One scroll is a funny dog video. The next one’s something you can’t unsee. If your social media feed has felt like an emotional minefield lately, you’re not imagining it—and the science says your brain is paying the price.

In this bonus episode of The Healthy Life Approach Podcast, certified brain health coach Kristen Beasley breaks down the latest research on what short-form video (TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts) is doing to your brain, including a massive 2025 meta-analysis of nearly 100,000 people published in Psychological Bulletin. She covers why this is especially concerning for women in perimenopause and menopause, and shares 5 practical strategies you can start using tonight to protect your brain health without quitting social media.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How short-form video hijacks your dopamine system and creates addictive scroll loops

• What the largest study ever conducted on this topic found about attention, impulse control, and working memory

• Why “brain rot” was named Oxford’s Word of the Year—and the real science behind the slang

• How emotional whiplash from graphic content impacts your hippocampus and memory

• The connection between short-form video, ADHD symptoms, and menopause

• 5 strategies to take back control of your feed and your focus

#brainhealth #brainrot #socialmediaeffects #shortformvideo #dopamine #reels #tiktokbrain #scrolling #menopause #perimenopause #brainfog #ADHD #attentionspan #mentalhealth #womenover40 #hormonalhealth #brainwash #danielamen #healthcoach #healthylifeapproach #podcast #bonusepisode

Research cited in this episode:

• Nguyen et al. (2025). “Feeds, Feelings, and Focus.” Psychological Bulletin. 98,299 participants across 71 studies.

• Gao et al. (2025). NeuroImage. Structural brain changes in heavy short-form video users.

• Oxford University Press (2024). “Brain Rot” — Word of the Year.

• Jiang & Ma (2024). Brief TikTok exposure reduces analytic thinking. • ADDitude Magazine. 94% of women with ADHD report that menopause worsens symptoms.

• Mark et al. (2008). UC Irvine. 23 minutes to refocus after a context switch.

Resources mentioned:

• Pomodoro Timer: https://amzn.to/4tGGYAG

• Change Your Brain Every Day by Dr. Daniel Amen: https://amzn.to/40hRbpP

• Brain Wash by Dr. Austin Perlmutter & Dr. David Perlmutter: https://amzn.to/4kFJq6m

🎙️ Subscribe to The Healthy Life Approach Podcast for weekly episodes on brain health, hormones, and becoming the CEO of your own health.

Connect with Kristen:

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS: https://healthylifeapproach.com/why-your-feed-feels-like-a-minefield-right-now-and-what-its-doing-to-your-brain/

🏥 Website: healthylifeapproach.com

📱 Instagram: @kristenjbeasley

• Free Download: https://healthy-life-approach-llc-2.kit.com/7ef2ce821a

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed medical professional. The information shared in this episode is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified health provider.

Health tracking can be empowering — until it becomes a cage. When does measuring your health cross the line from helpful to harmful? In this episode of The Healthy Life Approach, Kristen Beasley gets vulnerable about her experience with a health-tracking obsession. After watching her father’s decline from Lewy Body Dementia, she spent three years wearing a continuous glucose monitor — and the data that once empowered her slowly took over her life. She shares how she broke free and found a healthier relationship with her numbers. This is the Know Your Numbers pillar of the Build Your Base framework: Measure Your Progress — without losing your joy.

⚠️ Important: This episode is about consumer wellness devices (Oura Ring, Fitbit, Apple Watch, CGMs). If your doctor has prescribed a monitoring device for a medical condition, that’s different — those decisions should be made with your care team.

⭐ What you’ll learn:

• How health tracking shifted from empowerment to obsession

• The mantra: “Data fuels, obsession fools”

• Signs your tracking relationship has become unhealthy

• How to use data as a tool, not a tyrant

• When to step back and trust your body’s signals

• A practical framework for balanced health measurement

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS: Show Notes

🏥 Website: healthylifeapproach.com

📱 Instagram: @kristenjbeasley

00:00 The Day I Removed My CGM

00:14 Introduction to the Healthy Life Approach Podcast

00:32 The Impact of Measurement on My Life

03:07 The Turning Point: Removing the CGM

04:26 Learning to Trust Myself Again

05:52 Balancing Data and Personal Experience

12:20 Functional Markers for Health

17:53 The Zoom Out Approach to Measurement

21:03 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Topics

Not medical advice. For educational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions or before making any changes to your diet/lifestyle. This podcast and the show notes may include affiliate links. If you purchase through those links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support the show. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Debunking the 10,000 Steps Myth: Evidence-Based Movement for Brain and Body Health

Show notes and links available at: https://healthylifeapproach.com/daily-movement-for-brain-health-why-7000-steps-beat-the-10000-step-myth/

Welcome to the Healthy Life Approach podcast with Kristen Beasley, a certified functional medicine, nutrition, and brain health coach. This episode explores the origins and reality of the widely accepted 10,000 steps goal. Kristen examines research showing that 7,000 steps per day can provide significant health benefits, including lower risks of death, dementia, heart disease, and depression. Additionally, the episode delves into the importance of balance, mobility, and grip strength as indicators of overall health. Kristen also offers alternative movement strategies for those with diverse abilities, emphasizing that consistent, accessible movement is key to brain and body health. Tune in for actionable tips and evidence-based insights to make daily movement easier and more inclusive.

00:00 Welcome to the Healthy Life Approach Podcast

00:26 Debunking the 10,000 Steps Myth

02:09 Research-Based Movement Goals

06:04 The Importance of Balance

09:23 The Sitting Rising Test: A Simple Fitness Challenge

16:56 Strength Training for Brain Health

19:12 Grip Strength: A Surprising Health Indicator

25:35 Inclusive Movement for All Abilities

30:09 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

Show notes and links:

https://healthylifeapproach.com/blood-sugar-and-brain-health-what-every-woman-over-40-should-know/

In this episode of the Healthy Life Approach Podcast, host Kristen Beasley, a certified functional medicine, nutrition, and brain health coach, delves into the critical relationship between metabolic health and brain function. Kristen emphasizes the importance of metabolic health on memory, mood, energy, and cognitive abilities. Sponsored by Fullscript, she highlights the challenges in the supplement industry and the importance of practitioner-grade supplements. Kristen explains the concept of 'Type 3 diabetes,' relating Alzheimer's to insulin resistance, and provides practical nutrition advice. Key topics include the importance of protein, fiber, and phytonutrients; strategies for maintaining stable blood sugar; understanding relevant lab markers; and the potential benefits of continuous glucose monitoring. Kristen also shares her personal journey in improving metabolic health and offers actionable steps for listeners. Tune in to learn how consistent small habits can significantly impact your brain health.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:23 Sponsor Message: Full Script

01:58 Understanding Metabolic Health and Brain Function

07:16 The Importance of Protein for Women

11:57 Fiber and Phytonutrients: Supporting Metabolic Health

17:59 Lab Markers and Testing for Metabolic Health

26:03 Practical Strategies for Better Metabolic Health

29:25 Conclusion and Next Steps

The 3-Phase Framework for a Sharper Brain After 40—Build Your Base, Know Your Numbers, Own Your Outcomes. A Brain Health Framework for Sharper Memory and Better Focus. In this episode of the Healthy Life Approach Podcast, certified functional medicine, nutrition, and brain health coach Kristen Beasley introduces the six pillars of brain health: physical exercise, food and nutrition, metabolic health, sleep and relaxation, mental fitness, and social engagement. Kristen outlines her approach in three phases: Build Your Base, Know Your Numbers, and Own Your Outcomes. She provides actionable tips on improving sleep, metabolic health, and movement, while stressing the importance of tracking progress without obsessing. Sarah, a 51-year-old perimenopausal woman, illustrates how these phases can enhance brain function and overall health. Tune in for practical strategies and insights on taking charge of your brain health journey. Don't miss next week's episode about REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, practical sleep strategies, and more. Show notes and links: https://healthylifeapproach.com/episode-2-brain-fog-in-perimenopause-build-your-base-know-your-numbers-own-your-outcomes.

00:00 Welcome to the Healthy Life Approach Podcast

00:21 The Importance of Quality Supplements

01:34 Understanding Healthcare Dismissal

03:26 Introducing the Brain Health Framework

05:17 Phase One: Build Your Base

12:54 Phase Two: Know Your Numbers

17:10 Phase Three: Own Your Outcomes

21:11 Sarah's Journey: A Practical Example

24:41 Your Weekly Action Plan

25:30 Upcoming Episodes and Final Thoughts

Understanding Menopause: Brain Health, Hormone Therapy, and Real Stories Join Kristen Beasley, a certified functional medicine, nutrition, and brain health coach, on the Healthy Life Approach Podcast as she dives into the often overlooked impact of menopause on the brain. She shares both her personal experiences with brain fog and hormone imbalances and the latest scientific findings on hormone therapy. Learn about the relative and absolute risks of hormone therapy, its effects on conditions like dementia and joint pain, and how to navigate discussions with your healthcare provider. Kristen aims to empower women with the knowledge to make informed choices for their health, provide actionable advice, and offer a free guide to beating brain fog.

Blog Post with links to studies and experts

Show Sponsor (affiliate link): Function Health

The Brain Fog Solution Free eBook

Dr. Mary Claire Haver's Menopause Empowerment Guide

The Menopause Brain (Amazon affiliate link)

The XX Brain (Amazon affiliate link)

The New Menopause (Amazon affiliate link)

Estrogen Matters (Amazon affiliate link)

00:00 Welcome to the Healthy Life Approach Podcast

00:54 Personal Story: Brain Fog and Perimenopause

02:12 Understanding Hormone Therapy Risks and Benefits

04:20 The Impact of Hormone Therapy on Breast Cancer Risk

05:08 Absolute vs. Relative Risk: Decoding the WHI Study

08:14 The Timing Hypothesis: When to Start Hormone Therapy

10:26 Menopause and Brain Health: The Estrogen Connection

12:06 Personal Journey: Hormone Therapy and Its Effects

16:55 Menopause and ADHD: A Double Challenge

18:52 Empowering Women: Making Informed Health Decisions

22:24 Conclusion and Free Guide Offer

Empowering Your Health: The Healthy Life Approach

In this introductory episode of the Healthy Life Approach Podcast, host Kristen Beasley shares her personal journey that led her to become a certified functional medicine, nutrition, and brain health coach. Kristen discusses her experiences with medical professionals and her decision to take control of her health by asking questions and tracking her data. She emphasizes the importance of being an active participant in one's healthcare, particularly for women in perimenopause and post-menopause. Kristen aims to equip listeners with evidence-based strategies to optimize their cognitive health and invites them to subscribe to weekly episodes.

00:00 Introduction to the Healthy Life Approach Podcast

00:06 A Personal Health Journey

00:21 Family Health Struggles

00:53 A New Approach to Health

00:59 Empowering Your Health Journey

01:32 Stay Tuned for More