#1 Neuroscientist: Truth About Stress, Belly Fat, Coffee, Alcohol, Diet & Journaling -Dr. Tara Swart

For today’s brand new 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 two 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.

#feelbetterlivemore
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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. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

[Kmee]

Dr Tara has the most beautiful energy and her voice is hypnotic. I could listen to this all day.

[AcceptandAct]

Great video. After about 15+ years of it and everything that comes with it; the endless drama, problems, chaos, health issues... I went cold turkey almost 7 years ago one day. Let me tell you. One the BEST things I've ever done for myself in my life. Everything improved. My health, my career, my relationships, my finances, my friends... Once you stop, take a step back and realize how much time, energy and money it was sucking out of you, you never wanna go back ever again. It is hard, at least at the beginning. Because, all the difficult emotions that you were pushing away with alcohol slowly start to come back, AND you lose all your dead-end, so-called "friends" aka glorified drinking buddies who never really cared about you. So it's emotional and lonely at first, but that's the price we pay for our health. And this means that you get a brand new chance to re-create your life and your own conscious community. You can do it!

[JN]

.... i feel less stressed just listening to them talking about stress in a calm & reflective way.

[jerigallacher]

Her listening skills are incredible. I learned a lot watching her. She’s very interested in what you say and she responds with quiet sounds which show she’s responding to every word you say. Amazing woman.

[quickcinemarecap]

00:04 Stress is when the load on your body or mind is too much for you to bear.
02:21 Chronic stress leads to inflammation and fat storage
06:52 Chronic stress can lead to significant physical health issues.
09:20 Men and women handle stress differently
13:48 Stress impacts decision-making power by redirecting blood supply in the brain.
16:02 Chronic stress can lead to a different personality.
20:01 Sleep deprivation can significantly impact stress levels and productivity.
21:47 Journaling is a powerful tool for improving physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
25:51 Spirituality is a sense of how you are in your spirit or soul and upholding your values.
28:04 Living a life in accordance with values can prevent burnout.
32:17 Generosity as a core value in day-to-day life
34:13 Value of generosity and trust in relationships
38:29 Trusting decisions under stress is difficult
40:34 Recognizing signs of stress and relaxation
44:34 Intuition is wisdom from life lessons
46:44 Intuition is a knowingness based on past experiences.
50:49 Journaling is a great way to hone your intuition
52:43 Experiment with intuition and gain confidence through trial and error
56:50 Intuition and self-awareness play a key role in understanding our body's signals.
58:47 Daily solitude practice helps in developing self-awareness.
1:02:53 Connection between brain and gut
1:04:47 Journaling engages the prefrontal cortex for self-learning.
1:08:53 Bringing mindfulness into daily rituals
1:10:49 Mindful cooking reduces stress and affects others around you
1:14:53 Alcohol and processed food affect gut bacteria and sleep
1:16:47 Monitoring stress, recovery, activity levels, and their impact on sleep and digestion.
1:20:34 Neuroaesthetics explores the impact of beauty on our brains and health.
1:22:50 Creative activities and nature are crucial for our well-being.
1:27:12 Connecting with nature reduces stress
1:29:11 Discussion on the increased focus on death and loss in light of the pandemic
1:33:24 The brain filters the mind for survival in the material world.
1:35:32 Near-death experiences can have transformative effects on people.
1:39:35 Science doesn't explain everything about life.
1:41:35 The brain is flexible and can change throughout life
1:45:55 Finding calmness and warmth in the changing behavior of a loved one.
1:47:51 Exploring the peaceful period after loss and the potential for non-verbal communication with loved ones.
1:51:51 Importance of being present in moments with loved ones
1:53:52 Debate on Consciousness After Death
1:58:09 Implementing micro habits leads to sustainable behavior change
2:00:09 Self-compassion leads to sustainable habit changes
2:03:58 Healthy sleep habits are crucial.

[ebert]

You know how Dr. Chatterjee's 3M morning is "mindfulness, mindset and MOVEMENT"? I like the word MOVEMENT instead of exercise. I think that is what has gotten me moving in the morning. IT's that I'm MOVING not EXERCISING. It's such a mind trick, - eventually I might "exercise" but for now just 'moving" is enough 💪

[jimintaos]

Quite a few years ago I worked as a cook for an archaeological project in the south west desert in the US. We had about 90 people living in the desert. I was responsible for cooking two meals a day five days a week. It was the best job I’ve ever had and I looked forward to every day for the 9 weeks of the project. Over 10 years of working with the project I had seen a variety of cooks. None of them were bad cooks but their personalities ranged from mean and vindictive to just going through the motions for the paycheck. The personalities seemed to ripple through the camp, so when I took on the job I decided to put all of my energies into doing a good job and letting the people I cooked for know that I cared for them as if they were my family. The result was a camp that worked better than it had under any of the other cooks. People seemed to have better attitudes even when having to deal with the challenges that came up every day.

[CristinaEzPT]

I love how Dr Tara mentioned that it’s not enough to meditate for 15 mins a day, if we are then mindless for the rest of it. Therefore it’s much more helpful to practice mindfulness during the every day tasks ❤

[amandasymon]

Isn’t she amazing? So intelligent yet she delivers her message in an easy to understand way. Thank you 🙏 You have helped me greatly ❤️

[peacefulisland]

Sorry for my my ramblings here but it also just occurred to me that when we wake with a negative attitude it could simply be the subconscious mind's way of slowing us down and reflecting upon our behaviours and attitudes, unless we're already proficient.
If we are in a good mood all the time there isn't much reason to reflect.
I love quiet mornings. 🥰

[pd]

Two of my fave podcasters: doctors, intellectuals and all around lovely, good hearted people. Listening again to jot down some nuggets ❤❤❤

[suzannemartin]

1/21/24 is when I watched this video. My mom passed away 1/11/24. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's when she was 70 and died at 84. Starting at 75 years old, she aged 3-5 years within one year. I was her main caretaker. I work full time and was married with two kids. I relate to everything you are going through. I too would stay longer then planned. After 2020 she no long was the same person. She still could recall most things but I had to keep the conversation light to keep har anxiety at bay. It was draining to visit her because while I was with her I missed her so much. You're not alone.

[smartgirlswithADHD]

Why are people from Indian cultures so emotionally intelligent...what did your parents do right? Love you both.

[francescasharif]

I think this has to be one of of the most wonderful conversations i have been able to watch. The last 15 minutes are golden and touch upon the topics i am SO interested in. The series 'surviving death' was amazing and i am delighted that Dr Tara is exploring this avenue which is so incredibly comforting and fascinating!

[InsideLiverpool]

LOVED this 🤩
Especially the bit about communication through touch and a deeper level of consciousness.

When my aunty had dementia, on her worst days she didn’t recognise family & struggled to trust people - didn’t want to take medication, thought people were going to hurt her etc - so would become angry, defensive & tense, but when me or my sister went to her, she immediately softened. She knew us even if she didn’t remember us. Knew we were safe. Knew she could trust us. There was a connection, an energy, a bond between us. I just thought of it as love but maybe as Dr Tara says, it was something else. A consciousness ❤

[leregarddAlphonsine]

Thank you Dr Chatterjee ! I would like to add that sometimes it’s PEOPLE who can make you stressed our depressed. We always think of the job but trust me when you’re with someone always negative it can be hard ! One person can make a home look like hell. Sometimes these demons kill their wife and children.

[swhitmore]

What a brilliant interview. Two beautifully genuine people who are trying to make the world a better place 💚

[jan-olofharnvall]

I’ve been living with crazy high stresses for most of my life (ADHD and Aspergers, undiagnosed) and still I always been physically okay, no hart problems or anything else. Mentally it has been, to put it mildly, chaotic, still no hart problems. When I turned 50 I crashed and got diagnosed with chronic fatigue, started therapy to learn how to cope. That therapist noticed some behaviour’s on my part and referred me to another specialist who diagnosed me with both ADHD and Aspergers and sent me to a wonderfully skilled therapist who taught me how and what it is and how and what to do. Still stressed but way cooler to day and besides a bit of hypertension I’m still physically strong, actually, Im in better shape now then I was 15-years ago, walking, cycling and som weightlifting gives for a strong and hard body that keeps you alive.

[creativityworkoutsforartan]

Science is a method, not a set of facts. Such a relief to hear this coming from medical professionals.

[linamartinez]

Both of you are great together. I just hate those commercials. They break your conversations which are so great. Good to hear that you are willing to search for more wisdom and experiences. I have found that the doctors I’ve seen are so time conscious and without much concern for that individual patient. It’s just an In-N-Out visit. Thank you for the podcast.