Ageless Body, Timeless Mind by Deepak Chopra is a must-read for anyone who wants to retain their physical vitality, creativity, memory, and self-esteem as they age. In this book, Chopra combines ancient mind/body wisdom with current anti-aging research to show that growing old does not mean losing these essential aspects of ourselves. In fact we can continue to work on our life goals and desired outcomes.
One of the key takeaways from this book for me is that people who live vital, independent lives over 100 years of age have several things in common. Two of the most important factors are keeping body weight slightly under what is considered normal and cultivating enriching social networks. By following these two habits, we can help prevent weight-related illnesses and keep our neural pathways active, ensuring that our brains stay healthy as we age. Additionally, being surrounded by loved ones and extending love to others can help us avoid loneliness and make our final days more fulfilling.
Chopra reminds us that we are much more than our limited bodies, egos, and personalities. The field of human life is open and unbounded, and by adopting healthy habits and maintaining enriching social connections, we can mitigate some of the unpleasant side effects of aging, such as dementia, failing organs, digestive problems, insomnia, and loneliness.
To achieve an ageless body and timeless mind, Chopra recommends incorporating mindfulness practices such as yoga or taking breathing breaks to stop the mind chatter. By doing so, we can free up mental space and tap into our inner resources for creativity and vitality. Living a long life is not the only goal; it can be an extremely lonely and painful one if we have not maintained or developed our social connections and our bodies start failing us. So why not invest in ourselves and our relationships today, and ensure that we have the best possible journey.