Our beliefs shape how we age.

When talking with patients about an injury or symptom in the clinic, one of the most common remarks we hear is: “That’s just age, isn’t it?” 

The reality is that the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Age certainly plays a role in many of the changes we experience in our bodies. However, using “age” as a blanket explanation can sometimes lead us to feel as though we have little influence over our health. 

This article focuses on the idea that, regardless of age, we still have a meaningful level of influence over our wellbeing. Two useful psychological concepts that help explain this are locus of control and growth mindset. 

Locus of control is a psychological concept developed by Julian Rotter in the 1950s. It refers to whether we believe the events in our lives are largely shaped by our own actions or by external forces. 

People with an internal locus of control tend to believe their actions influence outcomes. They see their behaviour, choices and effort as important factors in shaping their health and life circumstances. 

In contrast, those with a more external locus of control tend to attribute outcomes to factors outside their control, such as luck, fate, circumstances or the actions of other people. 

Of course, some things genuinely are outside our control. Time continues to move forward, our bodies inevitably change, and unexpected events can affect us. However, many aspects of health remain within our influence. Recognising what we can control often determines whether we adopt proactive behaviours or not. 

The second concept, growth mindset, comes from psychologist Carol Dweck and was popularised in her book Mindset published in 2006. It refers to whether we believe our abilities and skills can improve through effort, learning and persistence. 

A fixed mindset tends to view abilities as largely static. People with this perspective may avoid challenges, see effort as less valuable, become defensive when criticised, or feel threatened by the success of others. 

A growth mindset, on the other hand, recognises that abilities can develop over time. People with this mindset are more willing to learn from failure, embrace challenges and draw inspiration from others. 

When these two concepts are considered together, they provide a useful framework for thinking about healthy ageing. Ideally, we develop both an internal locus of control and a growth mindset. This allows us to first identify which aspects of our health are within our influence, and then believe that positive change is possible through effort and persistence. 

Importantly, not everything can be changed. Some aspects of life and biology are fixed, and recognising these limits is equally important. The key is learning to focus energy on the areas where action can genuinely make a difference. 

Adopting this perspective requires ongoing reflection about our circumstances, the determination to pursue meaningful goals, and the wisdom to adjust course when necessary. 

So yes, ageing inevitably plays a role in many of the issues we experience. But it does not remove our influence. In many ways, we remain firmly in the driver’s seat when it comes to how well we age. 

It is never too late to take steps toward better health, challenge limiting beliefs, and take greater ownership of the decisions that shape our lives.