Today’s post features a few key takeaways from a recent Wellness Your Way podcast interview.  Find the full episode here and be sure to subscribe to Wellness Your Way so you don’t miss future episodes!

Guest Bio: Dr. Thomas Hemingway

Dr. Thomas Hemingway M.D. graduated from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in 2002 with a Doctor of Medicine Degree and then completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2006. He received his Board Certification in Emergency Medicine from the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) in 2007. Dr. Hemingway has special interests in holistic health and wellness, preventative medicine, and nutrition. He believes health and wellness are both possible and sustainable through simple strategies that address the root cause of health challenges. Dr. Hemingway’s mission is to help you UP-LEVEL YOUR HEALTH and FEEL MORE ALIVE than ever before!

Top Insights from Dr. Thomas Hemingway’s Interview

1. Having a mission will override any temptation. When you have a strong why to be healthy, temptation becomes less of a thing. It’s important to think about what you want for your life and the impact you want to have.
2. Being healthy is not about deprivation. Instead, we should aim to be mindful of eating and all of the things we do to be well. Life is meant to be enjoyed.
3. Paying attention to gut health is important. Gut bacteria can be your friend or foe. The Vagus nerve connects the brain to the gut. Bacteria in the gut will send signals to tell you what to eat which causes cravings. If you can learn to optimize gut health, these bacteria will also work to help optimize your health.
4. There are 3 things you should focus on avoiding for optimal health. 1) Highly processed sugars – including high fructose corn syrup and agave. 2) Highly processed grains and flours – most grains in the US are lower quality 3) Seed Oils – these oils are industrial and highly processed.
5. Chronic illness is correlated to the number of hours you sit per day. The more you sit per day the higher risk you are for chronic illness. Any movement you do is paramount. Try a standing desk or bodyweight exercise.
6. Prioritizing sleep is important for the glymphatic system. This system helps to flush toxins from the brain. If toxins aren’t flushed out you can be at increased risk of chronic inflammation, depressive symptoms, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.
7. Stress affects every aspect of your body. We can’t avoid stress, but studies show that even if you’re under high stress and believe it to be beneficial, the health outcomes are positive. What you believe and think about what happens to you truly matters.
8. Connection trumps everything. A sense of community and connection is vital for health. Dr. Hemingway believes connection may be the biggest needle mover in wellness.

Want to hear the full episode, including why paying attention to gut health is important, hacks to help prioritize movement, why it’s critical to prioritize sleep, and so much more?

Head over here to catch the full episode with Dr. Thomas Hemingway!

Now it’s your turn!  What is one thing you learned from this interview?

️ Want to hear about this topic in audio format? → Check out the podcast episode here!