Ep. 191: Healthy Travelling
Many Canadians are packing their bags for their annual trip down south to spend the winter months somewhere tropical. Here, Medcan CMO Dr. Peter Nord (pictured above in Ireland with his son) is joined by clinical director of travel medicine, Dr. Aisha Khatib. Learn how you can deal with health issues effectively while abroad, (or even prevent them before you leave). Plus, get tips to zap your jet lag—whether you’re gone for the week or the whole winter.
Ep. 190: The Health Benefits of Adventure
Our host, Shaun Francis, recently spent time in Helena, Montana on an expedition with other business leaders and Veterans. Shaun is the founder of True Patriot Love, one of Canada’s largest charities that supports Canadian military members and their families and the organization behind the trip. Here, he joins fellow expeditioners: True Patriot CEO Nick Booth, True Patriot Love co-founder and former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Erin O’Toole, and Veteran Ryan Hawkyard.
Ep. 161: Can You Breathe Your Way to Better Mental Health?
Can you breathe your way to a better mood and reduced anxiety? This week’s guest says it's possible! Medcan consulting psychologist Dr. Amanda Beaman chats with the medical director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University, Dr. David Spiegel, a physician. Dr. Spiegel’s recent study with podcaster and neuroscientist Andrew Huberman revealed the mental well-being benefits of a kind of breathwork called cyclic sighing.
Ep. 132: Do You Need A Break From Social Media?
“We’re the most connected, and the loneliest generation ever,” says Dr. Jack Muskat, Medcan’s clinical director of psychology, (pictured above) describing the paradox of apps like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook. Inspired by a recent study showing that a one-week break from social media led to significant improvements in well-being, Dr. Muskat leads Eat Move Think producer Jasmine Rach on a social media cleanse of her own. It also features context from the bestselling Johann Hari book on the cognitive effects of social media and technology, Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention and How to Think Deeply Again.
Bonus Episode: 10-Minute Mindfulness Meditation with Dr. Amanda Beaman
In our last episode, How To Practise Mindfulness, Medcan psychologists Dr. Amanda Beaman (pictured above) and Dr. Jack Muskat put mindfulness under the microscope and explored its many benefits.
Here, try it out yourself with a 10-minute guided mindfulness meditation with Dr. Amanda Beaman. Download this episode for easy listening while on a walk, your commute to work, or to otherwise incorporate into your self-care routine.
Ep. 122: How to Practise Mindfulness
Many of us are spending more time on screens. The constant buzz and beeps of phone notifications, increasing work demands—does anyone else feel like the pace of contemporary living is harming attention spans and creating more of a need to engage in mindfulness and meditation practices? Here, Medcan clinical psychologists Dr. Jack Muskat and Dr. Amanda Beaman (pictured above) explore the practice of mindfulness. What is it? How does one do it? And can it help to relieve anxiety and increase our focus?
Ep. 116: Can A Dog Improve My Mental Health?
Dog ownership skyrocketed during the pandemic. Lots of pet owners claim that owning a dog can boost your mental health. But which breeds are best? Dan McCann, of the legendary McCann Dog Training family, joins Medcan mental health clinical lead Samantha Charan to explore the health benefits that can come with owning a dog. They’ll help you figure out if dog ownership is right for you, and unpack the reasons why these furry friends can keep us happier and healthier.
Ep. 111: Move The Body, Heal The Mind with Dr. Jennifer Heisz
You know that exercising is good for your muscles and bones. But exercise can also improve brain health. In her new book, Move The Body, Heal The Mind, Dr. Jennifer Heisz of McMaster University’s NeuroFit Lab shares the latest research about how to use physical activity to optimize mental and cognitive wellness. Here, she speaks with Dr. Andrew Miners, Medcan’s clinical and product director of sports medicine, therapy, rehabilitation and fitness.
Ep. 110: Why Is Finland So Happy? (And What Can We Learn From It?)
For the fifth year in a row Finland has been named the world’s happiest country. Yet the country is darker and colder than Canada. So what are the Finns doing right? Medcan’s Clinical Director of Psychology, Dr. Jack Muskat, investigates with Eat Move Think senior producer Russell Gragg, who recently returned from five weeks of living in Helsinki. Featuring interviews with Finnish culture experts Frank Martela, Katja Pantzar (pictured above) and others.