Dr. Wendy Suzuki

Yeah. I mean, it is that everyday stress. It's the anxiety provoked by scary news that we read every single day by social media. And here I'm thinking about younger people, well-known people. how much it damages self-esteem to spend too much time on social media. All these things, we all know these stressors in our lives, but it's actually hard to put the newspaper down.

Yeah. I mean, it is that everyday stress. It's the anxiety provoked by scary news that we read every single day by social media. And here I'm thinking about younger people, well-known people. how much it damages self-esteem to spend too much time on social media. All these things, we all know these stressors in our lives, but it's actually hard to put the newspaper down.

It's really hard to put the phone down. But that could be such a game changer. for both adults and children. And you just ask, well, what am I going to do? Have a conversation with the real person, which is what I always try and push people to do. That is such a joy and a privilege in our lives to be able to do.

It's really hard to put the phone down. But that could be such a game changer. for both adults and children. And you just ask, well, what am I going to do? Have a conversation with the real person, which is what I always try and push people to do. That is such a joy and a privilege in our lives to be able to do.

Yeah, I have a morning routine that I've come to love, which is about a 45-minute meditation when I first wake up. So that's the first thing that I do. And I do a tea meditation, which is meditation over the brewing and drinking of tea. Because not teabag tea, but loose leaf tea, where you have to seep it for a certain amount of time or else it doesn't taste its best.

Yeah, I have a morning routine that I've come to love, which is about a 45-minute meditation when I first wake up. So that's the first thing that I do. And I do a tea meditation, which is meditation over the brewing and drinking of tea. Because not teabag tea, but loose leaf tea, where you have to seep it for a certain amount of time or else it doesn't taste its best.

and then you pour it, and then you drink it, and then you re-seep it. So for me, that ritual really keeps me in meditation. And what do I mean by meditation? I do body scans. I have prayers that I go through every morning, which is, I think, the antithesis of looking at your email. And then I do a 30-minute workout, which is, I do it online. So I do open my computer, but I'm not

and then you pour it, and then you drink it, and then you re-seep it. So for me, that ritual really keeps me in meditation. And what do I mean by meditation? I do body scans. I have prayers that I go through every morning, which is, I think, the antithesis of looking at your email. And then I do a 30-minute workout, which is, I do it online. So I do open my computer, but I'm not

you know, looking at the newspaper at the same time I'm doing my workout. I'm focused on that workout. And that really prepares me for the day. And if I miss either one of those, I feel it the rest of the day.

you know, looking at the newspaper at the same time I'm doing my workout. I'm focused on that workout. And that really prepares me for the day. And if I miss either one of those, I feel it the rest of the day.

I've done the meditation for nine years straight. And I've missed only a few days when I have those 4 a.m. You don't have to get on the cab at 4 a.m., to get to the airport. And exercise I've been doing for even longer. I've gone through lots of habits with my exercise, but having the morning habit and really forcing myself,

I've done the meditation for nine years straight. And I've missed only a few days when I have those 4 a.m. You don't have to get on the cab at 4 a.m., to get to the airport. And exercise I've been doing for even longer. I've gone through lots of habits with my exercise, but having the morning habit and really forcing myself,

not forcing, it's a habit, having the habit of even when I only have five minutes, I'll do some sort of, you know, stretch or something for that five minutes every single day and feel good about that. In addition to my good 30-minute cardio strength workout where I really sweat.

not forcing, it's a habit, having the habit of even when I only have five minutes, I'll do some sort of, you know, stretch or something for that five minutes every single day and feel good about that. In addition to my good 30-minute cardio strength workout where I really sweat.

So, I mean, I think we're both talking about the habits that we choose for ourselves that improve our mental health, strengthen our brain. This is what... It's so important to choose for ourselves.

So, I mean, I think we're both talking about the habits that we choose for ourselves that improve our mental health, strengthen our brain. This is what... It's so important to choose for ourselves.

You know, the science shows that exercise improves your mood. It improves your ability to shift and focus your attention. Long-term, it will improve your memory. And so compared to subjects or, you know, animal subjects that don't do exercise, there is better brain function in those people that are exercising. So yes, the science is behind it. And there's beautiful science in meditation too.

You know, the science shows that exercise improves your mood. It improves your ability to shift and focus your attention. Long-term, it will improve your memory. And so compared to subjects or, you know, animal subjects that don't do exercise, there is better brain function in those people that are exercising. So yes, the science is behind it. And there's beautiful science in meditation too.

showing that there are brain areas that are enhanced in monks, for example. That's going way—I'm never going to be a monk. But the act of meditation is an act of learning how to focus better so that I could focus on your questions and not be distracted by whatever is going on on the outside. I mean, we have a nice, quiet room, but sometimes, you know, I live in New York. We're

showing that there are brain areas that are enhanced in monks, for example. That's going way—I'm never going to be a monk. But the act of meditation is an act of learning how to focus better so that I could focus on your questions and not be distracted by whatever is going on on the outside. I mean, we have a nice, quiet room, but sometimes, you know, I live in New York. We're