Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live

Recipient of the 2023 Richard Kalish Innovative Publication Book Award

Yale professor and leading expert on the psychology of successful aging, Dr. Becca Levy, draws on her ground-breaking research to show how age beliefs can be improved so they benefit all aspects of the aging process, including the way genes operate and the extension of life expectancy by 7.5 years.

The often-surprising results of Levy’s groundbreaking science of aging offer stunning revelations about the mind-body connection. She demonstrates that many health problems formerly considered to be entirely due to the aging process, such as memory loss, hearing decline, and cardiovascular events, are instead influenced by the negative age beliefs and societal ageism that dominate in the US and other countries. It’s time for all of us to rethink aging and Breaking the Age Code shows us how to do just that.

Based on her innovative research, stories that range from pop culture to the corporate boardroom, and her own life, Levy shows how age beliefs shape all aspects of our lives. She also presents a variety of fascinating people who have benefited from positive age beliefs as well as an entire town that has flourished with these beliefs.

Breaking the Age Code is a landmark work, presenting not only easy-to-follow techniques for improving age beliefs so they can contribute to successful aging, but also a blueprint to reduce structural ageism for lasting change and an age-just society.

Discover the science-backed tools to transform your own aging process:

• Longevity Advantage: Learn how positive age beliefs can add up to 7.5 years to your life, a greater survival advantage than low cholesterol or blood pressure.
• The Mind-Body Connection: Uncover how challenges like memory loss and hearing decline are not inevitable, but are powerfully influenced by the age beliefs we hold.
• Genes Aren’t Destiny: Find out how your mindset can buffer against dementia, even for those who carry the high-risk gene for Alzheimer’s.
• A Blueprint for Change: Explore easy-to-follow techniques to improve your personal age beliefs and a clear plan to help dismantle structural ageism in society.