Silence as Medicine: How Moments of Stillness Transform Your Brain, Body & Emotional Health with Erling Kagge #551

This week, I'm joined by the remarkable Erling Kagge, Norwegian adventurer, philosopher and acclaimed writer. Erling is the first person to complete the "Three Poles Challenge" - reaching the North Pole, the South Pole, and the summit of Mount Everest on foot. After this record-breaking feat, Erling attended Cambridge University to study philosophy.  He’s also the author of multiple best-selling books, including, Silence: In the Age of Noise and Walking: One Step at a Time. When Erling was 29, he did something most of us can't imagine - he walked alone to the South Pole for 50 days in complete silence, with no radio contact whatsoever. What started as a physical journey across ice became something far more profound - a journey into himself.  In our conversation, we explore  Why Erling believes silence is where "the world's secrets are hidden" and how finding quiet moments can help us get to know ourselves better - and appreciate others more Erling’s surprising relationship with fear and how being "one with the environment" creates an unexpected sense of peace even in extreme danger - like facing a charging polar bear! The three simple origins of true gratefulness that Erling found during his expeditions: feeling warm after being cold, feeling full after being hungry and resting after exhaustion – experiences most of us rarely have in our comfortable modern lives How our experience of boredom has completely changed – from being bored because nothing is happening to feeling bored because too many things are happening at once Why Erling believes we should actually "make our lives more difficult" on purpose and how this approach helps us find meaning and satisfaction Practical ideas for bringing moments of silence into our busy lives – whether it's walking without your phone, taking the stairs instead of the lift, or just standing still for a few minutes As Erling reminds us, most of us don't realise what we're truly capable of. His encouragement to break free from limiting beliefs, to move our bodies more, and to add variety to our routines offers a practical path toward a more meaningful life.  In his words, finding fulfilment is about "finding your own North Pole" – a journey that asks us to be brave enough to face ourselves in silence. 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://drinkag1.com/livemore https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore https://airbnb.co.uk/host   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/551   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.

Journalling regularly has been shown to decrease emotional stress, make it easier to turn new behaviours into long term habits, improve the quality of our relationships and, ultimately, help us lead more mindful and intentional lives. It can help improve sleep, lead to better decision making and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. 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 413 of the podcast which was a solo episode where I outlined the transformative power of journaling.  I’ve recommended a journalling practice to thousands of my patients over the years, but I’ve also seen the positive impact it has had on my own life as well. In this clip, I share how you can get started really easily by asking yourself 3 powerful questions every morning. They are deceptively simple and answering them will take less than 5 minutes, but doing so can prove transformative. If you want to take a look at ‘The 3 Question Journal’ go to https://drchatterjee.com/journal Thanks to our sponsor https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore 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/413 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.

Almost everyone today is addicted to something. From phones and social media to alcohol and drugs, our modern life has created an unprecedented epidemic of dependency. But what is actually driving this addiction and how can we actually break free?   This week’s returning guest is Dr Joe Dispenza. Dr Joe is a best-selling author, speaker, researcher and someone who has been studying neuroscience, meditation and stress for decades. He believes that every single one of us has a lot more potential that we think, and once we start to tap into that potential, we can create huge changes in our lives, for both our health and our happiness.   In this week’s conversation, we explore: How every addiction is, at its core, an attempt to change how we feel emotionally and why understanding this is the first step to breaking free Why activities like gaming or social media scrolling can make it harder to enjoy the simple pleasures in life How novice meditators in Dr Joe's Week Long Advanced Retreats demonstrate measurable biological changes after just seven days  How to heal and move on from the past by releasing emotional baggage, rather than simply re-living painful memories The critical importance of how you start each day and the precise structure of Dr Joe's own morning routine – including how he prepares his mind before meditation Why even small moments of presence can have a powerful effect on our lives   Throughout this conversation, Dr Joe emphasises that change requires becoming conscious of our unconscious patterns. Breaking free requires noticing these patterns and making different choices, even when those choices are uncomfortable.   So, whether you're struggling with addiction, processing past trauma, or simply want to create a more fulfilling life, this episode is full of profound, thought provoking wisdom that will leave you feeling re-assured, motivated and inspired.   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://vivobarefoot.com/livemore https://thriva.co https://airbnb.co.uk/host   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/549   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 today’s fast-paced world, the pursuit of productivity often leads to overwhelm. In fact, one report suggests that 88% of UK workers have experienced some degree of burnout over the past two years. 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 466 of the podcast with Professor of computer science and best-selling author Cal Newport. In this clip Cal shares some actionable advice that can help you reclaim your time, reduce stress, and find a more balanced approach to work and life. Thanks to our sponsor https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore 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/466 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.

Your breath is intimately linked with every aspect of your health – from how you respond to stress to how efficiently your body burns fat. While most of us breathe over 20,000 times a day, few of us pay attention to this automatic process. But it may hold the key to transforming our physical and mental wellbeing. Today’s returning guest is the wonderful Brian Mackenzie, Founder & Creative Director of SHIFT, President of The Health and Human Performance Foundation and a world renowned human performance specialist who combines breathing techniques, movement practices, and stress adaptation training to enhance physical and mental performance.    His methods have been used by Olympic athletes, professional sports teams and military special forces and Brian's work has undergone rigorous scientific testing at institutions including Stanford University School of Medicine and San Francisco State University. He is also the author of several books including, Unbreakable Runner, Power Speed Endurance and Unplugged. In this fascinating conversation, we explore: Why breathing is "the remote control to the nervous system" and how becoming aware of our breath patterns can help us instantly regulate our stress responses  The relationship between the way that we breathe and our ability to burn fat The "Five Gear Breathing System" that matches our breathing technique to different activity levels, from relaxed walking to high-intensity exercise Why nasal breathing (while beneficial at rest and low intensities) might limit our performance and oxygen use during higher-intensity activities How a simple daily 45-minute walk with nasal breathing can transform our metabolism, stress resilience and mental clarity The three-stage stress response cycle and how breathwork provides a practical tool to interrupt our automatic reactions to daily triggers Why Brian believes finding joy in mundane tasks like washing dishes is possible when we focus on the process rather than constantly chasing outcomes Practical techniques to establish healthier boundaries with work, technology and stress – including Brian's approach to shutting off work by 4-5 pm and using red light in the evenings to improve sleep Brian is a remarkable individual, with an enviable track record of transforming the wellbeing and performance of a wide range of individuals, and this conversation is full of practical insights that you can utilise immediately to improve your health, performance and the overall quality of your life. 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.boncharge.com/livemore https://airbnb.co.uk/host https://drinkag1.com/livemore   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/547   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.

Today’s guest asks an important question: What if finding joy lies in life’s simple moments?  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 476 of the podcast with Buddhist monk and author Haemin Sunim. In our rush to achieve and reach our goals, we can often miss the beauty and richness of our current experiences. In this clip we discuss the importance of slowing down and being present, and, with that in mind, Haemin shares some practical tips for mindfulness that can help us reconnect with ourselves and the world around us. Thanks to our sponsor https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore 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/476 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.

Is your ‘healthy’ breakfast actually dessert in disguise? Why is it that so many of us are struggling these days with our metabolic health? What is the relationship between our food and mood? And, what is the real deal with detox?   My guest today is someone, who for many years, has been leading a global health revolution, one revolved around using food as medicine, to support longevity, energy, mood and happiness.   Dr Mark Hyman has been a practising medical doctor for several decades and an internationally recognised leader, speaker and educator in the field of Functional Medicine. He is co-founder and the chief medical officer of Function Health, founder of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine and the author of an incredible fifteen New York Times best-selling books.   This is Mark’s 4th appearance on my podcast and in today’s conversation we cover a variety of fascinating topics, including: The science of metabolic health How to break your reliance on sugar The connection between food and mood The multiple benefits of starting your day with protein The 10-Day food plan that can transform your energy, mood and digestion The problem that many people face with modern wheat and dairy The truth about food addiction The simple but effective method that can enhance the way you eliminate environmental toxins. Throughout our conversation, Mark's passion for empowering people to take charge of their health shines through. His accessible, evidence-based approach offers practical steps anyone can take. As he reminds us, small daily improvements in diet, movement and stress management compound over time – and it's never 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://drinkag1.com/livemore https://calm.com/livemore https://thriva.co   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/545   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.

CAUTION: This podcast discusses fasting, and its advice may not be suitable for anyone with an eating disorder. If you have an existing health condition or are taking medication, always consult your healthcare practitioner before going for prolonged periods without eating. “If you change the way you eat, you may feel completely different” - Dr Mindy Pelz 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 474 of the podcast with nutrition expert and best-selling author of ‘Fast Like a Girl’ and ‘Eat Like a Girl: 100+ Delicious Recipes to Balance Hormones, Boost Energy, and Burn Fat.’, Dr Mindy Pelz.  In this clip, Mindy shares how food can be a powerful tool to support your health and wellbeing, and we explore her ‘foundational five’ health principles, which include actionable strategies that anyone can implement. Thanks to our sponsor https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore 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/474 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.

Have you ever wondered why the same traumatic experience affects different people in completely different ways? Or why finding pleasure in life is so fundamental to our mental wellbeing? To answer these questions and a whole host more, I'm joined this week by Dr Camilla Nord. Camilla leads the Mental Health Neuroscience Lab at the University of Cambridge and is author of the best-selling book, The Balanced Brain: The Science of Mental Health. In this fascinating conversation, we explore: How everything that impacts our mental health ultimately works through the brain, and why we often artificially separate 'mind' from 'brain' and 'mental' from 'physical' health Why pleasure is so fundamental to mental wellbeing that a loss of it is a core symptom of depression, and how activities like social laughter can boost mood by releasing natural opioids The fascinating overlap between chronic pain and depression circuits in the brain – revealing why experiencing one increases your risk of developing the other How motivation varies throughout the day based on our individual body clocks, and why morning people and night owls have different energy patterns Interoception – our internal body awareness – and how practices like meditation, yoga and body scanning can enhance this crucial sense Why the placebo effect is so powerful and how a doctor's communication style can significantly impact treatment outcomes Throughout the conversation, Camilla emphasises that there is no one size fits all approach and that it’s the small, consistent actions that ultimately end up transforming 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.   Thanks to our sponsors: https://drinkag1.com/livemore https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/543   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.

Today I’m thrilled to welcome my dear friend, Helen Hall back to the podcast. Helen is a movement therapist, a running coach, a pain expert and one of the best coaches in any modality that I have ever come across. She has had a lifelong passion for analysing posture and movement, and her clients include elite athletes, whether they be runners, cyclists or premier league footballers, but also everyday folk who simply want to walk or run pain-free.   She combines objective clarity from the most advanced motion analysis technology in the world, with 46 years of visual experience and study in the field, to seek out the root causes of chronic pain and injury, that often seem resistant to standard treatment protocols.    In order to help more people than those able to visit her in person, Helen first shared her movement philosophy in her wonderful book ‘Even With Your Shoes On’. Since then, Helen has created a series of online courses for professionals as well as members of the public who want to move better without pain. Her flagship online course is ‘A Troubleshooting Checklist for Walkers and Runners’ and she has a brand new course ‘Stress Incontinence: An Alternative Approach’. Helen is offering 40% off for Feel Better, Live More listeners until the end of April 2025 – go to https://www.helen-hall.co.uk and use the code FBLM40.   Helen first came on my podcast on Episode 216 back in November 2021 and many of you got in touch to say how helpful the tools shared in that episode were.    In this conversation, we continue where we left off: We talk again about the vital importance of our head position – and how to become aware of how you’re holding your own head, if you’re struggling to know. We bust the myth that running is bad for your knees. We discuss walk-run strategies and how they can help all of us reduce injury, recover more quickly and run faster. We discuss why ‘foot wiping’ - a very simple practice that I do on most days - could help you move with more ease. We talk about the importance of spending time barefoot. We discuss minimalist shoes and why we are both big fans.   Since I began working with Helen she’s become a cherished friend, whose wisdom and insights cover much more than walking and running. Her message for this brilliant episode is straightforward and optimistic: think about your head, think about your feet – and don’t assume that you can no longer move without pain. She is an inspiring lady, this is an inspiring conversation, 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://drinkag1.com/livemore https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/542   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.