443: Mental arthritis & how optimism improves longevity | Psychologist Elaine Fox, Ph.D.

Elaine Fox, Ph.D.: “In life we tend to get mental arthritis. We get a little bit rigid and set in our ways.” 

Elaine, a psychologist and author, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how to stay mentally agile as you age, plus:

- What does it mean to be mentally agile? (~01:04)

- How your brain’s flexibility wanes as you age (~03:29)

- How social media impacts your mental agility (~05:08)

- How to know if you’re mentally agile (~08:32)

- How to balance routine & getting out of your comfort zone (~12:53)

- The four pillars that underlie your agility (~15:38)

- How to instantly understand someone’s personality (~18:35)

- The link between exercise & self-awareness (~22:20)

- A technique to understand your life story (~23:54)

- The psychology of resilience (~29:02)

- The science of intuition (~31:54)

- How to make your intuition stronger (~34:39)

- The fine line between optimism & toxic positivity (~38:55)

- How optimism can improve your longevity (~44:36)

- The best brain exercises to enhance mental agility (~51:50)

- How diverse perspectives can strengthen your brain (~55:08)

Referenced in the episode:

- Elaine's book, Switch Craft: The Hidden Power of Mental Agility.

- Take an OCEAN personality test.

- The Psychology of the Stranger research.

- A study on resilience and post-traumatic growth.

- Elaine's study on adolescents and resilience.

- Elaine's previous book, Rainy Brain, Sunny Brain.

- A study on optimism and longevity.

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