What Is Lifestyle Medicine?
“We are in the midst of a patient-led medical revolution, patients wanting to take control of their health, and lifestyle medicine is at the forefront. ”
Lifestyle medicine looks at how changes to our daily habits can improve our health. Recent research suggests that lifestyle medicine can effectively reduce symptoms and prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity by incorporating evidence-based approaches to healthy living.
Interventions include but are not limited to physical activity and movement, healthful nutrition, sleep hygiene, positive social interactions, a sense of purpose and meaning in life, and spending time in nature.
The goal of lifestyle medicine is to empower individuals, where possible, to take control of their health and well-being by making improved and sustainable choices about their lifestyle. Studies have shown that when doctors are involved in lifestyle change interventions, patients are more successful in making long-term behavior changes.
Healthcare providers can play a vital role in helping patients make lifestyle changes, as they can provide expert advice and support during the process. In addition, they can provide education, resources and counseling roles that can facilitate the adoption of healthy habits. With their comprehensive knowledge and expertise in this area, they play an integral role in helping patients achieve lasting lifestyle change.
“Studies have shown that when doctors are involved in lifestyle change interventions, patients are more successful in making long-term behavior changes.”
Through the use of proven strategies, such as education, motivation, and goal setting, healthcare providers can create individualized treatment plans for patients striving for improved health outcomes.
It is clear lifestyle medicine has wide-reaching benefits for patients of all ages. It can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve functional capacity and psychological health, and improve quality of life. The applicability and safety of lifestyle medicine make it an excellent choice for various medical conditions. Patients are encouraged to consider this approach as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Small changes add up to significant differences - if you want to sustain lifestyle change, start small and stay consistent.
RELATED: Why Prescribe Lifestyle?
Dr. Sayess believes it is crucial to offer personalized lifestyle prescriptions to her patients and does so through her private telehealth practice, which serves patients located in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont.
Dr. Sayess became a Lifestyle Medicine Board Certified physician in 2018. To achieve that, she needed to meet rigorous education and practice requirements, as set by the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine standards in 2017, and passed a certification exam.
Reference: https://ablm.org/how/
Find out more about the services offered by Dr. Polina Sayess
