In this episode, we talk about our journey towards improving our podcast audio quality, inspired by a technical glitch from our previous episode. We then dive into the topic of health anxiety, sharing personal definitions and experiences. We discuss how intrusive thoughts about one's health can be overwhelming and how prevalent this issue is today. We highlight the therapeutic benefits of exercise, explaining how physical activity can help manage anxiety by occupying mental bandwidth and providing physical reassurance. We share our personal stories and experiences, including a recent marathon run and how we used fitness to cope with medical treatments and stress. We also touch on the limitations of using Google for self-diagnosis compared to professional medical advice. The conversation includes practical tips for managing health anxiety, like clear communication with healthcare providers and considering professional psychological help when necessary. We wrap up by announcing the topic for our next episode: cancer.

00:00 Introduction and Audio Upgrade

01:01 Discussing Health Anxiety

01:47 Defining Health Anxiety

03:37 Impact of Information Overload

04:41 Role of Medical Profession in Health Anxiety

07:27 Google and Health Anxiety

13:09 Personal Experience with Health Anxiety

13:35 Exercise as a Remedy for Health Anxiety

20:55 Marathon Experience and Pain Reframing

23:11 The Mind Game of Marathon Running

23:53 Fuelling Strategies for Marathon

24:35 Experiencing the Marathon on Mounjaro

24:59 Overcoming the Wall at Mile 18

26:34 The Role of Exercise in Cancer Recovery

27:26 Challenging Health Anxiety with Exercise

28:03 The Reassurance Paradox in Anxiety

37:12 The Impact of Media on Anxiety

38:55 Managing Anxiety with Exercise and Professional Help

40:46 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics