Lifestyle Medicine
- lucia
- Nov 8, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: May 9, 2022
Yes, I started this post with a definition because I like fancy words and a little scientific formulation. Let's translate it.
Lifestyle Medicine is a medical discipline focused on a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of sickness and chronic diseases, either physical or psychical. This idea of prevention is the lifestyle itself.
What is unique about this concept is the way of addressing the root cause of disease rather than its symptoms, which are too often treated with ever-increasing doses of medications and procedures, sometimes not even necessary. Through Lifestyle Medicine we can change the path of spiraling health since the disease we suffer from the most, such as cardiovascular problems, cancer, mental illnesses, etc., are heavily impacted by the way we treat ourselves.
According to the World Health Organization, nutrition and lifestyle changes can prevent 80 % of the total of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, as well as 40 % of cancer. It is important to realize those are usually the results of years-long health distracting habits, poor diet, frequent use of substances demolishing the health and well being, and body traumatizing behavior. That is what I refer to as an area of high-end Lifestyle Medicine in the professional field. The important message here is we already have this immense power to impact our future. The idea stays the same for everyone - it is crucial to prevent minor struggles we get to encounter while non-prioritizing self-care and overlooking the needs we behold. Simply because they lead to bigger problems if stayed unresolved and none of us want to live lack of energy, vitamin deficiencies, unbalanced nutritional intake, migraines, poor gut health, digestion issues, low self-esteem... you name it.
Where does that energy need to be effectively put? Right here.
These are 6 significant aspects of our lives heavily impacting our health, the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine:
1 Nutrition
2 Exercise
3 Stress
4 Substance abuse
5 Sleep
6 Relationships
It is important to realize that each of these effects is progressively impacting each other. Once our diet is better our bodies flourish and it becomes easier to exercise - we are energized and well fueled. Moving our bodies improves our circulatory system, hormone balance, the quality of sleep. Being well-rested and having balanced physical health makes bearing the stress easier and sets of great conditions for striving psychically. We are overall more satisfied, calm and it is much easier to build valuable relationships at this point... you get the idea.
It makes perfect sense, right? Not only do we feel better, but our bodies are also grateful, our thoughts are rewarding, our environment sees and feels the shift. I mean, you want this, don't you?
I believe that the most effective way to do so is through building sustainable habits fueled by motivation. There are a lot of sources of stimuli, from the future visions of yourself, someone you admire, or prompting ideas and thoughts. For me, motivation comes along with knowledge. The more I know, the more likely I am to stick to whatever I want to gain, seeing that the effort is valid and worthy. Making even just a little change here brings outstanding results pushing you forward to reaching your next goal.
Looking at all of this you may be thinking that is a lot to work on. The answer is yes and no. Just think about this: there is no need for perfection here, there is no such a thing. What we seek is space for the understanding of balance, self-acknowledgment, and appreciation. There is desire and an intention of progress. And there is YOU and your approach, all together building up the way towards resulting whatever struggle or working towards advancement. Once you get here, to grasping the mindset, you are on an ideal track towards well being and health you deserve.
It all starts with an effort to fulfill all that potential we hide within our bodies and minds.
So Let's Talk about it.
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