The Emma Guns Show

An episode for those times when you don't want to become zen, you just want to be distracted.

To join the closed Facebook group for the podcast click here >> The Emma Guns Show Forum.

To follow me on social media >> Twitter | Instagram.

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Feel-Good Habits | Year in Review

As we begin 2021 I thought it might be helpful to take a look back at the habits my wonderful guests have shared in the #feelgoodhabits show and the ones that have come up time and again. Clearly, these are the habits that, anecdotally, deliver that feel-good feeling, so in this episode, I share some data and research that explains why.

The most common #feelgoodhabits of 2020 include:

• Whether you want to call it exercise, fitness, working out or movement, there’s no denying how often guests cited getting the heart rate up every day. Daily movement is proven to, among other things, improve self-esteem, self-confidence, improve sleep quality and lower stress levels.
• Let’s call this one ‘connection’ - these are those bonds with friends and family. In addition to making up feel-good, these bonds are proven to promote better mental and physical wellbeing.
• The benefits of pausing and being grateful. Showing gratitude allows us to feel and enjoy positive emotions and relish the good things when they happen rather than letting preoccupation with stressors allow them to pass you by.
• Therapy and mindfulness. I’ve grouped these together even though they are quite different, but have been proven to bring about change at brain level for long-term mental health benefits.
• Having a laugh, in whatever form that may take for you. You can spontaneously laugh for a minute and feel how it affects you physically (try it, it’s bonkers, but it’s wonderful), dance like a loon to your favourite feel-good song or find a blooper reel on YouTube. Laughter has been shown to boost immune function, decrease stress-related hormones and increase our good cholesterol.

To join the closed Facebook group for the podcast click here >> The Emma Guns Show Forum.

To follow me on social media >> Twitter | Instagram.

Hey! Why not share your thoughts and insights to make your listening experience even better. Complete this listener survey to tell me what you want to hear: http://bit.ly/theemmagunsshow-survey

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

Feel-Good Habits | Year in Review

As we begin 2021 I thought it might be helpful to take a look back at the habits my wonderful guests have shared in the #feelgoodhabits show and the ones that have come up time and again. Clearly, these are the habits that, anecdotally, deliver that feel-good feeling, so in this episode, I share some data and research that explains why.

The most common #feelgoodhabits of 2020 include:

• Whether you want to call it exercise, fitness, working out or movement, there’s no denying how often guests cited getting the heart rate up every day. Daily movement is proven to, among other things, improve self-esteem, self-confidence, improve sleep quality and lower stress levels.
• Let’s call this one ‘connection’ - these are those bonds with friends and family. In addition to making up feel-good, these bonds are proven to promote better mental and physical wellbeing.
• The benefits of pausing and being grateful. Showing gratitude allows us to feel and enjoy positive emotions and relish the good things when they happen rather than letting preoccupation with stressors allow them to pass you by.
• Therapy and mindfulness. I’ve grouped these together even though they are quite different, but have been proven to bring about change at brain level for long-term mental health benefits.
• Having a laugh, in whatever form that may take for you. You can spontaneously laugh for a minute and feel how it affects you physically (try it, it’s bonkers, but it’s wonderful), dance like a loon to your favourite feel-good song or find a blooper reel on YouTube. Laughter has been shown to boost immune function, decrease stress-related hormones and increase our good cholesterol.

To join the closed Facebook group for the podcast click here >> The Emma Guns Show Forum.

To follow me on social media >> Twitter | Instagram.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/emmagunavardhana.

Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Rangan Chatterjee makes a welcome return to the podcast for a conversation about weight loss. While it’s that time of year when we’re bombarded with messaging about ‘new year, new you’ and so many prompts about going on a diet and starting a new fitness regime this episode definitely isn’t that.

@drchatterjee shares his insights from nearly 20 years in GP practice and those appointments where his patients have said, ‘I just can’t seem to lose weight’. What Rangan observed is that so many people were only looking at diet and exercise when, in actual fact, there are more factors at play.

Rangan supports his expertise from years in practice and scientific research with his signature approach, which is one of compassion. It’s this approach that has helped him guide patients towards their goals and now readers of his new book Feel Great, Lose Weight.

In our conversation @drchatterjee and I discuss:

• The emotional relationship we have with our bodies, food and fitness.
• The controversial topic of ‘food addiction’.
• Why you can be trying your very best to be healthy and fall short for reasons that aren’t your fault.
• How to break down your health goals so they become enjoyable pursuits not another stick to beat yourself with.
• How to have a healthy relationship with your bathroom scales.
• Why how we talk to ourselves is a crucial part of our progress.
• How our emotional baggage and childhood experiences can influence our weight; and so much more....

I am acutely aware that the subjects of weight and weight loss can be difficult ones to approach because the relationship we have with these issues tends to be an emotional one. For that reason, we are inclined to see, hear and react to discussion of these issues through that personal emotional filter. 

I don’t want to apologise for my content but I do want to explain; I hope it’s evident I have no intention, when creating any episode of the podcast, to upset, alienate, offend or shame. As much as I’m mindful of this and have wrestled with whether it’s appropriate to create content on weight loss or not, I’ve decided it’s important to have this conversation for the benefit of the person it may help rather than not create it for the person it may potentially offend.

To join the closed Facebook group for the podcast click here >> The Emma Guns Show Forum.

To follow me on social media >> Twitter | Instagram.

Hey! Why not share your thoughts and insights to make your listening experience even better. Complete this listener survey to tell me what you want to hear: http://bit.ly/theemmagunsshow-survey

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

In this episode, I answer a question I’ve been receiving a lot over the last few weeks and that’s how to tap in your motivation. How to get ‘in the zone’ when it comes to reaching goals.

This question is mostly about fitness, and usually in response to my morning IG stories where I chat to you pre- and post-workout, so that’s what I focus on in this episode but the tips for setting goals, aims and objectives and not losing momentum are, I think, universal.

At this time of year we are bombarded with messages about ‘new year, new you’ and, as I explain in the episode, I loathe that messaging. It’s lazy and unhelpful and this idea that you need to get ‘back on track’ or atone for your festive excesses with a new fitness regime or diet is shaming. 

I don’t intend to contribute to that narrative with this episode, but as so many people have asked the same question I did want to answer in a way that, I hope, is responsible and helpful.

In the episode, I share the five strategies that work for me:

• Take a step back from your goal and look at all the things that may influence the success of your efforts. 
• Surrounding yourself with the right kind of inspiration, even if it’s just virtually.
• Avoid the ‘all the gear, no idea’ approach to achieving your goal.
• Set yourself up for success by plotting a path to your goal with achievable ‘wins’ along the way. 
• Stick with it: it may sound boring but consistency is arguably the most important component when trying to achieve any goal.

As ever, I’d love to know what you think whether that’s in the comments below, on DM or via email. I make this podcast for YOU and if there’s anything you’d like to hear on this subject, or any other, please feel free to let me know.

To join the closed Facebook group for the podcast click here >> The Emma Guns Show Forum.

To follow me on social media >> Twitter | Instagram.

#podcast #selfhelp #loneliness #lonely #health #mentalhealth #wellness

Hey! Why not share your thoughts and insights to make your listening experience even better. Complete this listener survey to tell me what you want to hear: http://bit.ly/theemmagunsshow-survey

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

Sali Hughes is a journalist, broadcaster and author who joins me on the podcast to share her feel-good habits, the strategies she uses and recommends to make sure every day is a good day.

During our conversation @salihughes reveals:

• How ending the day with a cryptic crossword eases her into a good night’s sleep.
• The confusing messaging around exercise and fitness generally and how she loathes the process but enjoys the results.
• Why it’s so important to get dressed even when you’re in lockdown or working from home for prolonged periods.
• The way in which she uses fragrance to set her mood and why scent is her one concession to ‘woo-waa’.
• How cooking is an act of love; to oneself and the people around you.
• Why she’s a fan of intermittent fasting.
• The power of female friendships and the work that goes into creating close, supportive bonds; and much more…

Sali mentions the following fragrances:

• Thierry Mugler Cologne
• Oakwood for Sunspel by Lyn Harris
• Frédéric Malle Cologne Indélébile
• Diptyque Philosykos
• Guerlain L'Heure Bleue
• Coco by Chanel
• Glossier You
• Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur
• Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady

Sali also mentions The Times Cryptic Crossword and The Guardian Cryptic Crossword and the Madonna Peloton ride.

To join the closed Facebook group for the podcast click here >> The Emma Guns Show Forum.

To follow me on social media >> Twitter | Instagram.

Hey! Why not share your thoughts and insights to make your listening experience even better. Complete this listener survey to tell me what you want to hear: http://bit.ly/theemmagunsshow-survey

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

Sali Hughes is a journalist, broadcaster and author who joins me on the podcast to share her feel-good habits, the strategies she uses and recommends to make sure every day is a good day.

During our conversation @salihughes reveals:

• How ending the day with a cryptic crossword eases her into a good night’s sleep.
• The confusing messaging around exercise and fitness generally and how she loathes the process but enjoys the results.
• Why it’s so important to get dressed even when you’re in lockdown or working from home for prolonged periods.
• The way in which she uses fragrance to set her mood and why scent is her one concession to ‘woo-waa’.
• How cooking is an act of love; to oneself and the people around you.
• Why she’s a fan of intermittent fasting.
• The power of female friendships and the work that goes into creating close, supportive bonds; and much more…

Sali mentions the following fragrances:

• Thierry Mugler Cologne
• Oakwood for Sunspel by Lyn Harris
• Frédéric Malle Cologne Indélébile
• Diptyque Philosykos
• Guerlain L'Heure Bleue
• Coco by Chanel
• Glossier You
• Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur
• Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady

Sali also mentions The Times Cryptic Crossword and The Guardian Cryptic Crossword and the Madonna Peloton ride.

To join the closed Facebook group for the podcast click here >> The Emma Guns Show Forum.

To follow me on social media >> Twitter | Instagram.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/emmagunavardhana.

Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Puddicombe is the co-founder and voice of the @headspace app and he came on the show in March 2019 to share his wisdom on meditation and mindfulness. 

It’s estimated 1 in 6 people are currently struggling with their mental health so it seemed timely to re-share my conversation with Andy. As we conclude 2020 and reflect on what has been a challenging 12 months, the overload may be triggering, upsetting and unsettling for many of us, so it seemed like the perfect time to share Andy's insights and wisdom.

Andy began meditating aged 10, spent 10 years as a Buddhist monk and, I can tell you from having spent time with him, he exudes stillness and calm in a way that I’ve never seen on experienced before.

If you’re currently feeling anxious you may find Andy’s insights helpful. During our unedited conversation, @andypuddicombe explains:

- How to approach meditation if it’s new to you.

- The symmetry between nutrition and meditation in how we look after ourselves and our health.

- How meditation can ease feelings of anxiety.

- Why meditation doesn’t mean that you have to empty your mind.

- The role of breathing in meditation.

- The difference between meditation and mindfulness.

- The difference between our thoughts and intuition.

- How to learn not to believe everything you think, and much more…

To join the closed Facebook group for the podcast click here >> The Emma Guns Show Forum.

To follow me on social media >> Twitter | Instagram.

Hey! Why not share your thoughts and insights to make your listening experience even better. Complete this listener survey to tell me what you want to hear: http://bit.ly/theemmagunsshow-survey

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

Caroline Hirons, Trinny Woodall and Nadine Baggott joined me on the podcast for what ended up being one of the most unstructured conversations I've ever committed to audio for this podcast.

I'm revisiting it this Christmas as so many listeners have shared that they have found such wisdom and insight in this episode and that it has kept them company and made them feel connected. Given the circumstances of Christmas 2020 offering connection seems like the least I can do so I'm bringing it out of the vault for your enjoyment - whether it keeps you company while you prepare Christmas lunch or take a few minutes for yourself away from everyone.

To join the closed Facebook group for the podcast click here >> The Emma Guns Show Forum.

To follow me on social media >> Twitter | Instagram.

Hey! Why not share your thoughts and insights to make your listening experience even better. Complete this listener survey to tell me what you want to hear: http://bit.ly/theemmagunsshow-survey

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

This episode is taken from an IGTV I published shortly after the Tier 4 restrictions in the UK.

If you're struggling right now or are finding it particularly difficult at Christmas then I hope this helps.

To join the closed Facebook group for the podcast click here >> The Emma Guns Show Forum.

To follow me on social media >> Twitter | Instagram.

Hey! Why not share your thoughts and insights to make your listening experience even better. Complete this listener survey to tell me what you want to hear: http://bit.ly/theemmagunsshow-survey

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