133: Running on Transcendental Meditation with Dr. Norman Rosenthal

Written By Kari Gormley

Featured Guest, psychiatrist Norman E. Rosenthal, who coined the term Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), joins Kari to talk about SAD, transcendental meditation, and mindfulness. Runner of the Week, Erica Barton shares how she went from couch potato to marathoner—all while being legally blind. Serena Marie, RD, talks about the benefits potato skins (not the appetizer!). Kari and Serena talk about parsnip chips and kettlebells in this week’s installment of Gratitude Jar.

Pssst! Want to learn how to become luckier and more focused? There’s this little thing called transcendental meditation that might just blow your mind.

It can help you

  • connect your body and mind;

  • build a better brain;

  • be in the zone;

  • accept losses; and

  • so much more!

On the show today, Kari chats with world-renowned psychiatrist, public speaker, and best-selling author Norman E. Rosenthal about Seasonal Affective Disorder, transcendental meditation, and mindfulness. Here are some links to books mentioned during the interview:

Featured Guest: Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal

Norman E. Rosenthal is a world-renowned psychiatrist, public speaker, and best-selling author who is known for his innovative research and inspirational writings. Kari interviews him this week about transcendental meditation, mindfulness, SAD, and much more!

Pleate note: Always consult your physician. The following interview is not intended to replace the advice of your physician or medical care provider.

  • Rosenthal is currently Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine and is listed as one of the best doctors in America.

  • He is a highly cited researcher who has written over 200 scholarly articles, and authored or co-authored eight popular books. These include Winter Blues, the New York Times bestseller Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation, and the Los Angeles Times bestseller The Gift of Adversity.

  • Rosenthal has conducted numerous clinical trials of medications and alternative treatments, such as transcendental meditation for psychiatric disorders, and the treatment of depression with Botox.

  • He is the TRLS June Book Club author, for his book, Super Mind: How to Boost Performance and Live a Richer and Happier Life Through Transcendental Meditation.

  • Rosenthal has SAD himself and talks about his experiences with the disorder. He talks a bit about the signs/symptoms of SAD versus when you have the “winter blues.”

  • When meditating, you get fluxes of alpha waves, especially in the frontal areas of the brain, that are soothing. Rosenthal talks about brain coherence, which means different parts of the brain experience the same wavelengths at the same time. This is associated with the brain collaborating and being more efficient.

  • He explains the difference between mindfulness and medita

  • Kari talks about the “Jon Kabat-Zinn” way of meditation and Deepak Chopra and Oprah’s meditation class.

  • Kari talks about mindfulness stress-based reduction training.

  • Transcendental meditation can help in the following ways: connecting body and mind, building a better brain, being in the zone, having internal growth, asking yourself, “Who do I want to be?”, being engaged with relationships or work, accepting losses, and so on.

  • Rosenthal points out two particular chapters: Meditate and Grow Rich and Meditate and Grow Happy.

  • Kari mentions one story in Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation with Ray Dalio.

  • They discuss sleep and transcendental meditation.

  • He speaks to practicing transcendental meditation and running.

  • During transcendental meditation, according to Rosenthal, the brain delivers you gifts from your subconscious.

  • Rosenthal speaks to how parts of the government/the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are using transcendental meditation.

  • Kari talks about finding her “Cameron Diaz” moment of sorts while recording The Running Lifestyle Camp ad.

The Running Lifestyle Camp

Don’t forget to sign up for The Running Lifestyle Camp (which starts Monday, June 13) where you’ll get the opportunity to ask questions of popular guests such as Serena Marie, RD, sleep doctor, Vinny Kripalu, Joanne Ambrogi, Denny Krahe of Diz Runs (who’s a fast runner and athletic trainer), and more! You’ll also get accountability at Camp to live your North Star and to have the summer you want to have with like-minded people.

Sign up here today or e-mail Kari at Kari@TheRunningLifestyle.com with questions

Runner of the Week: Erica Barton

Erica Barton, an amazing woman who is legally blind (with optic atrophy), went from getting off the couch to being afraid of breaking a treadmill, to running the Seattle Marathon!

Serena Marie, RD

Serena Marie, RD, talks about the nutritional benefits of eating potato skins (no, not the appetizer!).

  • The benefit to eating potato skins is the fiber that they contain. They are mostly a source of insoluble fiber.

  • Serena reviews the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber.

  • She also defines what a “standard American diet” looks like.

  • When transitioning from a standard American diet to a more nutrient-rich diet, many people have issues increasing their fiber intake.

  • As you increase vegetables, steam them or chop them up finely to break down the cellulose/fiber to help digest them with less intolerance.

Gratitude Jar (Woot! Woot!)

Kari is grateful for is a new product at Trader Joe’s called parsnip chips. They are so good that they might be a trigger food, but thankfully they only have a few ingredients!

Serena is grateful for kettlebells. Follow Serena on Periscope @SerenaMarieRD to check them out!

Next week, Kari talks all about the post-race runner's’ high. She interviews several runners after the Race on the Big Day 5K sponsored by Empowered Yoga.

Contact:

Norman Rosenthal:
Website: NormanRosenthal.com
Facebook: /normanrosenthal
Twitter: @DoctorNorman

Erica Barton:
Facebook Page

Serena Marie, RD:
Website: www.SerenaMarieRD.com
Facebook: /SerenaMarieRD
Twitter: @SerenaMarieRD
Instagram: SerenaMarieRD

Kari Gormley:
Facebook: The Running Lifestyle Show
Twitter: @KariGormley
Instagram: @KariGormley

 

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to www.karigormley.com/disclaimer.

Kari Gormley
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