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BITESIZE | Simple Daily Habits to Reduce Stress and Anxiety | Dr Mithu Storoni #192

Jun 17, 2021 14m 55s 8 insights
We are living in the middle of a stress epidemic - the World Health Organization calls stress ‘the health epidemic of the twenty-first century’. But what can we do about it? Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests. Today’s clip is from episode 56 of the podcast with neuroscientist, researcher and author of the book ‘Stress-Proof, Dr. Mithu Storoni. In this clip, Mithu reveals the results of her research on the common causes of stress and how it affects our health. She gives some great practical tips on how we can help to buffer ourselves from the consequences of stress by changing some of our daily habits. Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/56 Thanks to our sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemore Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Actionable Insights

1. Establish Daily Routines

Implement and adhere to daily routines to help your brain predict upcoming events, as this predictability reduces uncertainty and makes the brain feel safer, thereby lowering stress levels.

2. Reduce Evening Blue Light Exposure

Minimize exposure to blue light from screens like smartphones, Kindles, and Netflix in the evenings to support the natural production of melatonin, which the brain uses as a natural anti-anxiety agent.

3. Intermittent Low-Intensity Movement

Integrate low to moderate intensity movement intervals throughout your day, such as short walks, because this type of exercise helps buffer the effects of stress and lowers cortisol levels, preventing stress accumulation.

4. Practice Yoga for Self-Control

Engage in yoga practice to learn how to control your internal state and responses, thereby gaining a sense of command and self-control over yourself even amidst external uncertainty and chaos.

5. Morning High-Intensity Exercise

If engaging in a significant dose of exercise, perform it in the morning to align with the body’s natural stress buffering mechanisms, rather than raising cortisol further in the evening.

6. Use Blue Blocking Glasses

Wear blue-blocking glasses from around 8 PM until bedtime and ensure all evening light is both dim and non-blue, as bright light (even white) and blue light can stimulate melanopsin-containing cells, disrupting natural sleep signals.

7. Take a Hot Bath for Mood

When feeling low, consider taking a hot bath to raise your core body temperature, as this has been shown in one study to potentially protect against depressive symptoms for several weeks.

8. Daily AG1 for Gut Health

Consider incorporating AG1, a daily health drink with five strains of gut bacteria, into your routine to support digestion and enrich your gut microbiome by increasing beneficial bacteria.