Five Questions with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee
by Veronica Joce
At Intelligent Change, we believe in the power of simple practices to transform lives. That’s why we teamed up with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, the brilliant mind behind "Feel Better, Live More," to create The Three Question Journal. This transformative journaling experience is designed to reshape your daily life through simple, powerful questions based on 20 years of his clinical practice.
In a world that never seems to slow down, finding moments of calm and clarity can feel like a luxury. Yet, Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, a pioneer in the field of holistic health, shows us that it's not only possible but essential. From the power of daily solitude to the transformative effects of prioritizing sleep, Dr. Chatterjee’s approach to well-being is all about integrating simple, mindful practices into our busy lives. In this quick Q&A, he shares his top tips for staying grounded and intentional amidst the busyness of everyday life.
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Veronica: In your opinion, what are the key pillars of well-being?
Rangan: In my opinion, the four pillars of health and well-being are food, movement, sleep, and relaxation. These are the four pillars that have the most impact on our short-term and long-term health AND they are the pillars that we have a high degree of control over.
Rangan: Honestly, it is really hard to choose one. But, if I had to, I would say a daily form of solitude is essential. In fact, I would say that this practice is the most important ones for most people. Without daily solitude, you aren’t able to step outside your life in order to reflect on your life. Solitude allows you to gain perspective on your life and allows you to make better decisions.
One of my favourite ways to practice solitude each day is by writing in The Three Question Journal.
Veronica: Is there a specific quote, words, or piece of advice that you live by?Rangan: "Be the change you want to see in the world." I love this phrase. Far too often, we are focussed on things and events outside of our control. But, this phrase puts the agency in your own hands. If I want a kinder world, I can practice kindness each day and this will ripple out to those around me. That, in turn, makes those people more likely to practice kindness, which, then, ripples out to their own communities.
One small, positive change can ripple outwards and change the world!
Veronica: How do you stay calm and grounded in the busyness of everyday life?Rangan: I write in The Three Question Journal each day. It grounds me and helps provide clarity on what is really important.
If we take the morning questions as an example, starting each day with gratitude helps me focus my attention on what I have instead of what I lack, and helps counteract the mind’s natural tendency towards negativity. Writing down the most important thing I have to do each day helps me make a decision on what is truly important in life. And, asking myself about the quality I want to showcase to the world, helps me be more intentional about the behaviours I wish to engage with.
"I genuinely think I would be a very different person if I did not write in this journal every day. It has made me much more intentional about I live my life."
Veronica: What is one habit that really made a difference in your life? How did it change your perspective or lifestyle?
Rangan: Prioritising sleep. For many years now, I have realised that everything in life is better when I sleep well: my mood, my relationships, and my work. So, therefore, I am pretty diligent about having a proper one-two hour ‘wind down’ before bed. I will shut my laptop, switch my smartphone off and try to do relaxing activities like reading, having a bath, or breathing exercises.