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How do you feel about growing old?
In a culture when we think it is astonishing that a man can hit a golf ball at the age of 59, it exposes a host of negative beliefs about age. So what? Well our beliefs and expectations have a huge impact on our health. Just ask the medical profession about the placebo effect and you will see the power that the mind has over health.
The placebo effect is when someone is given something such as a pill to help them over an illness and they get better, even when the pill has no medication in it. What has happened is that the belief that they will get better somehow influences their recovery, thus illustrating the power of beliefs on our health.
So do you believe that old age automatically brings with it ill-health? Or do you believe that it would be normal in old age to enjoy good health? Perhaps it's time to change your beliefs. Not only are you more likely to have a healthier future but living in the present and thinking about the future will be more positive. Incidentally it will also mean that witnessing a 59 year golfer leading the British Open is not so astounding.
Last updated: 22 July 2009