The Secret to Feeling Young

Discover the Missing Ingredient for Lifelong Vitality

Oct 28, 2024

💡 In Today’s Edition:

🌱 Roots Reflection: Is your comfort zone keeping you from really living?
🔍 Awareness Action: Building a Growth Mindset Through Curiosity
💛 Kindness Opportunity: Cultivate a Growth Mindset with Small, Intentional Actions

🌱 Roots Reflection: Is your comfort zone keeping you from really living?

Many of us develop an inner voice that says, “I’m too old for this.” As we grow older, that voice can grow louder. We commonly feel more resistant to new ideas or experiences. We all have routines that feel safe and comfortable—sticking to familiar social circles, unwinding with TV each night, or letting hobbies fall by the wayside as life gets busier. Over time, these choices create a comfort zone that’s easy and reassuring but can slowly limit our capacity to grow.

In my recent conversation with aging expert Scott Fulton on The Health Feast, he described how powerful curiosity can be for staying agile and engaged. Scott didn’t start biking until his 40s, and then he took on his first Ironman triathlon (swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles) in his late 40s. Now in his 60s, he still competes in half-Ironman races, proving that age is no barrier to setting fresh goals and breaking out of routines.

This drive to stay curious has lasting benefits beyond fitness. Research by Stanford psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck on the growth mindset shows that being open to learning helps us build resilience and stay adaptable, regardless of age. It’s our approach to new experiences that fuels growth and keeps us moving forward.

🔍 Awareness Action: Building a Growth Mindset Through Curiosity

A growth mindset is the belief that we’re all capable of growth and learning, regardless of age or experience. But in everyday life, it can be easy to fall back on what we know and stop exploring. Curiosity is the antidote to this. It pushes us to try new things, to stay flexible in our thinking, and to find enjoyment in discovery.

When we engage with life from a place of curiosity, we make room for growth and adaptation. Dweck’s research shows that people with a growth mindset are more likely to persist through challenges, which helps protect cognitive health over time. The beautiful thing about curiosity is that it’s a practice we can carry throughout our lives—continuously reshaping how we relate to the world and ourselves.

To explore your relationship with curiosity, consider these questions:

What’s something new I’ve been curious about but haven’t yet explored?
Where have I been “stuck” in routines or assumptions?
How can I approach familiar areas of my life with fresh eyes, as if seeing them for the first time?

Reflecting on these questions can help you bring a sense of possibility and growth into everyday life. Curiosity isn’t just for the young—it’s a mindset that keeps us engaged, learning, and expanding, no matter where we are in life.

💛 Kindness Opportunity: Cultivate a Growth Mindset with Small, Intentional Actions

Embracing a growth mindset is about staying open to new habits, skills, or hobbies—even when it feels uncomfortable. Developing new interests keeps our minds engaged, stretches our abilities, and reminds us of our capacity to grow at any stage. Here are three ways to begin:

Adopt a “Beginner’s Mind”
In Buddhism, a beginner’s mind means approaching each experience as though it’s entirely new—free from expectations or preconceptions. Practicing a beginner’s mind allows us to see the world with openness and curiosity. This week, try embracing a new activity (or a familiar one) with no expectations of perfection. Allow yourself to make mistakes, let go of comparison, and enjoy the learning process itself. This kindness to yourself keeps growth authentic and fulfilling.
Revisit an Old Hobby
Reflect on an activity you once enjoyed but may have put aside—like painting, cooking, or woodworking. Set aside just 10 minutes this week to revisit it without pressure or long-term plans. Reconnecting with something we once loved can spark inspiration and remind us that our interests can always be rekindled.
Take One Tiny Step Toward a New Skill
Have you been wanting to learn something new, like a language, musical instrument, or sport? Start with a single, manageable action: download a language app, watch a YouTube video tutorial, or write down an action step. This small step is about getting started rather than mastering anything. Each small action you take nurtures curiosity and opens doors to new possibilities.

Incorporating these simple practices can foster growth and joy. By keeping a beginner’s mind and taking small steps, you create a foundation of curiosity that supports ongoing growth and discovery—no matter where you are in life.

When you keep your mind open to new possibilities, you’re investing in a future that’s both mentally and emotionally enriching. The reward is not only in the new knowledge you gain but in the reminder that each of us has the potential to grow, no matter where we are in life.

Until next time…

Live Well and RAK ON,
Dr. Rak 👊🏽

P.S. Struggle with changing your diet or exercising more? Get the guidance of me, Dr. Rak. I’ve lost more than 75 pounds and reversed several chronic diseases, all with lifestyle changes, and I want to support you to do the same. Whether you’re looking for personalized care or the support and motivation of a health Tribe, I’m here to help. I’m taking on two new patients this month, so if you're serious about making a change, visit my website or book a free readiness assessment with me today!