Episode

1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
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1:38:00
Published: Mon Sep 14 2020
Description

“There are ways of thinking about stress that can make your body’s response to it healthier.”Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., is an expert on stress, willpower, compassion, and the mind-body response to exercise. In this wide-ranging interview, she explains how to make stress your friend, why being active is essential for your mental health, a new way to develop self-control, and so much more.Check out the bestselling author of "The Joy of Movement," "The Upside of Stress," and "The Willpower Instinct:" https://kellymcgonigal.com/For more: https://lewishowes.com/1006

Chapters
Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist and bestselling author, discusses the mind-body connection and its potential to cure disease and combat depression, anxiety and loneliness through physical exercise.
00:00 - 02:55 (02:55)
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Mind-body connection
Summary

Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist and bestselling author, discusses the mind-body connection and its potential to cure disease and combat depression, anxiety and loneliness through physical exercise.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
The stress mindset effect is a phenomenon that explains how ways of thinking about stress can make your body's response to stress healthier or not.
02:55 - 11:22 (08:27)
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Stress Mindset Effect
Summary

The stress mindset effect is a phenomenon that explains how ways of thinking about stress can make your body's response to stress healthier or not. Labeling things as "good stress" or "bad stress" can lead to a different way of experiencing them.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
Negative emotions like loneliness, anxiety, and depression serve a function in our lives, such as encouraging us to connect with others or motivating us to take action.
11:22 - 22:19 (10:57)
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Psychology
Summary

Negative emotions like loneliness, anxiety, and depression serve a function in our lives, such as encouraging us to connect with others or motivating us to take action. Understanding this can help us work through and overcome these emotions.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
Depression, grief, and addiction all impact the brain's ability to experience positive emotions and take joy in everyday life.
22:20 - 32:34 (10:14)
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Depression
Summary

Depression, grief, and addiction all impact the brain's ability to experience positive emotions and take joy in everyday life. Caregiving for animals has been shown to be a powerful way to heal and overcome depression.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
The key to achieving your goals is predicting how you may be pulled away from them, and gratitude can help you in your journey by eliciting more support from others and making you more open to asking for help when needed.
32:34 - 40:04 (07:30)
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Gratitude
Summary

The key to achieving your goals is predicting how you may be pulled away from them, and gratitude can help you in your journey by eliciting more support from others and making you more open to asking for help when needed. Rather than trying to make oneself happy by thinking about things that they are grateful for, gratitude has a deeper meaning in our lives when used as a tool for behavior change.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
The podcast discusses the impact of long-term trauma and stress on an individual's physical health and explores the practice of exchanging compassion to alleviate suffering.
40:04 - 44:55 (04:51)
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Trauma
Summary

The podcast discusses the impact of long-term trauma and stress on an individual's physical health and explores the practice of exchanging compassion to alleviate suffering. The hosts also touch on the challenges of discussing trauma and compassion without re-traumatizing individuals.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
Trauma can help to increase our capacity to be changed by life's experiences.
44:55 - 49:53 (04:58)
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Trauma
Summary

Trauma can help to increase our capacity to be changed by life's experiences. People who flourish despite trauma often put themselves in other life experiences that are positive and increase plasticity.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
Building a trusting relationship with children and exposing them to some experiences of moving forward despite adversity or pain can equip them to deal with difficult situations they may encounter in the future.
49:53 - 54:47 (04:54)
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Child Development
Summary

Building a trusting relationship with children and exposing them to some experiences of moving forward despite adversity or pain can equip them to deal with difficult situations they may encounter in the future.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
The runner's high is a reliable change in brain chemistry that occurs during continuous movement for about 20 minutes at moderate intensity.
54:47 - 1:02:00 (07:13)
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Runner's High
Summary

The runner's high is a reliable change in brain chemistry that occurs during continuous movement for about 20 minutes at moderate intensity. It activates the pleasure system, which creates a warm glow similar to solving a problem with someone else or helping someone.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
The lack of self-control and willpower could be the reason why you are struggling to form positive habits such as exercising, keeping your phone away, and being present with your family.
1:02:00 - 1:11:02 (09:02)
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Self-Control and Willpower
Summary

The lack of self-control and willpower could be the reason why you are struggling to form positive habits such as exercising, keeping your phone away, and being present with your family. Stimulating your "pause and plan" instinct helps you to stay focused and committed to your goals.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
Self-doubt can hold us back from accomplishing things, learning, and experiencing life to its fullest, but reframing it and having the courage to push forward can lead to growth and success.
1:11:02 - 1:16:07 (05:04)
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Self-doubt
Summary

Self-doubt can hold us back from accomplishing things, learning, and experiencing life to its fullest, but reframing it and having the courage to push forward can lead to growth and success.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
The speaker talks about the importance of resisting fear and not allowing oneself to only focus on the negative aspects of humanity.
1:16:07 - 1:26:34 (10:27)
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self-improvement
Summary

The speaker talks about the importance of resisting fear and not allowing oneself to only focus on the negative aspects of humanity. By recognizing and valuing noble qualities like kindness and truthfulness in oneself and others, one can resist the temptation to become cynical.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
The speaker shares how being a teacher and mentoring others has allowed him to see his teachings being carried on in others.
1:26:34 - 1:32:34 (06:00)
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Mentorship
Summary

The speaker shares how being a teacher and mentoring others has allowed him to see his teachings being carried on in others. He mentions the value of knowing your common humanity and leaning into interdependence.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness
Pauses and swallowing during speeches, interviews, and conversations can indicate that the speaker is talking about something deep and meaningful to them.
1:32:34 - 1:37:51 (05:17)
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Public Speaking
Summary

Pauses and swallowing during speeches, interviews, and conversations can indicate that the speaker is talking about something deep and meaningful to them. Despite the challenges, truth-seeking is essential, and choosing actions that reflect good instincts is the goal.

Episode
1006 The Positive Side of Stress & Science of Self-Control w/Kelly McGonigal
Podcast
The School of Greatness