8 Realistic Healthy Habits That Make a Huge Difference
Aug 17, 2024
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In this lively conversation, Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, a Harvard lecturer and expert in stress and public health, shares eight easy, science-backed habits to boost health and happiness. She reveals grocery shopping tricks and stresses the power of a 'fake commute' to enhance well-being. Listeners learn about the importance of gut health, improved sleep, and the psychological benefits of movement. Dr. Nerurkar also discusses managing 'Zoom fatigue' and the role of mindfulness in daily activities for a calmer, more fulfilling life.
Grocery shopping along the store's perimeter encourages a diet rich in fresh produce, promoting better overall health and well-being.
Prioritizing lifestyle changes like better sleep and regular movement is more effective for stress management than relying on supplements alone.
Incorporating a 'fake commute' can create mental boundaries that enhance productivity and reduce stress during hybrid work schedules.
Deep dives
Transform Your Grocery Shopping Habits
To improve grocery shopping, it's effective to navigate the perimeter of the store. This approach emphasizes the importance of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and lean proteins, promoting a plant-based diet akin to the Mediterranean lifestyle. The Mediterranean diet focuses on minimally processed foods while allowing for some indulgences, suggesting a balanced approach to eating. By incrementally incorporating healthier options, such as adding a few servings of fermented foods or more vegetables into meals, one can significantly enhance overall health and well-being.
Rethinking Supplements for Stress Management
When faced with stress and burnout, it's crucial to focus on foundational lifestyle changes rather than relying solely on supplements. Prioritizing adequate sleep, reducing caffeine intake, and incorporating regular movement are more effective methods of managing stress. Many individuals mistakenly seek quick fixes through supplementation without addressing the underlying habits that contribute to their wellness. The key is to empower oneself to make small, manageable lifestyle shifts that collectively improve mental health and resilience.
The Dangers of Prolonged Sitting
Research suggests that excessive sitting can be detrimental to health, linking it to increased risks of diabetes, heart disease, and overall mortality. Sitting for extended periods can also exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress, as it limits the body's natural need for movement. To counter these effects, it's important to incorporate regular breaks throughout the day, using short moments for stretching, walking, or simply standing to boost circulation and mental clarity. Small changes, such as standing during meetings or taking brief walks, can create significant improvements to both physical and mental health.
Embracing the Concept of a Fake Commute
With the rise of hybrid work, the concept of a 'fake commute' can serve as a vital transitional period between home and work modes. This practice can help individuals establish mental boundaries, allowing for a smoother mental shift into work mode. It can involve simple activities like walking, grabbing a coffee, or organizing thoughts before starting the workday. By implementing this routine, one can enhance productivity and decrease stress levels, integrating a vital buffer into daily life.
The Importance of Monotasking Over Multitasking
Research indicates that multitasking can lead to decreased productivity and cognitive impairment, as our brains are wired to focus on one task at a time. Instead of juggling multiple responsibilities, adopting monotasking through techniques like time blocking can enhance performance. Allocating specific time frames for tasks allows for deeper concentration and better retention of information. Incorporating intentional breaks during these focused periods further supports mental stamina and reduces cumulative stress.
Today, you are getting the 8 science-backed hacks to lower your stress, amplify your happiness, and make you healthier.
Harvard’s Dr. Aditi Nerurkar is here to show you exactly how you can get back on track.
If you’ve ever wanted to know exactly how a Harvard doctor grocery shops, meditates, exercises, eats, and even commutes, you’re getting all of that and more today.
You’ll love this research-packed episode because every habit that Dr. Aditi shares is simple, easy to apply, and makes you feel better right away.
Dr. Aditi Nerurkar is a medical doctor, researcher, and world-renowned expert in stress and public health.
She's a lecturer at Harvard Medical School and was the medical director of Harvard's Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital's integrative medicine program, where she developed an enormous clinical practice in stress management using evidence-based integrative approaches to help her patients feel better.
Today, she is going to give you evidence-based integrative approaches that are easy, simple, and proven to make you feel better, calmer, and healthier.
For more resources, including links to Dr. Aditi Nerurkar’s research, website, and social media, click here for the podcast episode page.