 30 years or more - if you believe it can happen. There are many reasons for this. And since it is beyond the scope of this brief article to explain why, the bottom line is that it works - and there is a lot of evidence to prove it.
The powerful book by Deepak Chopra called Ageless Body, Timeless Mind (Harmony Books, 1993) explains part of this concept. It is very compelling. In his book, he describes (and scientifically supports) how we basically "program" ourselves to make our bodies age more quickly than we should, get diseases at a certain age, and even die younger than we would normally die if we were instead to "program" oursleves differently (he says that biologically we should live to a healthy age of 125-140).
If that sounds far-fetched to you, it's understandable. It is certainly not the norm. But what if it's true? Is it worth a try? How could it hurt to try? The worse case scenario is that you get ill and/or die at the same time you normally would if you didn't believe differently.
So, if you want to start this "life extension" prosess, there are 4 things to do:
- Start to believe, really believe, (even if you have to fake it at first) that you will live to be 100 (or whatever age you want). Pick a date when you will be at least that age, which you will make your "age goal". Let's say it's December 2nd of the year 2057 (yes, be specific). That's the day you will be "ready to go". It's important to think about that date regularly. Put it in your planner. Think about things you will want to be doing in the several years leading up to that date. When you make your goals - especially your 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year goals - make sure to also include goals for the 9th and 10th decades of your life. Do this for the next few years and your reality will change. You will start to believe - even to expect - to be alive in your 90's (and beyond, if that's what you want).
- Reduce your "age awareness" (or especially your "age focus", if that's more descriptive of how you think). This is usually a tougher thing to do. We are constantly reminded of our age. We celebrate birthdays every year. We are asked frequently our age (by friends, family, strangers, and even on various applications). We start getting told we're "getting old" at a certain age. We even say it to ourselves after a while. Stop doing this!! And do the best you can to have others stop doing it, too. To reprogram your mind - even a little - you must get away from thinking about your chronological age so much (the book Ageless Body, Timeless Mind discusses this in detail). Additionally, according to Chopra, we even "believe ourselves" into getting certain diseases or ailments. If our parents had high blood pressure, for example, then subconsciously, we tend to believe we'll get high blood pressure, too, and it usually becomes reality (which as most people know, usually leads to an early death due to heart attach or stroke). So, it is possible we actually create disease in our body with our beliefs and "programming".
- Take care of yourself. OK, this is obvious. The truth is, though, if you do steps 1 and 2, you will almost naturally and subconsciously do this, too. You will want to because you now have a more compelling reason to take better care of your mind and body. So exercise regularly. Eat well. Drink in moderation (or not at all if you prefer). And certainly don't smoke or take drugs. You should even start to take various health supplements, like OPC-3, multivitamins, and other neutraceuticals.
- Be happy. Studies have shown that happy people live longer than unhappy people - up to 9 years longer in one major study. Nine years! That's a long time to add to your life. It makes perfect sense, too. Happiness eliminates, or at least reduces, the damaging effects of stress, anxiety, and even inflammation that goes on within our bodies (and there is growing evidence that inflammation causes many deadly diseases). [go to BeHappy101.com for a full "system" on how to be happier and more fulfilled]
By the way, certainly no one would want to live to be 100 if their quality of life was poor. So, the assumption with this process is that you live to be a happy, healthy, vibrant, alert, active 80, 90, or 100 year old (not a debilitated, bedridden, sick old man or woman).
Do the four things described above and you can live a much longer, healthier, and happier life than you would normnally live. Yes, by doing this, you can add years - even decades - to your life. And even if you don't make it to 100, just living 10 years longer than your initial answer of 65 - 75 would be great, wouldn't it?
BeHappy! my friends (and live longer)
PS: If you don't want to live longer than 65 or 70, that represents a different issue, which you should address. There will be more here at examiner.com (and there is lots at BeHappy101.com) to address this issue - so that life is so great, you don't want it to end.
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