← Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

How To Be Well with Dr Frank Lipman #24

Jun 28, 2018 52m 55s 28 insights
Dr Chatterjee talks to US doctor and functional and integrative medicine expert, Dr Frank Lipman. They discuss Frank’s philosophy of combining traditional Eastern medicine with nutritional science and the best of Western medicine for long-term health and wellness. Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/24 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Actionable Insights

1. Cultivate Life Purpose

Actively seek and cultivate meaning and purpose in your life, as these non-tangible aspects are profoundly important for healing and overall health.

2. Prioritize Quality Sleep

Make sleep a priority to allow your brain’s glymphatic system (cleaning crew) to clear out chemicals and breakdown particles, which is essential for preventing cognitive decline and maintaining memory.

3. Question Systems & Protocols

Develop a habit of questioning established systems and medical protocols, rather than blindly following them, to seek better and more effective solutions for health.

4. Engage in Meditation

Regularly practice meditation for 15-20 minutes daily to control your mind, reduce reactivity, and improve mental sharpness, especially if you feel burned out.

5. Prioritize Daily Self-Care

Dedicate at least 15 minutes each day to an activity solely for yourself, without smartphone involvement, to improve health and well-being.

6. Pursue Weekly Passions

Identify and engage in one activity you love each week that you may not have done before, as pursuing passions can significantly improve health symptoms.

7. Eat Unaltered, Natural Foods

Consume foods that are as close to nature as possible, seeking out local farmers and choosing items not injected or sprayed with chemicals, as unaltered food is generally the healthiest.

8. Prioritize Vegetables & Sourced Protein

Aim for a diet where vegetables constitute up to 70% of your intake, complemented by well-sourced protein (grass-fed, organic, wild fish), as many people benefit from this low-carbohydrate approach.

9. Eliminate Refined Carbs

Drastically reduce or eliminate highly refined and processed carbohydrates from your diet, as cutting them out can immediately improve your overall dietary quality.

10. Balance Movement with Rest

Incorporate a balance of intense movement (push) with periods of rest (relax) in your exercise routine, similar to intermittent training, to avoid overexertion and burnout.

11. Monitor Post-Exercise Energy

Pay attention to how your body feels after exercise; if you consistently feel exhausted, it indicates you might be over-exercising and should adjust your routine to prevent adrenal burnout.

12. Move Your Body Naturally

Focus on moving your body as much as possible throughout the day, in ways nature intended, rather than solely relying on gym workouts, to improve overall physical health.

13. Practice Daily Gratitude

Incorporate daily practices of gratitude, as these ordinary activities have an extraordinary, beneficial effect on your health.

14. Be Kind to Others

Make an effort to be kind to others, recognizing that this simple act can have a positive impact on your own health and well-being.

15. Use Music for Mood Regulation

Leverage music, such as reggae (e.g., Bob Marley), to change your mood and promote healing by allowing your body to entrain to slower rhythms, which can help you relax and chill out.

16. Walk in Nature Regularly

Take regular walks in nature, as this seemingly ordinary activity is considered medicine and can have a significant positive impact on your health.

17. Practice Breathing Techniques

Learn and practice various breathing techniques to help relax and calm an overactive nervous system, getting out of your head and into a more balanced state.

18. Utilize Meditation Apps

Use meditation apps like Headspace or Calm to make starting and maintaining a daily meditation practice easier and more accessible.

19. Prioritize Family Dinners

Make an effort to sit around a table and eat dinners with your family, fostering community and connection which are important for health.

20. Seek Supportive Community

Actively seek out and join a community, either local or online, where you feel heard, comfortable, and share similar beliefs, even if it requires travel.

21. Join Group Exercise Classes

Participate in weekly group exercise classes, such as yoga, to meet like-minded people and foster a sense of community and connection.

22. Connect Barefoot with Earth

Walk barefoot on the beach or in nature to connect with the earth’s energy, which can contribute to feeling better and a sense of awe.

23. Practice Forest Bathing

Engage in ‘forest bathing’ or Shinrin Yoku by walking in a forest, as this practice is known to improve well-being and foster a feeling of awe.

24. Prioritize Organic ‘Dirty Dozen’

If unable to buy all organic food, prioritize purchasing organic versions of items on the Environmental Working Group’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ list to reduce exposure to heavily sprayed pesticides.

25. Reduce Cosmetic Chemical Exposure

Be aware of the chemicals in cosmetics and aim to decrease the number of chemicals applied to your skin, as the skin is permeable and these substances can enter your body.

26. Minimize Household Chemical Sprays

Reduce or eliminate the use of typical household cleaning sprays, as they can cause skin and breathing problems due to chemical exposure.

27. Perform Short Strength Workouts

Integrate short, five-minute strength training workouts into your daily routine, such as ‘kitchen workouts,’ to build strength even when time is limited.

28. Engage in Charity Work

Consider engaging in charity or nonprofit work, especially if struggling with chronic health issues, as a change of environment and focus on helping others can be profoundly healing.