Episode 13

full
Published on:

25th Mar 2020

13. Slowing Down, Reaching Out, and Eating for Mood, Especially in a Crisis

Keeping on top of our fundamentals and knowing ourselves are two keys to maintaining our wellbeing in a crisis. In this episode, we cover finding the silver linings in this and any situation for the benefit of our wellbeing, including taking things a bit slower, connecting with friends and loved ones in the face of social distancing, and eating for optimal mood. Take steps with us this week!

LET'S TALK THE WALK!

  • Wellness While Walking Facebook page
  • Wellness While Walking on Instagram
  • Wellness While Walking on Twitter
  • Wellness While Walking website for show notes and other information

RESOURCES AND SOURCES (some links may be affiliate links)

Slowing Down and Connecting

"Mommy, I Like the Coronavirus," wsj.com

"Social Distancing Shouldn't Mean Losing Human Connection," washingtonpost.com

"Homefront During World War II," wikipedia.org

How to Install Netflix Party

Food and Mood

In a mental health emergency, reach out to your health care provider, call 911 in the US or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255

"Feed Your Head: Foods That Target Depression and Anxiety," wsj.com.

"Managing Stress and Anxiety/Coronavirus," cdc.gov

"NIH Human Microbiome Project Defines Normal Bacterial Makeup," nih.gov

Broken Brain Docuseries, Dr. Mark Hyman, brokenbrain.com

"Defining Dysbiosis for a Cluster of Chronic Diseases," nature.com

"Leaky Gut: What is it, and What Does It Mean for You?", health.harvard.edu

"These Women Treated Their Anxiety and Depression with Food. Here's What They Ate," healthline.com

"Anxiety Might be Alleviated by Regulating Gut Bacteria," sciencedaily.com

"Human Microbiome Project," nih.gov

"Scientists Bust Myth That Our Bodies Have More Bacteria Than Human Cells," nature.com (NOTE: They do, but not 10x more as previously stated)

"Changing Your Diet Can Help Tamp Down Depression, Boost Mood," npr.org

"A Suspicious Gut Microbiome: 19 Conditions Linked to Dysbiosis," viome.com

"A Brief Diet Intervention Can Reduce Symptoms of Depression in Young Adults - A Randomised Controlled Trial," plos.org

"This is Your Brain on Healthy Food," Drew Ramsey, M.D.

"Your Gut Microbiome and Anxiety - What's the Connection?", chriskresser.com

"Nutrition and Mental Health - What's the Connection?", chriskresser.com

"Dysbiosis," wikipedia.org

"The Baffling Connection Between Vegetarianism and Depression," psychologytoday.com

"Fermented Foods: Functional Foods," foodandmoodcentre.com.au

"How to Stay Physically and Mentally Healthy While COVID-19 Has You Stuck at Home," time.com

DISCLAIMER

Neither I nor my podcast guests are doctors or healthcare professionals of any kind, and nothing on this podcast or associated content should be considered medical advice. The information provided by Wellness While Walking Podcast and associated material, by Whole Life Workshop and by Bermuda Road Wellness LLC is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment, and before undertaking a new health care regimen, including walking.

Listen for free

Show artwork for Wellness While Walking

About the Podcast

Wellness While Walking
Small Steps to Big Health
Welcome! Each episode of Wellness While Walking addresses the real health concerns you're facing:

• metabolism shifts and blood sugar spikes/weight gain
• establishing sustainable habits despite crazy-busy schedules
• adapting movement regimens (featuring walking!*) to work for you… in a fun way!
• implementing doable nutrition approaches that work with your midlife body and life

Hi, I'm Carolyn, a Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach of almost 20 years.

I was a health-rejectionist! I didn't think it mattered what our lifestyles were like – I even doubled down on this approach, working in the ultra-processed foods industry for a decade (and gained a lot of weight and was fatigued all the time, but I didn't connect the dots!) But then I got very sick. And my young children did, too. I started to open up to the idea that what we ate, how (if!) we moved, how we slept and more – how it did matter! I "walked back" my chronic disease diagnoses and my kids healed.

After over a decade of health coaching people in their midlife years, I also noticed another trend – that of extremes! Folks rejected things like walking and eating largely whole foods for their more intense counterparts, like running and "eating clean." I knew that I needed to fight this, because there are lots of health-conferring points in between on the spectrum, and I'm all about capitalizing on the low hanging fruit by taking small steps that we'll actually do and enjoy!

I do think we need to fight societal norms that leave us unhealthy – we call that "walking against traffic" – but this can be a moderate, doable, fun and effective path! Getting this word out to the wider audience beyond my clientele led me to introduce the Wellness While Walking Podcast in January of 2020, and we've been going strong since!

I hope you'll join me, Health Coach Carolyn, for Wellness While Walking—your 30-minute movement companion that delivers research-backed strategies for weight management, metabolic health, healing chronic conditions and extending your healthspan in a motivating, compassionate format!
Whether you're seeking accountability for consistent action, clarity on conflicting health advice, or gentle guidance for aging vibrantly, Wellness While Walking meets you where you are with understanding and actionable solutions.

By the end of each episode, you'll feel physically energized, mentally renewed, and equipped with clear next steps—having moved, learned, laughed, and found the motivation to take the next meaningful step on your health journey! (*Did I mention that we play a beep halfway through so you know when to turn around if you're walking while listening?!)

Today is a terrific day to start so press "Follow" and then "Play," and let's do this, together!

About your host

Profile picture for Carolyn Cohen

Carolyn Cohen