Brain, Mind and Language

The “Chambermaid Study,” conducted by Dr. Ellen Langer and her colleagues, examined the impact of exercise beliefs and expectations on hotel chambermaids. The study, published in 2007, is an exploration of how mindset and beliefs can influence health outcomes.

The researchers divided the chambermaids into two groups. One group was informed that their daily work tasks constituted exercise and were beneficial for their health. The other group received no such information and continued to view their work as simply a job. After four weeks, the researchers found that the group who were told that their work constituted exercise had significant improvements in their weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and waist-to-hip ratio compared to the control group.

Dr. Langer explained the significance of the study, stating: “What this study shows is that your mindset about what you’re doing can trump the reality of what you’re doing. If you believe that your job is a form of exercise, it increases your health, even if you’re not going to the gym after work.”

The study has important implications for public health, particularly in societies where low physical activity levels are prevalent. The simple act of informing people about the physical activity involved in their daily routine could have a significant impact on their overall health and well-being. As Dr. Langer notes: “Our findings suggest that something as simple as providing information about the amount of physical activity involved in one’s daily routine can have a significant impact on health. Given the prevalence of low physical activity levels in many societies, this represents a potentially important public health message.”

The Chambermaid Study is a powerful reminder of the mind-body connection and the importance of our beliefs and attitudes in shaping our health outcomes.

References:

Langer, E. J., et al. (2007). Counterclockwise: Mindful health and the power of possibility. Ballantine Books.
Langer, E. J., et al. (2010). Believing is seeing: Using mindlessness (mindfully) to improve visual acuity. Psychological Science, 21(5), 661-666.