Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

With the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools bill returning to the House of Commons imminently, it’s a key time to make your feelings known. Email your MP https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/email. Today’s episode is about a topic that I am truly passionate about - the introduction of social media and smartphones into all aspects of our lives - and what impact this is having on us individually, collectively and, perhaps most urgently, what impact is this having on our children.  Jonathan Haidt is arguably one of the worlds’ most eminent psychologists. He is a Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business and the author of 4 best-selling books, including his latest ‘The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness’.   In this episode, Jonathan and I explore how the fundamental differences between online and real-world interactions are affecting young people's social, emotional and cognitive development. We discuss why girls face unique risks on social media, from damaged relationships and reputations to harassment, and how gaming and pornography are shaping boys' expectations of relationships. Jonathan also shares some eye-opening data about the link between a decline in teen mental health and the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media. He emphasises the need for collective action to create healthier norms around technology use, both at home and in schools. We dive into practical strategies for parents, including setting clear boundaries and prioritising hobbies and family time. Our conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating technology use in a world where the pace of change has been so fast. Jonathan remains optimistic that we're nearing a tipping point and outlines four key norms we can all adopt with our children—even if they’re already dependent on their phones throughout the day. We also discuss in detail what we believe schools could be doing to help their students have less screen time and the importance of collaborating with other families to support healthier habits. As a parent and a doctor, I'm deeply concerned about the mental health crisis facing our children and young people. But if, as a society, we can come together to raise awareness and take purposeful action, we can create a healthier future for the next generation. I think this is one of the most important conversations that I have ever had on my podcast. Jonathan and I both believe that the rewiring of our children’s brains to be one of the most urgent societal harms that needs addressing.   My hope is that you find this conversation eye opening, enlightening and thought provoking - and I very much hope it prompts you to take action. Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com. Thanks to our sponsors: https://ag1.com/livemore https://thewayapp.com/livemore  Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/613   DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

It’s easy to believe that we have to dedicate lots of time and energy to exercise. That, unless we’re pushing ourselves to our limits, it’s not worth doing.  Today’s clip is from episode 325 of the podcast with neuroscientist and Professor of Neural Science and Psychology, Dr Wendy Suzuki. Every morning Wendy starts her day with 30-minutes of exercise. She knows – from personal experience backed by scientific research – that this makes her more focused, happy, motivated, and even creative. She knows it’ll help her grow new brain cells and neural pathways, long into old age. And she wants you to reap all these benefits too. In this clip, Wendy shares why you don’t need to exercise for hours to gain benefits and  how just 10 minutes of exercise can create changes in the brain that go much further than simply boosting our mood. This is a practical and inspiring episode that I’m certain will have you taking action immediately. Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠https://drinkag1.com/livemore Show notes and the full podcast are available at https://drchatterjee.com/325 Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore⁠⁠ For other podcast platforms go to ⁠⁠https://fblm.supercast.com. 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. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

If you have ever struggled with your weight, low energy, pre-diabetes or even type 2 diabetes, this is a conversation that could change your life. Dr David Unwin is an NHS GP who not only put his own type 2 diabetes into drug free remission, he has also helped over 150 patients do the same in a standard UK general practice – with ordinary people, on ordinary budgets, using food and lifestyle. It’s estimated that around 7/8ths of the adult population are metabolically unhealthy, which means that only a tiny minority of us are truly metabolically well. And this is a serious issue because poor metabolic health is one of the root cause drivers of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes, Alzheimer’s and many forms of cancer. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why I co-founded Do Health https://drchatterjee.com/do-health/ - a personalised health companion, powered by your individual biology and lifestyle - as a way of helping people improve their metabolic health early, well before they get sick in the future. In this week’s episode, we cover: The early signs of poor metabolic health, and why symptoms like fatigue, belly fat and brain fog are often overlooked. Why many issues we see as ‘normal ageing’ are actually signs of insulin resistance. How David himself reversed his own type 2 diabetes and, at the same time, improved his mood, energy and cognition. How reducing starchy carbohydrates if you have metabolic dys-regulation can dramatically improve blood sugar control Why so many of us struggle with bread, pasta, and ultra processed foods – and how food addiction may be silently driving our behaviour. The two women who helped David rethink everything he thought he knew about food, hope and healing And why it’s never too late to work on your metabolic health and why doing so can change every aspect of your life. One of the things I love most about David is his passion. He really is someone who genuinely wants to improve the health and lives of his patients and our hope is this conversation empowers you to make small changes that will improve your blood sugar, weight, energy, and ultimately, your future.   Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.   Thanks to our sponsors: https://boncharge.com/livemore https://thewayapp.com/livemore   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/611⁠   DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

What do you think you might be saying on your deathbed? Will you be looking back at your life with a sense of joy and completeness, or, do you think that perhaps you might be consumed with regret? As this week’s guest shares, “It’s easy to assume that you will live with great health to a ripe old age, then die peacefully in your sleep wearing your favourite pyjamas but it doesn’t work out that way for most people…” Bronnie Ware is an internationally acclaimed speaker and author of the bestselling memoir, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. Published more than 10 years ago, it’s been translated into 32 languages and continues to attract new audiences. The book is about her eight years as an end-of-life carer, the close relationships she formed, and lessons she learned from those dying people, which changed her life forever. In this conversation, we discuss some of the various regrets of the dying and what they can teach us so that we can live better lives, right now. We talk about the concept of choice. Everything we do, or don’t do, has a price – be it time or money. Our culture incentivises what we can measure – salaries, possessions, status, social media ‘likes’ and comments. But Bronnie urges us to realise the sacredness and value of our time. Is something a choice worth making if it means you have to sacrifice time with your loved ones? Is it worth pushing extra hard for the promotion that may bring you more money but also more stress and more time away from home? These are decisions that I think we all need to wrestle with from time to time if we are truly going to be living a contented and intentional life. We also talk about the real meaning of regret, what it means to be courageous, and how self-compassion can help us see our mistakes as a natural part of life and growth. Importantly, Bronnie also defines the qualities and habits she observed in those patients who reached the end of life with no regrets – what can we learn from these people? Death can be a topic that many people shy away from discussing but Bronnie is a wonderful soul who is able to talk about death in a relatable, powerful and authentic way. Appreciating we are going to die is the first step to getting more out of life. This really was a thought-provoking and intimate conversation. I hope you enjoy listening.   Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com. Thanks to our sponsors: https://www.thewayapp.com/livemore https://drinkag1.com/livemore   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/610   DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Did you know that your daily habits directly affect the speed at which your brain is ageing and your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease in the future? 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 573 of the podcast with medical doctor, board-certified surgeon, and expert in preventive health, Dr Darshan Shah. This was one of the most-listened-to podcast episodes in the UK in 2025, and one that clearly resonated with so many of you. In this clip, Darshan shares practical advice that could transform how you think about your health and we explore some of the most important daily habits that could add decades to your life.  These practical, evidence-based changes can help you feel better not just now, but for decades to come. Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠https://drinkag1.com/livemore Show notes and the full podcast are available at https://drchatterjee.com/573 Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore⁠⁠ For other podcast platforms go to ⁠⁠https://fblm.supercast.com. 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. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.