BITESIZE | A Monk’s Guide To Finding Happiness & Thriving in Hard Times | Gelong Thubten #678

What if the most courageous, compassionate thing you could do in life, was to learn how to be with yourself? It’s a powerful, perhaps surprising idea put forward by today’s guest. Today’s Bitesize is from episode 387 of the podcast with Gelong Thubten - Buddhist monk, meditation teacher and author of the fantastic book 'A Handbook for Hard Times: A Monk’s Guide to Fearless Living’. Thubten became a monk back in 1993 after suffering from severe physical and mental burnout whilst following his dream of becoming an actor in New York City. We begin by talking about distraction and addiction, two states that are very closely linked. He explains that when we distract ourselves by scrolling, overeating, or drinking for example, we’re pushing away emotional pain or discomfort - even if we may not realise it. But the discomfort is really in the pushing. If we can learn instead to sit with what’s making us uncomfortable, those emotions start to transform. Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠https://thewayapp.com/livemore  Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/387 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could the food you ate yesterday already be reshaping your gut, your immune system and your risk of chronic disease? This week’s guest says yes, and he’s spent his career demonstrating why that matters so much. Dr Will Bulsiewicz is an award-winning gastroenterologist and the author of the new book, Plant Powered Plus. And few people can explain the science of gut health as clearly, or as compassionately, as Will does in this conversation. If you think you already know everything there is to know about digestion, fibre and plant foods, this episode will change your mind – and deliver a great deal more. Will has identified four nutrition ‘workhorses’ that feed and protect our guts and, unsurprisingly, fibre is one of them. We get into the specifics of how the fibre we eat turns into short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, which Will describes as the most anti-inflammatory substance he has ever come across. He makes the case for fibre as the true longevity nutrient. We talk about resistant starch, found in cooled potatoes and green bananas, and why it feeds a completely different part of your gut microbiome to other fibres. Will shares the research behind the ‘30 plants a week’ target, and why he thinks the exact figure matters far less than most people assume. And he covers the importance of polyphenols, healthy fats and fermented foods. There’s a fascinating section on the different ways our gut microbiomes are shaped by our closest relationships, including some research findings even Will found surprising. We bust some myths around the term ‘leaky gut’. And we discuss why he no longer sees Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis as straightforward autoimmune conditions, but more like the immune system turning against the microbiome. Will is refreshingly honest about the limits of diet alone. He talks candidly about the patients he could not help through nutrition or medication, and about a period in his own life when food became a coping mechanism for something he wasn’t able to face. It is a reminder that lasting health often asks more of us than simply eating better. Whether you’re new to the topic of gut health or well acquainted, this episode brings a new perspective. It’s packed with valuable and actionable moments – and it’s one you’ll come back to again and again. The Thrive Tour: Transform Your Health and Happiness, a live show: Book Your Tickets https://drchatterjee.com/live   Thanks to our sponsors: https://heights.com/livemore https://hellolingo.com/livemore https://thewayapp.com/livemore https://drinkag1.com/livemore   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/677   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

When we think about improving our health, we often think about changing our diet, increasing how much we move, improving the quality of our sleep and lowering stress, but how many of us think about ‘working’ on our vision? Every day, many of us experience symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, headaches or poor concentration – and never realise that our eyes might be playing a central role. In today’s Bitesize, pioneering neuro-optometrist Dr Bryce Appelbaum explains why our visual system is about far more than simply how well we can see. Many of us don’t realise just how much our vision influences how we think, feel and perform. We explore the surprising connection between vision and stress, and Bryce shares some simple, practical exercises we can all use today to better support our visual system and our wider health. Show notes and the full podcast are available at ⁠https://drchatterjee.com/576⁠ Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://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.⁠ 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why does struggling for something make it more satisfying? And why can getting what you want leave you feeling flat? In this episode, I sit down with Arthur Brooks, one of the world's leading voices on the science of happiness, for a conversation that might change how you feel about your life. Arthur is a professor at Vanderbilt University, senior fellow of Harvard Business School and bestselling author of multiple books, including new title, The Meaning Of Your Life. He walked away from a successful career when he realised that despite a happy marriage, strong faith and good income, he struggled to feel happy. That personal reckoning led him to years of research into what really makes people thrive – and in this conversation, he shares the framework he developed to explain it. Using an analogy from nutrition science, Arthur describes happiness as requiring three macronutrients: enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning. We talk about why so many high achievers get the first one wrong. Suffering and struggle, he says, aren’t obstacles to a fulfilling life but essential ingredients of it – hence removing all friction from our lives can leave us feeling empty rather than content. We also get into goals, and why reaching them tends not to deliver the lasting happiness we expect. Arthur calls this the arrival fallacy, and understanding might change how you approach your next big challenge. On relationships, Arthur shares research showing that the healthiest marriages are not the ones with the least conflict, but the ones with the most honesty. We talk frankly about what that has looked like in our own marriages, what we can all learn from our parents when it comes to happiness, and the best (and easiest) way to send a positive message to our children. Arthur also shares what he’s learned about presence, faith and love from his relationship and his daily practices. We explore the difference between solitude and loneliness and how levels of social connection can be individual. And I hope you’ll pay attention to the section on why leisure needs to be treated as seriously as work. This is a warm, honest and personal conversation with someone who’s spent decades studying happiness – but who’s candid about how hard he’s worked to feel it himself. By reframing happiness as a direction not a destination, I think it could be a life-changing listen for you.   The Thrive Tour: Transform Your Health and Happiness, a live show: Book Your Tickets https://drchatterjee.com/live   Thanks to our sponsors: https://exhalecoffee.com/livemore https://boncharge.com/livemore https://drinkag1.com/livemore   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/675   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

Most of us assume that memory loss and cognitive decline are just part of getting older. In this episode, a world-leading neurologist says that’s simply not true. That, far from being inevitable, Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases result from decades of metabolic damage – which we have the power to prevent and even reverse. I’m speaking with Dr David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist, six-time New York Times bestselling author, and one of the world's leading experts on brain health. And in this fascinating conversation, we discuss the single biological mechanism that sits at the heart of virtually every neurodegenerative condition, from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's to long Covid and depression, and why understanding it changes everything about how you approach your lifestyle. David’s key insight is that our brain's own immune cells, called microglial cells, have the power to make or break our future brain health. Keep them in their protective state through diet, exercise, and metabolic testing, and we can safeguard our brain for life. Feed them with ultra-processed food and they will shift into a destructive state that drives neuroinflammation. We discuss how, exactly, ultra-processed food damages the brain, why metabolic health is the key to cognitive longevity, and why the diagnosis of Alzheimer's is really the end stage of a process that began decades earlier. The choices you make right now, in your 30s, 40s and 50s, are already shaping the brain you will have in your 70s and beyond. If this all sounds science-heavy, rest assured David approaches it, just as he does in his new book, Brain Defenders, with clarity and plenty of practical takeaway. He outlines the specific blood biomarkers he believes everyone should be tracking, including fasting insulin, homocysteine and uric acid, for a remarkable window into your long-term brain health. We discuss why knowing your numbers is one of the most empowering steps you can take, how to go about getting tested, and how to act on what you find. There is a great deal of fear around dementia, and understandably so. But what I hope you take from this episode is something David emphasises: we needn’t be scared because we have agency. The research is clear that lifestyle choices have a profound impact on your risk, and it is never too early, or too late, to start making them. This is one of the most distinct and important conversations I’ve had about the future of your brain, and I think you will find it incredibly useful, thought-provoking and, above all, hopeful. The Thrive Tour: Transform Your Health and Happiness, a live show: Book Your Tickets https://drchatterjee.com/live   Thanks to our sponsors: https://heights.com/livemore https://thesleepreset.com/podcast https://boncharge.com/livemore https://exhalecoffee.com/livemore   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/674   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

As we get older, have you ever wondered why the exercise advice we’ve been given doesn’t seem to work as well as it once did? As we move into our 40s and beyond, our physiology changes in ways that can often feel confusing and frustrating. But what if we could harness those changes to feel stronger, healthier and more resilient than ever before? 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 578 of the podcast with exercise physiologist and nutritional scientist, Dr Stacy Sims. Stacy is dedicated to helping active women – and the people who support them – take back control of their bodies, health and lives through science-based knowledge and practical tools. In this clip, Stacy shares why conventional fitness advice often fails women in midlife, and what many of us may be missing when it comes to improving our health, vitality and resilience as we age. Stacy’s insights remind us that with the right information and support, we can build strength, confidence and better health at any stage of life. Thanks to our sponsor https://heights.com/livemore Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/578 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Sleep is a lot like love: the less you look for it, the more it shows up.” So says my guest on this episode, one of the world's leading sleep doctors, who’s here to reveal the five common traps that are stopping us getting the rest we need. Dr Michael Breus is a clinical psychologist and sleep specialist based in California. He’s the author of several books, including the brilliantly helpful, Sleep, Drink, Breathe. Over the course of his 25-year career, he’s helped thousands of people transform their health by changing the way they sleep. You’ll love his bold, no-nonsense manner and warm, practical advice. In this conversation, we unpack the sleep myths that are keeping us stuck. We talk about why chasing eight hours could be working against you, why sleeping in at the weekend may be doing more harm than good, and why freaking out about your sleep is making it worse. We also explore what is really happening in your body to cause that 3am wake-up, and the practical techniques that can help you get back to sleep quickly and calmly. Michael shares his own diagnosis of sleep apnoea, which will surprise you given his background, and opens up a conversation I think many of you will find both reassuring and galvanising. He dispels common myths around testing and treatment, and makes a clear case for investigating your symptoms – it could change your life. We also cover sleep tracking and how to interpret what your wearables say without driving yourself to distraction. Michael gives his view on the supplements worth considering and those that are not. We talk about the specific challenges facing women going through perimenopause and menopause, and he gives practical advice for shift workers, parents, and carers who feel they can’t get the hours they need. We close by talking through his five-step plan, which is simple, evidence-based, and immediately actionable. It will help you sleep better from tonight. Wherever you are in your journey towards restful, restorative sleep, you will hear something new in this insightful and surprising conversation. By going back to basics, Michael offers some truly fresh perspectives on this most fundamental pillar of your health. The Thrive Tour: Transform Your Health and Happiness, a live show: Book Your Tickets https://drchatterjee.com/live   Thanks to our sponsors: https://hellolingo.com/livemore https://dohealth.co/livemore https://thewayapp.com/livemore https://drinkag1.com/livemore   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/672   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

Today’s guest belongs to the 35th generation of Shaolin Masters and began practising Kung Fu at the age of four. In the 38 years since, he’s acquired a wealth of knowledge in Chinese martial arts and Zen Buddhism. 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 426 of the podcast with Master Shi Heng Yi.  In this clip, he shares a beautiful concept - and caution - that our thoughts may shape our destiny, and explains why cultivating greater awareness of our inner world could transform the way we experience our lives. Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠https://thewayapp.com/livemore  Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/426 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re living in a world that has become extraordinarily skilled at measuring success. But most of us never stop to question which standards really matter to us. Are you chasing success by someone else's definition, without even knowing it? This episode will help you figure that out. My guest is C Thi Nguyen, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Utah and the author of The Score: How to Stop Playing Someone Else's Game, one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve read. This conversation explores where our values really come from, what games and hobbies can teach us about living with freedom, and why so much of what matters most in life resists being measured at all. Thi has developed a fascinating framework for understanding one of the defining problems of modern life: what he calls ‘value capture’. It’s the process by which our own rich, personal values are replaced by simplified external metrics (think followers and likes, salaries, exam grades – even health metrics like your weight or blood pressure score). These metrics can never show the full picture of a human life – but they can end up running it. And once you understand this concept of value capture, you’ll start to notice it everywhere. Thi and I discuss why our culture is so poor at honouring the ‘unmeasurables’. We talk about why joy, love, forgiveness and the quality of our relationships are the substance of a life well lived. Yet they’re systematically undervalued, not because they’re unimportant, but because they’re hard to count. He’s somewhat of an expert on play, whether through sport, board games or hobbies, and we discuss what these activities, often dismissed as trivial, can teach us about meaning and how to live well. Plus, we debate the difference between principles and algorithmic rules – a distinction that might change how you approach your health and your life more broadly. What I love about Thi's thinking is that he’s not telling us to throw out all forms of measurement. He’s more nuanced than that. He is asking us to wake up to the difference between the scorecard we have inherited from the world around us, and the one we would choose for ourselves. He wants us to know that the first step towards genuine fulfilment is simply becoming aware of whose game you have been playing. The Thrive Tour: Transform Your Health and Happiness, a live show: Book Your Tickets https://drchatterjee.com/live   Thanks to our sponsors: https://thewayapp.com/livemore https://hellolingo.com/livemore https://exhalecoffee.com/livemore https://drinkag1.com/livemore   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/670   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

Today’s guest believes brain decline is not inevitable, we all have agency in how we age, and the secret lies in our food.

 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 330 of the podcast with science journalist and New York Times bestselling author, Max Lugavere. Max is passionate about helping people improve their brain health, their longevity and how they feel by optimising their diet. In this clip, he shares three food types that he believes are worth reducing or removing from our diets, and explains why doing so could have many benefits for our health. Max’s message is one of balance and realism. We can all make choices every single day that set us on the path to better health, even if we’re only taking baby steps. Making small changes could have a meaningful impact on our health. Thanks to our sponsor https://heights.com/livemore Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/330 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices