Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Today’s guest proposes that awe is an emotion that’s all around us, waiting to be discovered – and in doing so, we can transform our health and lives for the better.

Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.

Today’s clip is from episode 340 of the podcast professor of psychology and author of the book The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, Dr Dacher Keltner.

Dacher has spent decades studying the science of happiness, and in this clip, he shares how experiencing awe and everyday wonder can transform our physical and mental wellbeing.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/340

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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

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This extra special – and slightly different – episode of the podcast is for anyone who’s ever felt confused about best practice for good health. If you’ve wondered which diet is the best one for your health, or if you are confused about how much protein you should be consuming - or whether a little bit of alcohol has any health benefit at all - then I have just the guest for you. 

Dr Tommy Wood is Assistant Professor of Paediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Washington, US. He holds a degree in biochemistry from Cambridge, a medical degree from Oxford, achieved his PhD in physiology and neuroscience in Oslo, and has published papers and lectured across the globe. It’s fair to say that when it comes to health and longevity, Tommy knows what he’s talking about. And that’s exactly why I invited him back onto my podcast for the third time. 

He, like myself, is passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health by simplifying the wealth of information that exists and giving people practical, realistic recommendations. In today’s conversation, Tommy and I work through a list of common areas of confusion when it comes to our wellbeing. And together we try to put the received wisdom in context, summarise the evidence, and then give nuanced, practical advice.

We begin with alcohol, and Tommy explains that while there are no proven health benefits to drinking it, there are caveats. And that becomes a theme for this conversation. Nothing is all good, or all bad - context is always key.

Next, we cover caffeine and its effect on performance, cognitive function, gut health, stress and, again, sleep. Then we dive deep into the hot topic of sugar, ultra-processed foods, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and other trackers.

We go on to tackle protein, the minimum effective dose for exercise, the importance of building muscle, and the supplements we might want to consider taking. And for every subject we cover, Tommy exposes the common pitfalls in research methods and tells us what the science can show, but also what it can’t. 

There are so many mixed messages out there when it comes to our health. Our hope is that this conversation offers a valuable lesson in critical thinking and context, and highlights the importance of taking a personalised approach to your health. 

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://exhalecoffee.com/livemore

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/404

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

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Procrastination is a common form of self-sabotage, resulting in many of us feeling stuck.

Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.

Today’s clip is from episode 332 of the podcast with clinical psychologist, Dr Ramani Durvasula.

In this clip, Dr Ramani explains how procrastination can be linked to anxiety and she share some practical ways to help overcome it.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/332

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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

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How would you like to think with greater clarity, feel confident in your choices, and finally be capable of sticking to good habits? Today’s guest might just show you how.

Shane Parrish is the entrepreneur and wisdom seeker behind Farnham Street and The Knowledge Project podcast, where he focuses on mastering the best of what other people have figured out. He is also the author of the wonderful new book, Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Results, in which he shares timeless insights and actionable tips, to help us all make better decisions in every aspect of our lives. 

When we think about decision-making, we probably think of those big choices in life as the ones that matter: what subjects to study, which job to take, house to buy or partner to settle down with. But Shane asserts that it’s the smaller, everyday decisions that really shape our path. Choices like what to eat, how to respond to a tricky email or how to tackle a tricky conversation with your partner. And why these matter is because they become our customary, quick-fire responses – behaviours or habits, which we struggle to change because we don’t fully understand that we’re even doing them.

This doesn’t mean we have to take time to ruminate over every situation in life. Shane introduces the concept of personal rules as a powerful tool to override the ‘four defaults’ driving most human behaviour: emotions, ego, social pressure and plain inertia. 

Overcoming them usually means relying on willpower. But rules – such as bedtimes, food choices, or technology limits – help us easily align decisions with our values and goals. Rules are just one of the super-useful hacks Shane shares. We discuss the difference between high-stakes decisions and quick-fire choices. He introduces the powerful notion of playing life on ‘easy mode’ to put us in the best position for success – like setting the difficulty level on a video game in your favour.

Shane also talks about the importance of separating problems from their solutions. And he advises appointing your own ‘board of directors’ – real, historical, famous or fictional people whose opinion you’d value. ‘Consulting’ them on dilemmas will give you new perspectives.

Shane’s ethos is all about finding the hidden opportunity in ordinary moments. In a world where our lives and minds feel increasingly cluttered, his advice can cut-through and help us find clarity.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore

https://boncharge.com/livemore

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/402

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

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There’s a simple, free habit that you can do every morning to improve your health, boost your productivity and improve your sleep.

Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.

Today’s clip is from episode 242 of the podcast with California based medical doctor, Roger Seheult. In this clip, he shares why getting the right light at the right times is so important for our circadian rhythms, our health and the quantity and quality of our sleep.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/242

Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee

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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. 

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Longevity is a hot topic these days. We’re obsessed with anti-ageing as if getting older should be avoided or even reversed at all costs! Of course, we can’t do that and I’m not sure we’d really want to. But today’s guest brings valuable insights about what we can do, to make sure we age healthily and happily.

Professor Rose Anne Kenny is a medical gerontologist, Regius Professor of Physic and Chair of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin. She’s the Founding Principal Investigator of Ireland’s largest population study of ageing (TILDA) and the author of the international bestseller Age Proof: The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life.

In today’s conversation, Professor Kenny reveals that while 20 percent of ageing is genetic and can’t be changed, 80 percent is epigenetic – in other words, we have the power to influence how quickly or how slowly we age.

Her number one recommendation is to have good quality friendships and relationships throughout our lives. Then follow a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and reduce stress. Nothing too surprising, perhaps. But what might surprise you is just how far reaching the effects of these relatively simple measures can be – and how much what you do in your 20s can impact your 80s.

We talk about how to avoid metabolic syndrome and why it’s important to know key biological markers throughout life. We discuss the benefits of community, family, volunteering and inter-generational friendships, and the undercurrent of ageism that prevails in society.

Loneliness increased threefold during the pandemic, according to the TILDA study, and it’s left some people feeling afraid to reconnect. Yet isolation is known to cause inflammation, suppress immunity and speed ageing.

Professor Kenny believes we should flip convenience on its head when it comes to exercise. Instead of taking the easy option which means moving less, we should look at the ‘harder’ options, such as taking the stairs or carrying heavy bags, as convenient ways to build activity and strength training into our lives. She also shares excellent advice on sex and intimacy, sleeping better, laughing more, and finding purpose all around you.

This is a wonderful and practical conversation that is going to give you a variety of simple ways to play the long game when it comes to ageing. And the empowering message is that it’s never too early or too late to start.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://hunterandgatherfoods.com/livemore

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

https://naturalmat.co.uk/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/400

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Have you ever felt held back by a habit or pattern of thinking that you feel powerless to break? 

Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.

Today's clip is from episode 308 of the podcast with Dr Bruce Lipton. In childhood our subconscious minds can take on unhelpful beliefs that drive our habits and thinking throughout our lives. In this clip, Bruce shares how we can reprogram our minds and create positive change in our lives.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/308 

Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee

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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. 

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Could you live out of a single backpack? Not for a few weeks or months, but as a lifestyle choice? Well, five years ago, today’s guest gave up his luxury apartment, its contents, his cars and all his possessions – apart from those that fit into his trusty backpack.

Light Watkins has been practising daily meditation for 20 years and teaching it for 15. He’s a mindfulness expert and the bestselling author of four books. His latest book, Travel Light: Spiritual Minimalism to Live a More Fulfilled Life might sound like a guide to decluttering – and in some ways it is. But Light is not necessarily talking about us getting rid of our possessions, he’s trying to help us clear away our inner clutter - the mental baggage that weighs us down, so that we can better see the path to fulfilment and happiness.

Light believes that we should be following our hearts more, and our heads less. This involves knowing our values, tuning in to our curiosity and then taking small leaps of faith towards our purpose. He explains why a daily practice of stillness and contemplation is so important and shares practical advice that will help you make friends with your thoughts and turn your mind into your ally. He also explains how meditation works to dissolve stress and feed our intuition.

It really is a fantastic conversation that takes us to some really deep and meaningful places - we discuss whether time can ever really be wasted. Light talks us through his own minimalist fitness regime – and you’ll find out why he thinks meditation is like a Rubik’s Cube, as well as why he sometimes takes his showers fully clothed!

Above all, Light’s minimalist philosophy is about breaking free from the ‘achievements bring happiness’ approach to life and discovering that happiness really does come from within.  I hope you enjoy listening.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://calm.com/livemore

https://hunterandgatherfoods.com/livemore

https://carolbike.com/livemore

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/398

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

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My guest today believes that if we start to focus and prioritise our largest organ – our muscle – we can burn more fat, improve our body composition, decrease our risk of disease, and increase our energy levels.

Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.

Today's clip is from episode 296 of the podcast with Dr Gabrielle Lyon – an osteopathic doctor who is board certified in family medicine.

Gabrielle believes that the single biggest problem with our health these days is not that we carry too much fat but that we don’t carry enough muscle. In this clip, she explains why strength training is critical for our health and how it can help us live longer, stronger, and better lives. 

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/296

Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee

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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. 

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My guest today has spent his entire career, trying to understand mental illness.  What’s really causing it – and how can we better manage it.

Dr Chris Palmer is Director of the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education at McLean Hospital, Massachusetts and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. 

In today’s episode, he shares some of the profound insights he's gained over almost 30 years as an academic psychiatrist. He combines years of clinical, neuroscience and metabolic studies into one unifying idea: that mental disorders are not caused by a chemical imbalance. Instead, they are metabolic disorders of the brain, caused by dysfunction in our mitochondria.

It’s a theory that connects physical, mental and emotional health, and it’s the topic of his excellent new book, Brain Energy. Chris doesn’t deny the roles trauma, psychological and social factors can play in poor mental health. But he explains the link between these factors and our metabolism, and how diet and lifestyle interventions can help. Excitingly, Chris explains that making changes to our diet and lifestyle actually offer far more hope for long-term remission than existing treatments, which generally aim to only reduce symptoms.

As Chris reveals, his own experience with trauma and mental illness is what drives him to try and help millions of people around the world who are still suffering. Chris is advocating for a transformation in the way we view and treat mental health. And, if that happens, it won’t just help ease an epidemic of depression, anxiety and other conditions – it also has the potential to address all of the chronic diseases that are underpinned by metabolic dysfunction.

Chris is knowledgeable, passionate and articulate. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with him and I hope you enjoy listening.

CAUTION: This podcast discusses ketogenic diets. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any drastic changes to your diet.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://exhalecoffee.com/livemore

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/396

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices