Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

This podcast contains some of the simplest, most effective advice on brain health you will ever hear. It explains why the cognitive decline we expect with age isn’t inevitable at all. And why up to 70 percent of cases of dementia are, in fact, preventable.

I’m speaking with neuroscientist Dr Tommy Wood, one of the most respected voices on brain health today. He works with Formula One drivers and elite athletes to deliver peak cognitive and physical performance. He’s a researcher whose work spans brain development, traumatic brain injury and dementia – all of which is compellingly distilled into his new book, The Stimulated Mind.

Tommy is a plain speaker and motivating communicator and in this episode he explains why it’s the way you use your brain that matters more than almost anything else you can do for your long-term health. He outlines his 3S framework, Stimulate, Supply and Support, which makes brain health feel like something we can all influence – no expensive supplements or specialist training necessary.

Instead it’s learning new skills, trying complex activities, and staying socially connected that counts. Sure, we need good nutrition and plenty of rest. But without cognitive stimulation our brains can’t develop. It’s as much good, says Tommy, as drinking a protein shake but never lifting a weight!

We discuss different types of exercise and why our brains need a mix of aerobic, resistance and coordinative activities. Tommy describes taking dance classes or practising racquet sports as one of the best things we can do for our brains. So if you’ve ever fancied playing padel or trying tango? Now you’ve got some extra motivation.

Tommy also helps us understand that feeling of being ‘tired yet wired’ – when you’re physically exhausted and mentally overwhelmed, but can’t switch off and rest. I love his solution of restructuring your day around different cognitive gears, to help.

Plus, we discuss the hugely important, often overlooked topic of women’s brain health. What does the science really say about cognitive decline in menopause? The outlook is more hopeful than you might have thought.

Our conversation is packed with practical advice and evidence-backed insights that I want everyone to hear. Cognitive decline isn’t inevitable. Dementia isn’t your destiny. Whatever your age and whatever your worry, there are so many easy steps you can take, starting today, that are guaranteed to make a difference.

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://drinkag1.com/livemore

https://boncharge.com/livemore

https://onepeloton.co.uk

 

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/638

 

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.

All through March, our community has been building a simple daily meditation habit — and if you haven’t started yet, there’s still plenty of time to join us.

Here’s a beautiful meditation from Henry, just for the Feel Better, Live More
community. It’s amazing how taking a few moments of stillness, where we put down the to-do list and just drop into being, can really shift how we feel.

Meditation is an incredibly powerful tool for transforming our lives. But like any positive habit, it can be a hard thing to start and maintain. That’s why I love challenges — short, intensive commitments that help us to really kickstart a new habit or reinforce one we love.

 Throughout March, here at Feel Better, Live More, I’ve teamed up with Zen master Henry Shukman and his meditation app The Way, to bring you our
first-ever Meditation Challenge, to help turbocharge your meditation practice. After meeting Henry last year, I've become a huge fan of his meditation app, The Way. I use it myself most days and really believe in what they're doing - so much that I've personally invested in the company.

It doesn’t matter when you start, committing to 30 days of meditation has the power to not only improve your life, but the life of those around you too.

Visit thewayapp.com/livemore to sign up, access 30 free meditation sessions and join the movement.

 

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/637

 

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.

Many of the habits and reactions that shape our adult lives began as clever coping strategies in childhood. While they once helped us survive difficult situations, they can later limit our relationships and happiness. By becoming aware of these patterns, we can start to change them.

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 495 of the podcast with author, internationally renowned philosopher, and founder of The School of Life, the wonderful Alain de Botton.

Alain is known for his unique ability to apply philosophical concepts to everyday life. In this clip, he explains how our childhood can impact our adult relationships and behaviours and he shares some practical tools that can help us better understand ourselves and each other.

Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠https://thewayapp.com/livemore

Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/495

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.⁠⁠

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

Most of us are quite comfortable with change when we’ve chosen it: a new job, new home or new relationship.  It’s the unwanted, unexpected changes that tend to floor us - like an illness, loss or breakup - that leave us wondering who we are and how on earth we’re meant to go on.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist and author ofThe Other Side of Change. Maya has spent years studying how our minds respond to change, and she’s also gone through some profound changes of her own – from a hand injury that shattered her hopes of becoming a concert violinist, to a long, painful journey with fertility.

We talk about so many different topics related to the theme of change, including why our brains find uncertainty so stressful, how unwanted change can reveal hidden beliefs that we hold and why witnessing other people’s courage or kindness can quietly change what we believe is possible for ourselves. We also explore a variety of evidence-based practical tools to help us deal with things like rumination and negative thought spirals.

Throughout the conversation, Maya unpacks some inspiring stories of people facing extreme adversity - things like illness, betrayal, loss and even imprisonment – who were still able to find meaning, new identities and unexpected gifts on the other side.

Yes, change is something that many humans struggle with, but as you are about to learn, with the right approach, it can be one of the very best tools to help us transform, grow and evolve.

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://vivobarefoot.com/livemore

https://onepeloton.co.uk

https://thewayapp.com/livemore

 

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/635

 

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.

In this special episode of my Feel Better, Live More podcast - the second in the series - I’m inviting you to join me for something that has truly transformed my own life. I am a big believer in the transformative power of meditation. I also know how hard it can be to start and stick to a daily practice in our busy, modern world.

Together, Zen Master, Henry Shukman and I designed Meditation March with The Way app to give you some motivation to finally start your daily practice – or perhaps deepen one you already have. We wanted to create a community of likeminded people, coming together to shake off their busy lives and find stillness for a few minutes each day. And so far, it’s really working!

Henry has recorded this short meditation for you to try now. Today’s simple lesson is that meditation isn’t another thing you have to do. Rather it's the one time you get to put down all the tools and just ‘be’.

If you like what you hear, why not join me on our 30-day challenge, for free. All you need to do is visit: https://www.thewayapp.com/livemore, download the app and join the rest of us, who are already meditating our way through March.

 

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/634

 

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.