Energising Environment

In 1981, Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer organised a retreat in a monastery in Peterborough, New Hampshire.

Eight men in their 70s and 80s took part in the five-day experiment where they had to act as if they were 22 years younger, immersing themselves in the world of 1959, reading old newspapers, watching classic movies, listening to vintage music, and even discussing the news as if it were happening in real time. They were surrounded by all sorts of environmental cues to help them re-create an earlier age.

The following week, another group of elderly men arrived, but this time they weren’t asked to fully step into the past, just to actively reminisce about being 22 years younger

After each retreat, researchers took several measurements and compared them to those they had taken before the study. The results were nothing short of remarkable:

The bodies of men from both groups were physiologically younger, structurally as well as functionally.
The first group who pretended they were younger improved significantly more than the second control group.
There were improvements in height, weight and gait. They stood taller, their posture straightened, their arthritis eased, and their fingers literally lengthened.
Their eyesight, hearing, grip strength, and memory all got sharper.
Their memory sharpened and they even scored better on cognitive tests.

And the most incredible part? Some of them tossed aside their canes and played touch football. In just five days, these men didn’t just feel younger; they actually became younger right before everyone’s eyes.

Scientists now believe that our thoughts and feelings as well as our activities have profound healing and regenerative effects on our bodies. Our genes are being affected by our interactions with our family, friends, co-workers, our habits, practices.

The men in the story stepped away from their familiar life when they went to the retreat. Instead of being constantly reminded that they were old, they started to live and interact as if they were 22 years younger. The environment supported them to think, act and feel younger. In a matter of days, the men were able to start signalling the exact genetic changes to reflect who they were being. Epigenetics at play. Wow.

For me, I only realised the extent of interactions and surroundings on my physical body when I came across the book Heal Your Body by the late Louise L. Hay. That was probably in 2005 or 2006. In the book, she shares the mental cause for physical illness and the metaphysical way to overcome them.

As that time, I was starting to learn more about metaphysical teachings and was naturally curious about her book. I decided to check on a condition that I used to suffer from.

I frequently had diarrhoea. Po Chai Pills were like vitamins to me. In spite visits to the doctor, nothing was diagnosed about my condition.

But when I left my marriage and marital home, I stopped having diarrhoea unless it was food poisoning.

When I read the mental cause for it in her book, it made complete sense.

Now with my new understanding of epigenetics, I have even greater clarity.

My sad thoughts, the unhappy environment and the often volatile or upsetting interactions with my ex-husband contributed to my body’s reactions. I am so glad I made the tough decision to leave. Otherwise, my body will likely react even more. Looking back, I now understand how my body physically also became healthier once I was free and felt free.

If your genes are being affected by your interactions and habits/ practices, then it is certainly something you need to be aware of.

If you work in a toxic environment, find ways to harmonise and heal your well being instead of just toiling away. Do that while you create new opportunities for yourself.
What about your home environment? A client of mine was feeling highly stressed by both work and her home. She couldn’t return to a sanctuary after a difficult day at work because her house was cluttered and untidy. Every time when she reached home and see the disorganised mess, it created additional stress for her. One of the goals was to spend a weekend decluttering and creating the type of supportive/ soothing environment that she needed. Once that was done, she didn’t need to see me again. Her stress melted away. It transpired that her house was the trigger for her meltdowns while she could handle her work stress healthily.
Are your habits/ practices supporting your wellbeing and energy? A study identified 24 cases of sudden gamer deaths, with 12 occurring in internet cafes. Causes included pulmonary embolism, cerebral haemorrhage, and fatal cardiac arrhythmia, often linked to prolonged sedentary gaming and dehydration.
What about your relationships? Are they supporting your genes to live a healthy, happy and good life? Understandable that you may not be able to distance or cut off certain ties. What you can actively do is to ensure you find ways/ activities to balance that interaction. For example, after having a difficult meeting with someone, schedule a walk in the park to soak in nature’s healing energy. Detox that toxic interaction.

With this club, I hope that more of us can intentionally surround ourselves with good vibes and good company. All geared towards us living a good life.

That’s why I look forward to the monthly virtual The Good Life Session. Past attendees always share with me how energised they feel after the session. It is the collective group energy at play.

If you have yet to attend one of the sessions in person, I invite you to do so. Come and surround yourself with good energy because you now know that it has an immediate healthy impact on your genes! Just like that. 😊

Change Your Environment. Energise Your Life.

Reflection

How do your daily surroundings and interactions influence your physical and mental health, and what changes can you make to create a more supportive environment?
Have you ever felt physically stronger or healthier just because your mindset shifted? What does that tell you about the connection between your thoughts and my body?
What small, intentional steps can you take today to signal positive genetic and physiological changes within yourself?

Action

The word epigenetics literally means “above the gene”. It is the science of how your environment, habits, and emotions influence which genes get turned “on” or “off.” It’s like a set of switches where your lifestyle choices flip them in different directions, shaping your health, energy, and even aging process.

For example, a stressful job or toxic relationships? They could signal genes linked to inflammation or disease. Instead, when you surround yourself with positivity, movement, and nourishing experiences, your body responds by activating genes that support healing and vitality.

What I love is that epigenetics teaches us that we are not doomed by our genes. You are not just a product of your DNA, you are influencing it every single day. This means you have incredible power to shape your well-being!

Small, intentional choices such as shifting your mindset, moving your body, and creating a supportive environment can trigger genetic changes that help you feel better, live longer, and thrive.

So, what’s one thing you’ll do today to signal health and renewal to your body?

Practice for the Week

For a week, let’s play with the idea of stepping into a younger, more energized version of ourselves. Not just remembering the past but actually living like we did back then. Here’s how:

Set the Scene: Find a space where you can relax and disconnect for a bit.
Bring Back the Feels: Play music from that time, wear clothes you loved, eat a childhood favourite or do something that makes you feel nostalgic.
Step into That Version of You: Close your eyes and imagine it’s years ago. How did you walk? Talk? What kind of energy did you carry? Instead of thinking about it, actually embody it.
Do Something Playful: Dance, sing, sketch, run around. Whatever feels fun and freeing.
Notice the Shift: See how your body responds. Do you feel lighter? Happier? Stronger?