COVID-19 and the isolation its caused has amplified mental and physical health challenges for almost everyone — our mood, diet and sleep have been under constant assault. In this week’s episode of Be HEALTHistic, Dr. Drew Sinatra welcomes back to the show Dr. Austin Perlmutter, a board-certified internal medicine physician and the New York Times bestselling co-author of Brain Wash. The doctors discuss how our brains have been hijacked by modern living, leading us to make poor decisions — and how we can regain control, reduce stress, and feel better during these uncertain times. First, Dr. Austin shares from his book, Brain Wash, explaining how our brains have been hacked — which impacts our ability to make good choices and creates worse outcomes in both health and happiness. The doctors talk about the areas of the brain responsible for different behaviors, how chronic stress increases health risks, and how COVID-19 has intensified feelings of loneliness, sparking a rise in depression and anxiety. Next, the doctors examine the importance of diet — why we feel the need to reach for comfort foods when we’re stressed, how to recognize our triggers, and how to break poor habits. Finally, Dr. Austin gives his recommendations for how to lower stress, as well as his top solutions for treating depression naturally. Don’t miss this fascinating episode of Be HEALTHistic!
