
Summary
Dr. Amir Khan joins the podcast to discuss wellness strategies for the winter months, emphasizing the importance of sunlight, exercise, and routine to combat seasonal affective disorder. He highlights that exposure to natural light is crucial for regulating energy levels and mood, as it influences the body's internal clock and serotonin production. Khan also advises maintaining a regular exercise routine, even when the weather is less inviting, to help boost energy and overall well-being.
The conversation shifts to dietary habits, particularly the cravings for sugary comfort foods during colder seasons. Khan explains that these cravings can be linked to lower serotonin levels and the psychological need for comfort. He encourages listeners to avoid associating shame with their food choices, advocating for a balanced approach to nutrition that includes both healthy foods and occasional treats. The discussion also touches on the misconceptions surrounding sugar and its alternatives, with Khan clarifying that while moderation is important, the occasional indulgence is perfectly acceptable.
As the episode wraps up, the hosts and Khan delve into the role of spirituality in wellness, particularly in the context of patient care. Khan shares insights from his experience in palliative care, emphasizing the significance of spiritual discussions in providing comfort to patients and their families. The episode concludes with a light-hearted segment where the hosts taste-test healthier Halloween treats, reinforcing the idea that enjoying food should not come with guilt or shame.
Show Notes
Could your quest to be healthier actually be making you feel worse?
In this Halloween special, Dr Amir Khan explores the science behind feeling good through winter, from the benefits of daylight and time in nature to why healthy habits can become unhealthy when we obsess over them.
He also tackles food guilt, blood sugar myths and the realities of life as a GP, revealing why looking after ourselves doesn’t have to mean tracking every metric or following every health trend.
About Dr Amir Khan:
Dr Amir Khan is an NHS GP, TV presenter and best-selling author, known for his regular appearances on ITV’s Lorraine and Good Morning Britain. He is passionate about making health advice accessible, helping people separate fact from fiction and make informed choices about their wellbeing.
Find your Feel Good Formula at Boots: https://highpfrmc.com/FGF-AU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Feel Good Formula
Nutritionist and content creator Emily English went from experiencing the damaging side of diet culture to studying nutrition and finding a much simpler way to think about food.
What if feeling good has less to do with changing yourself, and more to do with getting to know yourself?
Gabby Allen has always been a fitness girl, but for her, strength training isn’t just about how you look, it’s about how you feel.
Can grief and joy really exist side by side? Izzy Utterson lost her mum to Alzheimer’s just two months ago, and joins Zara and Dr Emily for an honest conversation about what’s helping her navigate grief.
Ever wondered what happens between the post and the "post"?