Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Do you believe habits are ‘good’ or ‘bad’? Are you constantly trying to create better habits and quit those that don’t serve you? Today’s guest has insights that will help get your New Year off to a great start by truly understanding what habits are – and how to optimise them. James Clear is an entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author of Atomic Habits a handbook for anyone who wants to finally get to grips with successful behaviour change. He shares his learnings via his hugely popular newsletters, to help people use the psychology of habit formation to live healthier, fuller lives. We talk about ‘designing your environment’, building a tribe around you who support what you want to achieve and finding the path of least resistance to what you want to do. When it comes to good versus bad habits, James says it’s more about which are effective – are they serving you? We also discuss how true behaviour change is really identity change. Every action you take towards your goal is a vote for the person you wish to become. You’re no longer that someone who tries to go for a run three times a week, you’re a runner. James says we can all begin by asking ourselves ‘Who do I want to become?’ then looking at what habits we might need to build that identity. This is such a useful conversation, packed with practical tips, and I think it’s a great way to kick off the year. I know you’re going to feel fired up to seek out your new identity once you listen.  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://www.athleticgreens.com/livemore https://www.calm.com/livemore https://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemore Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/321 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 with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

28 Dec 20221h 35min

What are the laws or principles that underpin all human behaviour? Today's guest is someone who has spent many years trying to crack the code and answer that very important question. Robert Greene is an American author and speaker best known for his books on power, strategy and seduction. He's authored six international bestsellers, including his very latest, The Laws Of Human Nature. Trying to understand why people do what they do may sound simple, but it is a highly complex undertaking. Robert has looked at traits such as narcissism, self-absorption, and envy that, I think it’s fair to say, we would describe as negative. But he says that all these impulses – these laws of human nature – can be found in all of us to varying degrees. Coming to terms with that isn’t always easy, but spotting these qualities in ourselves will better enable us to do the same in others. In fact, Robert takes the view that our ability to understand ourselves and relate to others, is our most important survival tool, because we're all social animals. And by understanding these universal laws of human nature, we will improve our mental resilience, our emotional well-being, we’ll be more successful, and we'll have better relationships. We talk about so many thought-provoking topics in this conversation, including the need for radical honesty if we're truly going to change ourselves and the dangers of black and white thinking. Robert also shares what he learnt when he suffered from a serious stroke, including why he now meditates for 45 minutes every single morning, and the insights he's gained from doing so. This is a really powerful conversation that I think is going to have you thinking, questioning, introspecting and reflecting. But ultimately, it's a conversation that will inspire you to take action. 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://www.athleticgreens.com/livemore https://www.calm.com/livemore https://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemore Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/320 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 with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

14 Dec 20221h 38min

This is a powerful story that my guest delivers with extraordinary wisdom. It will stop you in your tracks. 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 144 of the podcast with the wonderful Edith Eger, a holocaust survivor, a psychologist, and an author. This was a powerful conversation that fundamentally changed my perspective on life. In this clip, Edith shares her extraordinary story. 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 sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemore Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/144 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk   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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Dec 202215min

Today I’m pleased to welcome a podcast guest who has become one of my favourite voices on social media, sharing her wisdom on the concept of self-healing. Dr Nicole Le Pera is a clinical psychologist who felt frustrated by the limitations of traditional psychotherapy and was drawn towards a mind, body and spirit approach. She believes that we’re each responsible for our thoughts, behaviours and reactions – and therefore we have the power within us to heal ourselves from past trauma.   Describing herself as The Holistic Psychologist, Nicole says it’s her mission to help you ‘consciously create a new version of yourself’. Her millions of followers on Instagram and YouTube love her clear and insightful posts which identify patterns, beliefs and behaviours we might want to change. Nicole’s latest book is How To Meet Your Self: The Workbook For Self-Discovery. As it sounds, it’s a practical guide to finding out who you really are, the patterns of belief you might be stuck in, and how to overcome them.   We begin by talking about the fact that many of us feel ‘stuck’ in our lives. We’re stressed, anxious, perhaps our work or relationships aren’t going well. It can feel like something’s missing or broken, but we’re not sure what and so we blame ourselves or our circumstances. But Nicole explains that what’s really going on here is that most of what we think, feel and do is a reflection of our past conditioning. We’re stuck in patterns formed in childhood that no longer serve us – or reflect who we really are.   For many of us, it’s our relationships with our partners or children that can help us to finally observe these patterns. Or sometimes, she says, we need to reach rock bottom before we can start the journey of recognition and self-healing. We talk about how exactly to recognise those experiences from childhood that might have shaped your core beliefs. We look at how these beliefs can manifest throughout life in physical stress responses and hard-to-break habits, through to self-sabotaging, destructive behaviours that can leave us feeling deeply unhappy or unwell.   And we discuss Nicole’s definition of emotional maturity as the realisation that your core beliefs aren’t fact – you can override and change them.   This is a very thought-provoking conversation, which I think will get you looking back at your childhood and reflecting on how it might have shaped who you are today. 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. Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/318 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.

7 Dec 20222h 15min

Compassion doesn’t just make us feel good, it can have powerful effects on our health. 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 138 of the podcast with Dr. Julian Abel - a retired consultant in palliative care. In this clip, he explains why compassion and social connection matter so much for our health, our happiness, and our longevity. 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/138 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk   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.

2 Dec 202210min

In the UK, one in 14 people over 65 will develop dementia, with that figure rising to one in six once we’re over 80. It’s fair to say it’s the disease many people fear the most. But this podcast makes it clear that cognitive decline is not a natural or inevitable part of ageing. During the course of this conversation, returning guest Dr Tommy Wood outlines plenty of simple, enjoyable things that we can all start doing right now to improve our brain health and stave off age-related dementia.   Dr Tommy Wood is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics 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 brain health and longevity, he knows his stuff.   We kick off our conversation with the empowering news that we can resist declining brain function simply by challenging ourselves more. We can make new cells, new connections and change the structure around them, harnessing the neuroplasticity of the brain. And it doesn’t matter if we’re 28 or 80, he says. MRI scans prove the brain can adapt at any age.   Tommy explains the importance of rest, for the brain to consolidate all its new pathways, and nutrition to provide the fuel it needs to function well and grow. We talk about the role of B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids for brain development, and the fact there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to optimum diet.   We also talk about the similarity between training your muscles and training your brain. And the research conclusively shows that the more muscle mass you have, and the more you move it, the lower your risk of cognitive decline. Tommy talks us through the types of exercises and the number of reps we need to do to gain muscle and brain benefits. And it's probably less than you think.   We also cover the surprising value of video games, the importance of social connection, and why going to dance classes might just be the best thing you can do for your brain and body. This is a fantastic episode, jam packed with life-changing practical information. 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. Order Dr Chatterjee's latest book Happy Mind, Happy Life: UK version: https://amzn.to/304opgJ, US & Canada version: https://amzn.to/3DRxjgp Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/316 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.

30 Nov 20222h 19min

‘People who score the highest for overall life satisfaction - meaning, purpose, wellbeing – those are the people with the most flow in their lives’. 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 189 of the podcast with Steven Kotler, a human performance expert.    In this clip, Steven explains the link between the flow state and happiness, and he gives some great tips to help you access flow state, avoid burnout, and feel and perform at your best. 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/189 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk   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.

25 Nov 202214min

CAUTION: Contains swearing and themes of an adult nature. Today’s guest has a remarkable life story which includes addiction, mental health struggles, eating disorders, guilt, shame and so much more. Bryony Gordon is a prominent mental health campaigner, a journalist and a bestselling author. Bryony’s latest book, Let Down Your Hair, is a novel about social media, mental health, self-esteem and body image. She’s also recently released a Sunday Times bestseller, No Such Thing As Normal: What My Mental Illness Has Taught Me About Mental Wellness in paperback form.   You may be familiar with Bryony from her Telegraph column, her many books, or her Mad World podcast. Perhaps you’re one of the 206,000 people who follow her updates on Instagram. Or, maybe you know her as the Founder of peer support group Mental Health Mates. Even if you’re new to Bryony and her work, you’re about to get to know her pretty well, thanks to her hallmark honesty and authenticity when it comes to telling her story.   We begin this conversation by talking about Bryony’s experience of obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD. This condition is often misunderstood, with people reducing it to being ‘just’ about excessive tidiness or needing things in order. But Bryony shares the reality of the dark, obsessive thoughts that ruled her life from her early teens. She’s unflinchingly honest about how it led her into alcoholism, drug addiction and bulimia.   We also talk about her surprising relationship with marathon running, her new-found commitment to exercise for how it makes her feel, not how it makes her look and the coping mechanisms she uses to deal with the negative voices inside her head.   Although she would be the first to say she’s a ‘work in progress’ – as all of us are – Bryony passes on some real gems of practical advice and encouragement throughout this conversation which is fun, uplifting and inspiring. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders and may not be suitable for everyone. 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 https://drchatterjee.com/314 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 with any questions you may. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

23 Nov 20221h 55min