Today’s workplaces are rapidly evolving, and today’s guest believes we’re still clinging to outdated notions of productivity. Despite the shift from physical to knowledge-based work, many workplaces still prioritise quantity over quality and this is leading to stress and burnout for many employees.

Dr Mithu Storoni is a University of Cambridge-trained physician, neuroscience researcher and ophthalmic surgeon who advises many multinational companies on mental performance and stress management.  Her latest book, ‘Hyperefficient: Simple Methods to Optimise Your Brain and Transform the Way You Work’, lays out the tools we need to retune our brains to their best settings for complex thinking, creativity, concentration, and decision-making.

In our conversation, Mithu explains her novel idea that our brain has 3 different gears and that if we can learn how to use them, we can dramatically improve our productivity and our mental wellbeing. She also explains the critical importance of aligning our work patterns with our natural bodily rhythms, the science of taking regular breaks, the specific benefits that naps can offer and the role of exercise, particularly walking, in enhancing creativity and problem-solving.

We also discuss the impact of modern technology on our ability to focus and relax, and Mithu contrasts our modern lives, with the lives of long living communities around the world.

This episode is brimming with actionable advice on how to work more effectively, protect your brain health, and find a more harmonious balance between productivity and wellbeing.  Whether you’re battling burnout, struggling with focus, or simply looking to optimise the way you live, Mithu’s approach offers a roadmap to a more fulfilling and sustainable approach to life.

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.*