A famous quote says, "health is wealth". This phrase remains valid post-pandemic. In 2020, the entire world shut down due to a virus that caused people to stay in their homes and become less active. According to PWC, Covid-19 exacerbated mental health problems, and today, 15% of the GCC population suffers from mental health challenges.

With life gradually returning to normal, many people prioritize a healthy lifestyle more than ever. In places like Dubai, residents are seen frequently jogging and taking group yoga at Lamer Beach and Jumeirah beach, respectively. From the Dubai fitness challenge with over 1 million participants in 2021 to the Yoga Dubai festival, Sandstorm Marmoun and others, we see health and wellness prioritized and encouraged in the city.

Leveraging podcast for mental health and wellness is essential as it can help one to relax and feel less overwhelmed. Another benefit is that podcasts help to reduce visual fatigue from mental scrolling, thereby creating an audio ecosystem of wellness content. This article details the best health and wellness podcasts in the Middle East that share relatable conversations on diets, physical activity, mental health, and overall quality of life.

Health And Wellness Podcasts To Listen To In The Middle East

The Matrix Green Pill Podcast
In this podcast, you can find episodes that focus on health, diet, exercise, weight loss, nutrition, and many more. An example is a conversation between the host, Namita Thakkar, and Sara Babar, an Integrative Health and Wellness Coach. In this episode, Sara highlighted the importance of food and nutrition and explained how to nurture your body the right way. By combining eating well, moving and sleeping, Sara describes how you can live a healthier and happier life.
In a similar conversation between Hilmarie Hutchison and Cynthia Williams, the Matrix Green Pill Podcast Episode 109 deep-dives into the crucial topic of achieving weight loss in women without negatively affecting their hormone and gut health and the dangers of excessive exercise. By highlighting widespread falsehoods about diet and exercise, Cynthia, an Integrative Nutritional Practitioner specialising in women's hormone and gut health, shares helpful advice on how women can achieve their body goals.

Middle East Eating Disorders Association Podcast
This podcast was created by the Middle East Eating Disorders Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing attention to and education about eating disorders in the region. In one of their episodes with Nadia Al Sayed, women's mental health was dissected. Nadia Al-Sayed is a cultural consultant and British-Kuwaiti-Palestinian anthropologist, and in the episode, she discusses body dysmorphia and toxic misconceptions about health and beauty.

ABTalks
This is another podcast for mental health you should listen to. The various episodes address a range of topics around inclusivity, feminism, and mental health. Hosted by Anas Bukhash alongside over 150+ guests to date, you can find educative episodes with exciting guests from diverse fields, backgrounds and nationalities. Here, they share how they deal with life expectations and the challenges they face that impact their mental health.


B For Better Health
B for Better Health is a podcast about nutrition and better health. Through these episodes, like episode 162, you can learn from a conversation with three dietitians talking about all things, from the need for connectedness to views on nutrition. Baraa, the podcast host, is an expert in the field of nutrition and fitness, having worked as a registered dietitian, a sports nutritionist, and a personal trainer. She developed this podcast to share more insider information from professionals all around the world.

Takeaways
Undoubtedly, it may be challenging to find suitable podcasts that discuss key themes around fitness, nutrition and mental health. We have compiled some of the best health and fitness podcasts to help you nourish your body and soul. This way, you can gain direct access to psychologists, dieticians, nutrition experts, wellness coaches, fitness trainers and many more – all from the comfort of your homes.