Elissa Epel

In this conversation with Dr. Elissa Epel, a professor and stress expert, listeners learn how stress influences eating behaviors, mental health, and aging. She shares effective interventions like mindfulness, breathwork, and environmental changes to combat stress and improve metabolism. Epel highlights how reframing stress can transform it from a threat into a challenge, ultimately enhancing resilience. Her insights into the links between stress, appetite, and obesity provide actionable strategies for healthier living.

Hollywood actor Steve Guttenberg shares his poignant experience of caring for his dying father, shedding light on the emotional toll on caregivers. Dr. Elissa Epel discusses how different caregivers cope with chronic stress, revealing insights into health implications. Psychologist David Yeager explores how shifting perceptions of stress can lead to personal growth, emphasizing the benefits of viewing stress as an energizing force. Together, they highlight practical strategies to alleviate stress and enhance well-being.

Dr. Elissa Epel, a health psychologist and UCSF professor, discusses the pervasive nature of chronic stress and its impact on aging. She highlights how stress management techniques, including mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation, can enhance well-being. Epel explores the importance of understanding heart rate variability as a measure of stress and offers transformative practices to reset the nervous system. Learn how aligning daily activities with personal values and embracing gratitude can lead to a healthier, more joyful life.

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, a functional medicine expert, and Dr. Elissa Epel, a stress and health specialist, dive into the silent killer that is chronic stress. They explore how diet affects stress and cortisol levels and discuss the cyclical relationship between nutrition and mental health. Listeners learn practical strategies like identifying stress triggers and engaging in fulfilling activities. The conversation emphasizes mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and unconventional approaches to stress management, offering valuable insights for reclaiming control over health.

This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker and Birch mattress by Helix.Today on The Dhru Purohit Podcast, Dhru sits down with Dr. Elissa Epel to discuss how we can break free from the bonds of chronic stress. They share practical strategies for coping with stress when things go wrong, the importance of social support, spending time in nature, and cultivating true, restorative practices. Dr. Epel is an internationally renowned health psychologist who focuses on how to live well and thrive with existential stress, despite the challenges we face personally and globally. She is a professor at UCSF and the director of UCSF’s Aging, Metabolism, and Emotion Center. She is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The Telomere Effect, which has been translated into 30 languages.In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Epel dive into:- What happens when chronic stress is pervasive in our lives (0:07)- Why having the goal of an anxiety-free life is not practical (6:32)- Reframing your mindset when things go wrong in life (19:10)- The mental blocks that get in the way of understanding that things are going to go wrong (22:02)- Identifying and becoming aware of your personal cues for stress (26:42)- Practical ways to step into creating purpose for yourself (32:40)- The top practices that can help you reset when you’re feeling stressed(39:08)- Using walks in nature to connect and check in with ourselves (54:15)- The difference between “relaxing” and “restorative” (1:00:30)- Why the media can be an unforeseen source of stress in our lives (1:05:29)Also mentioned in this episode:-New York Times article, How Loneliness Is Damaging Our Health-The Roseto effect: a 50-year comparison of mortality rates-Dr. Epel’s new book, The Stress PrescriptionFor more on Dr. Elissa Epel, follow her on Instagram @elissa.epel, Facebook @TelomereEffect, and Twitter @Dr_Epel. Get her new book, The Stress Prescription, here. InsideTracker provides detailed nutrition and lifestyle guidance based on your individual needs. Right now, they’re offering my podcast community 20% off. Just go to https://www.insidetracker.com/DHRU to get your discount and try it out for yourself.Birch mattress by Helix is made out of organic latex, organic cotton, New Zealand wool, and American steel springs. To get $200 off your Birch Living mattress plus two free eco-rest pillows, head over to https://www.birchliving.com/dhru today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative health psychologist and stress researcher Elissa Epel. Elissa studies how mindfulness, meditation retreats, and breathing techniques can help buffer stress processes, biological aging, and promote both physical and mental health. This conversation covers many topics, including: her early roots of interest in the mind-body connection; bringing contemplation into health and stress psychology research; two key aspects of stress; learning to deal with uncertainty; uncertainty in the body; acute vs. chronic stress response; why we might want to intentionally induce acute stress to boost our health; cell aging systems (telomeres); contemplative practices as a way to reduce stress; how our minds influence our cells; the concept of cellular safety; rest, retreat, and vacation; how contemplative benefits can transfer to the next generation; what it means to have a sensitive nervous system; and the importance of focusing on joy and gratitude. Full show notes and resources

In this discussion, functional medicine expert Dr. Cindy Geyer and stress researcher Dr. Elissa Epel explore the intricate connection between diet, sleep, and stress. They reveal how nutrient-dense foods can combat chronic health issues like obesity and anxiety. Listeners gain insights into the Pegan diet, the importance of organic nutrition, and effective strategies for better sleep. They also delve into the impact of early trauma on stress responses and practical methods for enhancing overall well-being, making food a powerful ally in health.

Dr. Cindy Geyer, a functional medicine expert, and Dr. Elissa Epel, a leading researcher on stress, dive deep into the Pegan diet and its impact on sleep and stress relief. They discuss how food influences health, tackling issues like obesity and diabetes by focusing on nutrient-dense options. The conversation reveals the intricate link between chronic stress and poor sleep, alongside practical tips for enhancing sleep quality. They also highlight lifestyle changes that promote a healthier, more balanced life, emphasizing the power of mindful eating.

Elissa Epel, Ph.D., a renowned expert on stress and well-being from UC San Francisco, shares her insights on managing stress for a more joyful life. She emphasizes the importance of having a purpose and integrating 'Nothingness' into our schedules. Elissa explains how to transform toxic stress into a positive force and reveals her seven-day plan for greater emotional ease. She advocates for mindfulness and social connections as essential tools for resilience, helping listeners reframe stress into opportunities for growth and connection.

Elissa Epel, an expert in stress and aging from UCSF, discusses how stress accelerates the aging process by shortening telomeres, the protective caps on our DNA. She highlights the significant impact of lifestyle choices and nutrition on telomere health, advocating for a whole food diet to combat inflammation. Epel also explores the relationship between depression and cellular aging, providing strategies for reframing stress as a challenge. Mindfulness and social support are emphasized as vital tools for managing stress and promoting well-being.