Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

The Truth About Stress, Belly Fat, Alcohol and Journalling & How To Tune Into Your Body & Mind with Neuroscientist Tara Swart (re-release) #516

Jan 26, 2025

In this insightful discussion, neuroscientist Tara Swart, a former medical doctor and MIT lecturer, dives deep into the ripple effects of stress on health and how it can lead to weight gain. She shares powerful strategies for managing stress, boosts resilience through journaling, and emphasizes the importance of creativity, nature, and understanding personal values. Tara also explores the role of intuition, spirituality, and even topics like consciousness and mortality, providing a thought-provoking perspective on well-being.

02:11:10

Creator website

Episode guests

Tara Swart

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Stress significantly impacts health, leading to fat storage, inflammation, and digestive issues due to elevated cortisol levels.

Building resilience is essential, with practices like journaling and nature connection serving as effective coping mechanisms against stress.

Men and women process stress differently, with societal norms influencing emotional expression and support-seeking behaviors for effective stress management.

Engaging in creative activities and spending time in nature can significantly enhance mental health by reducing stress and improving emotional satisfaction.

Deep dives

The Impact of Stress on Health

Stress significantly affects both physical and mental health, influencing various bodily systems and functions. Excess stress can lead to increased cortisol levels which may result in inflammation, weight gain, and digestive problems. This hormonal response promotes fat storage, especially in the abdominal area, making it harder for individuals to manage their weight despite changes in diet and exercise. Stress-related issues often manifest in numerous ways, indicating that stress management should be a priority for maintaining overall health.

Intro

2min

Understanding Stress and Its Health Impacts

14min

The Effects of Stress on Decision-Making

8min

The Transformative Power of Journaling for Self-Reflection

3min

Understanding Spirituality: Beyond the Physical and Emotional

4min

Navigating Stress and Personal Values

8min

The Power of Trust and Intuition

21min

Empowering Self-Discovery Through Intuition and Awareness

4min

Cultivating Inner Awareness

20min

10.

Caffeine, Nature, and Well-Being

12min

11.

Beyond Death: Exploring Consciousness and Connection

22min

12.

Exploring Mortality and Personal Growth

11min

13.

Embracing Health: Weekly Insights and Exclusive Offers

2min

For today’s episode, I’m pleased to welcome back the wonderful Dr Tara Swart. Tara is a neuroscientist, a former medical doctor & psychiatrist, a lecturer at MIT, an executive coach and author of the bestselling book, The Source. She also hosts the podcast Reinvent Yourself with Dr Tara.

If you’ve listened to my previous episodes with Tara, you’ll remember her unique talent for using neuroscience and behavioural psychology to probe ideas, theories, and practices that many believe work, but we’re not sure why.

This insightful and often unusual episode takes a deep and meaningful look at stress - what exactly it is, what impact it has on health and how it predisposes us to storing fat. We also discuss the most effective ways to manage stress, the best ways to build resilience and the benefits of practices like journalling.

We really do cover a whole variety of different topics today including metacognition, the definition of spirituality, what exactly intuition and interoception are, and how we can use them to get to know our minds and bodies more intimately. We talk about rituals, the incredible power of creativity, beauty, and time spent in nature. And finally, we ask some big questions around the topic of death and consciousness, which Tara is increasingly drawn to studying.

If you’re someone who’s interested in alternative thinking and new ideas, but likes the reassurance of scientific backing, Tara’s warmth and wisdom will tick all your boxes. If you’re a sceptic - well, this conversation might just open your mind.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. This January, try FREE for 30 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

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/516

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.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more