Purpose

Lifestyle medicine is a branch of medicine that uses evidence-based interventions to prevent, limit, or reverse health problems by improving a patient’s lifestyle rather than using medications or surgical treatment. Six lifestyle areas can be therapeutically used to improve health outcomes: nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, social connection, and avoidance of risky substances.

Lifestyle Medicine is a simple and powerful therapy:

• Nutrition: Choose whole plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
• Sleep: For adults, 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each day is vital for physical and mental health.
• Physical activity: Regular and consistent exercise is essential for optimal health. 
• Stress management: Enhance stress reduction techniques for improved well-being. 
• Substance use: Avoid tobacco, excess alcohol, and other risky substance use. 
• Healthy relationships: Social connectedness is essential for emotional health and a higher quality of life.