Stress and the Mind-Body Connection | Kelly McGonigal, PhD

Jun 20, 2023

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We live in a culture that vilifies stress. Stress, we are told, is unhealthy both physiologically and emotionally, and something to be avoided at all costs. But Stanford University health psychologist Kelly McGonigal, PhD believes that by suppressing or ignoring it, we're missing out on the benefits of effective stress management. Kelly is also a bestselling author whose work focuses on the mind-body connection and the psychology of compassion and mindfulness. In this episode, Kelly shares the personal experiences that led her to this work, the myths and misconceptions surrounding stress, the role of physical movement in promoting our wellbeing, and how even busy physicians can find space for self-compassion.

In this episode, you will hear about:

The early life experiences that led Kelly into a career in psychology - 1:55
What health psychology is - 3:50
How physical health impacts mental and emotional wellbeing - 6:13
Why many physicians find it difficult to maintain physical health - 11:58
The behaviors that can make a big difference in one’s physical and mental wellbeing - 15:06
How Kelly helps physicians provide care to their patients while holding space for the exhaustion and frustration that can come with this work - 25:50
Common misconceptions about stress - 38:39
The importance of self-compassion for those working in high-stakes fields like medicine - 43:00
Advice to clinicians on better supporting patients going through stressful times - 55:48

Dr. McGonigal is the author of several books, including The Willpower Instinct (2012), The Upside of Stress (2015), and The Joy of Movement (2019).

Watch Dr. McGonigal’s popular TED talk on stress management.

You can follow Dr. McGonigal on Twitter @KellyMcGonigal.

Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.

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