Alka Patel: A one-million-hour life

As we prepare to welcome 2023, what better time to kick start a new healthy longevity lifestyle.  We're excited at LLAMA to continue our never ending journey of learning, with this inspiring conversation about living for a million hours. Have a wonderful New Year! Dr. Alka Patel is a London-based General Practitioner who believes that it is possible to live for well over a century, with targeted self-care and "compassionate lifestyle changes." In this interview Dr. Patel shares her wisdom and enthusiasm for healthy aging interventions - some of which are based on her own struggles with stress and burnout.   This episode is brought to you in association with Clinique La Prairie with whom we share a common goal of helping people pursue a long healthspan.  The pioneering health and wellness destination, nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva in Montreux, Switzerland, combines preventative medicine with bespoke lifestyle and nutrition plans, and offers a holistic approach to living fuller, healthier, and longer lives.We discuss:The role of a doctor - from treater of the sick to health care coachWhat it means to focus on minute-by-minute self-careThe pivotal life moments that shaped Dr. Patel's approach to health coachingHow health advice during moments of pain can be overwhelmingTracking lifestyle changes and being accountable to yourselfExplaining the LQ - Lifestyle Quotient - testWhy access to personal bio data is vital to understand your healthPartnering up with a friend or qualified mentor to champion your healthcare journey.The Hawthorne Effect - the power of being observedThe 'teachable moments" in life that challenge and ultimately inspire usEmbracing the "reality of life" from the dark moments to the fun side of living. Making fitness tech and wearable devices work for youDowntime, calendar white space and time to breathDiet dilemas and the power of fasting or restricted eatingThe different stages of sleep and why they matterWhy Alka believes a million-hour-life is a realistic goalSupport the showThe Live Long podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.