I don’t know when it came to my awareness, but the saying “prevention is better than cure” has been a lifelong motto. It influenced my lifestyle and everyday habits. Perhaps it was a natural outcome of being raised by a father who had me reading the ingredients on food labels since I was about eight years old. Maybe it was in my early teens when I first began working out with the popular 80s show:20-minute Workout. I’m not sure, but the various practices began at different stages in my life: prioritizing clean eating, exercising, being mindful of stress (mindfulness and meditation) and getting enough sleep. I literally would get excited at the thought of sleep, as I did a happy dance into my bed at 9:30/10. I had a healthy lifestyle based on conscious efforts and awareness. So I was intrigued when I heard about Lifestyle Medicine.
Albeit, I’ve used various holistic practitioners separate from my general practitioner, from naturopaths to chiropractors to acupuncturists and energy healers. I believe you should see various practitioners – an integrated approach to your health.
Lifestyle medicine is a medical approach that focuses on preventing, managing, and even reversing chronic diseases through evidence-based lifestyle changes. It emphasizes six key pillars:
- Nutrition – Eating a whole-food, plant-predominant diet to support overall health.
- Physical Activity – Engaging in regular exercise to maintain cardiovascular and metabolic health.
- Stress Management – Using techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and therapy to reduce stress-related illnesses.
- Sleep Health – Prioritizing quality sleep to support immune function and mental well-being.
- Social Connections – Maintaining healthy relationships to improve emotional and physical health.
- Avoiding Harmful Substances – Reducing or eliminating tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful substances.
Lifestyle medicine is often used to address conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension by promoting sustainable, long-term health habits rather than relying primarily on medications or surgical interventions. It’s gaining traction as a proactive and holistic approach to healthcare.
I must admit there is one that I need to do better on. No not avoidance of harmful substances – I barely drink alcohol and I’ve never been one for drugs. It’s the social connections. I’ve worked from home for many years and since I’m single and have no kids, my social life isn’t fully stacked. I have some great family and friends with whom I enjoy spending quality time and I should probably do more with them. I will work on that intention consciously. What will you do? It might be a good idea to find a lifestyle doctor.
It’s great to see the evolution of Western medicine.
Side note: I’ve linked a few healthcare practices, to a curated list of potential practitioners Cleanincs.com
