Stress and the Mind-Body Connection | Kelly McGonigal, PhD

We live in a culture that vilifies stress. Stress, we are told, is unhealthy both physiologically and emotionally, and something to be avoided at all costs. But Stanford University health psychologist Kelly McGonigal, PhD believes that by suppressing or ignoring it, we're missing out on the benefits of effective stress management. Kelly is also a bestselling author whose work focuses on the mind-body connection and the psychology of compassion and mindfulness. In this episode, Kelly shares the personal experiences that led her to this work, the myths and misconceptions surrounding stress, the role of physical movement in promoting our wellbeing, and how even busy physicians can find space for self-compassion.In this episode, you will hear about:The early life experiences that led Kelly into a career in psychology - 1:55What health psychology is - 3:50How physical health impacts mental and emotional wellbeing - 6:13Why many physicians find it difficult to maintain physical health - 11:58The behaviors that can make a big difference in one’s physical and mental wellbeing - 15:06How Kelly helps physicians provide care to their patients while holding space for the exhaustion and frustration that can come with this work - 25:50Common misconceptions about stress - 38:39The importance of self-compassion for those working in high-stakes fields like medicine - 43:00Advice to clinicians on better supporting patients going through stressful times - 55:48Dr. McGonigal is the author of several books, including The Willpower Instinct (2012), The Upside of Stress (2015), and The Joy of Movement (2019).Watch Dr. McGonigal’s popular TED talk on stress management.You can follow Dr. McGonigal on Twitter @KellyMcGonigal.Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to [email protected] The Doctor’s Art Podcast 2023