For many people, lockdown has provided a time for personal development. You may have discovered and worked on new qualities or skills. But I’m very aware that just as many people have found it a really stressful and incredibly busy time. Perhaps you’re a key worker, or a working parent juggling schooling and office hours. Maybe you’re out of work, have lost loved ones, or are in any way struggling to cope.

This week’s podcast has a really important message for everyone: be kind to yourself. It’s OK not to have acquired new skills or found enlightenment.

I’m delighted to welcome back Dr Tara Swart, a previous guest, whose message I think is more important now than ever. Tara’s impressive list of credentials includes medical doctor, neuroscientist, psychiatrist, lecturer at MIT, business coach and author. Her passion is teaching people how to apply lessons from neuroscience and behavioural psychology – in easy, achievable ways – to enhance their everyday lives and better cope with stress and change.

We discuss some really practical, empowering acts of self-care you can easily build into your day – micro habits that can build your resilience to stress. Not all of us have time for 90 minutes of yoga every evening. But Tara explains there is no need to worry – simply lying on your yoga mat for five minutes sends the signal to your brain that you matter and that you are worth looking after.

We chat about the value of journaling during the pandemic; how it develops self-awareness and can help our relationships. We also talk about spirituality, vivid dreaming, and how to cope if you’re feeling anxious about the easing of lockdown or uncertain about the future.

Finally, Tara talks us through how to create a ‘vision board’ for how we want life to be different after lockdown. Mine is going to include less time travelling, more with my family, whom I’ve come to cherish more than ever during these past months. What would be on your action board? What have you learned about yourself during lockdown – and how do you want that to inform the life you lead going forward? I really hope this conversation helps you to consider that.

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.*

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Watch the video version of this interview in full below.

Find out more about Tara:

Website     Twitter     Instagram

Tara’s books:

The Source: Open Your Mind, Change Your Life^†

Neuroscience for Leadership: Harnessing the Brain Gain Advantage (The Neuroscience of Business)^†

Further learning:

• Harpers Bazaar – Are you having more vivid dreams at the moment?
• Psycom.net – An Examination of the Kubler-Ross Model
• Collective Unconscious explanation
• Evening Standard – Brain gain: The Source is a mind manual that might just change your life 
• Fastcompany – 3 simple habits that can protect your brain from cognitive decline
• The Daily mail – How to train your brain to make your dreams come true 

Videos:

• Businessinsider – A neuroscientist explains the 5 most effective methods to keep your brain healthy 
• TEDx talk – Neuroscience and Nationalism
• www.taraswart.com – Team Mental Resillience

Dr Chatterjee’s resources:

• Podcast #58 – How to Open Your Mind and Change Your Life with Dr Tara Swart
• Podcast #91 – If This Man Can Turn His Life Around, So Can You with John McAvoy
• Find Dr Chatterjee’s 4 Pillars of Health in The 4 Pillar Plan^†
• Available in the US & Canada with the title How to Make Disease Disappear^†
• Order Dr Chatterjee’s book The Stress Solution^†
• Dr Chatterjee’s book Feel Better in 5^† is out now
• Click here for Dr Chatterjee’s YouTube channel
• Facebook Dr Chatterjee 4 Pillar Community Tribe

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*DISCLAIMER: 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.

†Disclosure: All books marked with a † are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. We take part in Amazon’s affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon’s website. You are not charged any extra by using these links to purchase books.