Enhancing Mental Health Through Lifestyle Medicine: A Mind-Body Connection

Dr. Juna, host of the MindBodySpace podcast, alongside monthly special guest, Dr. April Hirschberg, Harvard Psychiatrist specializing in Mind-Body and Lifestyle Medicine Coaching discuss the significant impact of lifestyle choices on mental health.

They emphasize the mind-body connection, focusing on how diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management can improve mental well-being. The discussion highlights their backgrounds and efforts in lifestyle medicine and the importance of incorporating physical health when addressing mental health.

Key topics include the effects of diet on neurotransmitters, substance use, exercise-mood connection, and practical tips for effective stress management.

The episode wraps up with insights from a paper co-authored by Dr. Hirschberg aimed at fostering a better understanding of lifestyle choices on mental health and actionable changes we can make in our daily lives.

00:00 Introduction to Diet and Mental Health

00:26 Welcome to the MindBodySpace Podcast

01:22 The Importance of Stress Management

01:45 Mental Health Awareness Month

02:26 Connecting Mental and Physical Health

04:16 Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health

10:34 The Role of Nutrition in Mental Health

11:48 Substance Use and Mental Health

14:43 Physical Activity and Mental Health

17:56 Understanding and Managing Stress

20:05 Conclusion and Future Discussions

FREE ARTICLE discussed in this episode: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9442472/