← Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

BITESIZE | The Simple Habit That Can Transform Your Health and Happiness I Michael Acton Smith #252

Mar 31, 2022 11m 36s 12 insights
There are so many health benefits associated with a consistent practice of meditation, and the benefits of a regular practice can extend beyond the meditation itself into daily life, benefitting our health and increasing our happiness. 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 2 of the podcast with co-founder of the meditation app ‘Calm’, Michael Acton Smith Michael admits he wasn’t initially convinced about trying meditation until he researched the science.     Since then, the practice has transformed his life and, in this clip, he explains how we can all experience the many benefits by making it an enjoyable daily habit. Thanks to our sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemore Order Dr Chatterjee's new book Happy Mind, Happy Life: UK version: https://amzn.to/304opgJ, US & Canada version: https://amzn.to/3DRxjgp Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/3oAKmxi. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.   Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/02 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Actionable Insights

1. Cultivate Awareness for Responses

Practice meditation to become more aware and conscious, enabling you to make decisions as thoughtful responses rather than instinctive reactions, which helps in changing habits.

2. Reframe Meditation as Mental Fitness

Reframe meditation as ‘mental fitness’ to strengthen your mind’s attention muscle, rather than trying to clear your mind, which is a common misconception.

3. Research Meditation Science

Research the science and neuroscience behind meditation to overcome preconceived ideas and realize its potential to rewire your brain.

4. Start Meditation Slowly

Begin meditation gently with just a few minutes, or even a few seconds of conscious breathing, and gradually lengthen the duration over time, similar to training for a marathon.

5. Acknowledge Thoughts, Return Focus

During meditation, acknowledge thoughts when they come, gently move them away, and return your focus to a constant like your breath, repeating this practice to strengthen attention.

6. Meditate First Thing Morning

Schedule meditation first thing in the morning to ensure it happens, as it’s a great time to establish the routine before the day’s demands make it difficult.

7. Anchor Healthy Habits

Implement new healthy habits by ‘anchoring’ them to existing instinctive routines, such as meditating immediately after brushing your teeth in the morning.

8. Commit to One Lifestyle Change

To improve health, pick one specific lifestyle change and commit to it for a week to see how you feel, as simple changes can make massive differences.

9. Avoid Phone in Bed

Never use your phone in bed to prevent difficulty switching off your mind and to avoid dreams filled with digital content, promoting better sleep.

10. Delay Morning Phone Checks

Upon waking, make sure not to check social media, messages, or emails until you’ve left the house to start the day in a lighter way without immediate digital distractions.

11. Use Apps as Meditation Tools

Utilize meditation apps and technology as tools to learn and practice mindfulness, allowing you to control your devices rather than being controlled by them.

12. Incorporate AG1 Daily

Consider incorporating AG1 as a daily health drink to support digestion and enrich your gut microbiome, as its five strains of gut bacteria have been shown to increase beneficial bacteria.