What is Lifestyle Medicine?
Lifestyle Medicine is a multidisciplinary specialty that uses lifestyle intervention as a primary therapeutic modality for treatment and reversal of non-communicable disease. It is based on six pillars: eat more healthily, stay active, sleep better, improve social connections and mental health, and reduce harmful substance use.
Nutrition
Lifestyle Medicine supports people to reduce consumption of ultra-processed foods and the inclusion of more whole foods.
It is implemented through the practice of culinary nutrition education or culinary medicine, which teaches the patient the knowledge and skills required to follow healthier eating patterns that fit their own taste, environment, social status, and culture.
Physical Activity
Regular, consistent physical activity is an important part of overall health and resiliency. Lifestyle Medicine supports people to choose ways in which they could incorporate more physical activity in their lives, in a sustainable way.
Sleep
Sleep is fundamental for physical and mental health. Assessing the quality and duration of the sleep of patients, and helping them find a consistent routine to improve them, is part and parcel of lifestyle medicine.
Stress Management
Managing chronic stress can lessen anxiety, depression and immune dysfunction and leads to improved well-being. Lifestyle Medicine teaches proven techniques to reduce stress, such as mindfulness and positive psychology.
Reduction of Harmful Substances
Lifestyle Medicine supports people to stop smoking, reduce excessive alcohol consumption, and in avoiding other addictive substances and behaviours that might be detrimental to their health and well-being.
Social Connections
Positive social connections, such as connection to family, friends, and community, have beneficial effects on physical, mental and emotional health. Lifestyle Medicine supports people to develop and sustain healthy and meaningful relationships and increase social connection to reduce stress and promote both physical and mental health.