Share

cover art for Kindness - the health boost for all that costs nothing

Saving Lives In Slow Motion

Kindness - the health boost for all that costs nothing

Season 1, Ep. 59

In this episode I look at the science and psychology behind kindness. 


Why is kindness important? Are there any downsides? 

And is it good for both the giver and receiver?



Kindness and stress:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8848115/



The doctor as a drug:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-power-rest/201103/the-doctor-is-drug



Oxytocin increases with age: 

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.846234/full



Spreading kindness: 

https://www.kent.ac.uk/staffwellbeing/documents/Covid-19%20Articles/The%20Power%20Of%20Random%20Acts%20Of%20Kindness.html



The anatomy of kindness (Radio 4) - interviews:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00154cp



Study kindness (postgraduate course): 

https://study-online.sussex.ac.uk/news-and-events/what-is-the-psychology-of-kindness/



Action for Happiness: 

https://actionforhappiness.org



Kindness in religions:

https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/five-religious-australians-reflect-on-kindness-and-faith/11852608

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 136. Autoimmunity - its alarming rise and what we can do about it

    19:56||Season 1, Ep. 136
    Autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases are on the rise. In this episode I look at why this is the case, the mechanisms behind autoimmunity and what we can do to prevent and manage it.Innate vs adaptive immunity (including B and T cells): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/#Molecular mimicry in autoimmunity: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896841118305365#Hashimoto’s - molecular mimicry in action. Gluten mimics the surface proteins of the thyroid gland: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37554764/Autoantibodies: https://pathology.jhu.edu/autoimmune/definitionsThe rise of autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9918670/#Intestinal permeability and autoimmunity: https://academic.oup.com/biohorizons/article/doi/10.1093/biohorizons/hzx015/4670557#'Leaky gut’ syndrome: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326117Autoimmune protocol diet: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/aip-diet-autoimmune-protocol-diet#how-it-worksProteus and rheumatoid arthritis; https://www.iomcworld.org/open-access/worldwide-links-between-emproteus-mirabilisem-and-rheumatoid-arthritis-46162.htmlSleep and autoimmunity: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(22)00311-3/fulltextStress and autoimmunity: https://www.autoimmuneinstitute.org/articles/stress-autoimmune-disease-navigating-the-complex-relationship/An expert opinion on the rise in autoimmunity: https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/why-are-autoimmune-and-allergic-diseases-rising-andrew-wang/Vitamin D and autoimmunity: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2306132-vitamin-d-supplements-really-do-reduce-risk-of-autoimmune-disease/#ixzz7KF2W0SEL
  • 135. Biomechanics - a key to health, hiding in plain sight

    16:04||Season 1, Ep. 135
    Our biomechanics affect us all the time, each and every day and is often ignored when it comes to its impact on health. From hip pain to heartburn, our anatomy and the way we move can have impacts on our health on a daily basis.Leg length discrepancy: https://www.thebiomechanicsmethod.com/2021/06/01/how-a-leg-length-discrepancy-affects-the-body/Podiatry and foot biomechanics: https://www.ukpodiatry.com/our-assessments/biomechanical-analysisKyphosis exercises: https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/kyphosis-exercises#exercises-to-tryWorld Athletics: https://worldathletics.org/news/press-release/2017-world-championships-athletics-biomechaniThe kinetic chain: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7174497/Exercise for constipation: https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-constipation/exercises-to-relieve-constipation#1Looking at your phone: https://www.cprtherapy.org/blog/Postural-Awareness-with-Mobile-Devices~6435.htmlDouglas Heel (activation therapy): https://douglasheel.com/
  • 134. 'Your typical day" - how it can give you clues to unresolved symptoms

    18:35||Season 1, Ep. 134
    In my book The Health Fix I talk about how I ask patients about their typical day and why that is a great question to ask in order to generate a 'Lifestyle Prescription’.Looking at your typical day may not be something you’ve done recently or in any detail but it can give you clues to why you may be contributing to some of your symptoms or how you feel. Carpal tunnel syndrome and sleep position: https://www.athletico.com/2017/04/14/sleep-positioning-carpal-tunnel-syndrome/Sleep and circadian rhythm tips: https://www.stylist.co.uk/health/sleep/cant-sleep-mistakes/496595Health trackers and anxiety: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8357265/Caffeine and our genes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4242593/Systems medicine and biology: https://laskerfoundation.org/leroy-hood-there-is-going-to-be-a-fantastic-revolution-in-medicine/Eating late and sleep disruption: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-eating-before-bed-bad-for-youMicrowave ovens and health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4242593/Repressed emotions and dealing with them: https://www.healthline.com/health/repressed-emotionsMy IDEAL framework in print: https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/the-health-fix-dr-ayan-panja-new-years-resolutionsMy IDEAL framework on this podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/saving-lives-in-slow-motion/id1573742958?i=1000567557435Our monkey brain: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/saving-lives-in-slow-motion/id1573742958?i=1000597803315THE HEALTH FIX:  The Health Fix: Transform your Health in 8 Weeks amazon.co.uk
  • 133. Big Pharma - friend or foe?

    18:21||Season 1, Ep. 133
    Big Pharma gets a lot of bad press, yet most of us have needed to take medication for something at some point in our lives. How do we minimise the risk of our coming to harm from drugs and what can industry do to work more openly with us?Diuretic drugs: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-79565-7_4Ben Goldacre - a review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3635613/Evidence Based Medicine: https://guides.mclibrary.duke.edu/ebmLorcainide story: https://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.g7717/rr-1Anti-arrhythmic drugs: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/drug-cabinet/anti-arrhythmicsDrug reps and doctors: https://www.npr.org/2024/04/19/1245972805/pharma-reps-have-visited-doctors-for-decades-what-impact-does-it-have-on-patientThe opioid crisis and Oxycontin latest: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-60610707PHQ-9 for depression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3416649/#Monoclonal antibodies: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/114311.stmALLTRIALS: alltrials.netThe NHS and big pharma: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jul/08/its-naive-to-think-this-is-in-the-best-interests-of-the-nhs-how-big-pharmas-millions-are-influencing-healthcare
  • 132. Decluttering your home - how it could have multiple benefits for your health

    15:41||Season 1, Ep. 132
    The evidence is compelling. Clutter can be harmful to our health in many ways from poor sleep, stress, anxiety and even physical pain. Why is this the case and what can we do about it? Graham Hill - less stuff, more happiness: https://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_less_stuff_more_happiness?subtitle=enMarie Kondo and her work: https://konmari.com/Attention and the visual cortex: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21228167/Fals risk: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10735369/\\Eating behaviours and hoarding: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25440599/Procrastination and clutter: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36767429/Decluttering challenge: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-10-100-decluttering-challenge-37394185Clutter, sleep and fatigue: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9616259/ADHD and clutter: https://www.additudemag.com/making-peace-with-your-clutter/
  • 131. Can some of our ‘bad' habits actually be good for us?

    15:05||Season 1, Ep. 131
    I got thinking about this recently whilst on holiday recently where I was having a lot of lie-ins anddoing a lot of daydreaming. Coffee: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffeeChewing and alertness: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449949/Chewing and effects on the immune system: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/research-reveals-surprising-health-benefits-of-chewing-your-food/Fidgeting and NEAT: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/fitness/fat-loss/a36287384/neat-exercise/Eating bogies - benefits?: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25344244/Lie-ins: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/sep/13/dream-on-the-surprising-health-benefit-of-a-weekend-lie-inMissing breakfast: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-skipping-breakfast-badAlcohol and cognitive health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4866612/Daydreaming: https://time.com/6256541/why-daydreaming-is-good-for-you/Bottling up anger: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8374519.stmBouts of anger: https://blog.swedish.org/swedish-blog/new-study-bouts-of-anger-can-take-a-toll-on-your-heartHow to process anger (Dr Gabor Maté): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh1-y3TzSO4
  • 130. Role models and their impact on health (good and bad)

    14:05||Season 1, Ep. 130
    Many of us have role models but do they impact our health?As the Olympics were taking place recently I started to think aboutthis and in this episode I look at some studies and reveal their interesting findings.Role models (an alternative view): https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-problem-with-role-models/Smoking in popular culture: https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/tobacco-pop-culture/why-smoking-still-being-glamorized-media-and-pop-cultureStudy 1: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380209172_Health_Motivation_in_the_Influencer_Era_Analyzing_Entertainment_Personal_and_Social_Media_Role_ModelsStudy 2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9421350/Study 2 questionnaire: https://redcap.ctsi.psu.edu/surveys/index.php?s=4L973C8FFLThe importance of mentoring: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2352144/Chasing your hero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD2cVhC-63I
  • 129. Race and Racism in Medicine

    15:32||Season 1, Ep. 129
    This is a topic close to my heart and is important to address for patients and medical staff.Race is a sociological construct and differs from ancestry. It has a surprising impact in medicine, both in terms of care and outcomes for patients. In addition racism needs stamping out in the medical profession in all corners.Prostate cancer risk in black men: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9826514/Maternal mortality in black women during and after pregnancy : https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/maternal-mortality-rates-in-the-black-community/#South Asians and type 2 Diabetes: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/node/12895Black people and stroke risk: https://www.healthline.com/health/stroke/why-do-african-americans-have-a-greater-stroke-riskJames Sims: https://www.history.com/news/the-father-of-modern-gynecology-performed-shocking-experiments-on-slavesAbuse during COVID: https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/about/staff-stories/racist-abuse-against-asians-during-the-covid-19-pandemicHead injuries and race in sport: https://apnews.com/article/health-nfl-race-and-ethnicity-sports-066d9fd6bd85f5b5023207467701fde4#Dr Arora and the GMC: https://www.bmj.com/content/379/bmj.o2619Beta Thalassemia: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/beta-thalassemiaTay-Sachs Disease: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tay-sachs-disease/
  • 128. Breathing and Breathwork - how getting the basics right can improve your health and wellbeing

    14:44||Season 1, Ep. 128
    Breathing is a basic function we all need in order to survive but doing it correctly can have benefits to our health and the opposite is true - breathing in a sub-optimal way can pre-dispose to certain illnesses.Mouth breathing - could it predispose to allergies, asthma and impaired immunity?: https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/mouth-breathingNasal breathing benefits: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.00148.2023?utm_source=AJPRegu&utm_medium=PressRelease&utm_campaign=1.17.2024Breathing and stress: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230113/Review-and-meta-analysis-suggests-breathwork-may-be-effective-for-improving-stress-and-mental-health.aspxJamie Clements, breath coach: https://thebreathspace.co.uk/breathe-with-meTest your own breathing: https://www.thebreatheffect.com/test-your-breath/Smoking and breathing techniques: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7064378/#Sleep apnoea awareness: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8718-sleep-apneaTHE HEALTH FIX: https://amzn.eu/d/5D6lJlm