Lifestyle & Integrative Medicine
Many chronic illnesses and conditions are rooted in poor lifestyle choices. Research proves it’s never too late to make a change!
Behavioral Modifications Can Prevent and Mitigate Chronic Diseases
For those facing chronic diseases and conditions, conventional medicine is often not enough. Both Lifestyle and Integrative Medicine focus on treating the root causes of a disease as well as its symptoms – with slightly different methods. Having been trained and certified as both a Lifestyle Medicine Coach and an Integrative Medicine Coach, I have come to appreciate the benefits and similarities that each approach offers my clients.
According to the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, more than 80% of all chronic conditions can be minimized, moderated, and, in many cases, even reversed using lifestyle medicine protocols. Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based, patient-centered, personalized approach to preventing, treating and, often, reversing diseases by replacing unhealthy behaviors with positive ones. It includes the use of a whole food, plant-strong diet, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive social connections – as well as the avoidance of risky substances.
Integrative Medicine predates Lifestyle Medicine yet shares its perspective – while stressing the impact of the mind-body-spirit connection and the benefits of holistic and alternative treatments and practices. Integrative medicine might include yoga, acupuncture, massage, meditation/mindfulness, chi gong, supplements, aromatherapy, and many, many other therapies and modalities – while still appreciating, as does Lifestyle Medicine, the benefits of conventional medicine.
These are just some of the lifestyle areas I focus on in my practice:
Resiliency and Immunity are always key focus areas for longevity – aging with grace and joy. Resiliency, in this context, means an ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change; it’s flexibility. Immunity builds protection, invulnerability, resistance and freedom. Positive Psychology, one of the philosophies underlying H&W coaching, helps us build those into our lives. And Lifestyle & Integrative Medicine shine lights on critical areas that make it easier for us to achieve that goal by embracing a plant-strong diet, regular exercise, good sleep, detoxed personal environment, stress reduction, brain training, mindful awareness, and finding joy. I live this every day and welcome you to share the journey with me.
The CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a research-based package focusing on healthy eating and physical activity. It has demonstrated that people with prediabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle change program can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% (71% for people over 60 years old). I am part of a small American College of Lifestyle Medicine team of coaches who are creating an alternative track for the CDC DPP that focuses on a plant-forward diet and evidence-based coach support.
Learn how to shift your mind-set for more effective weight-loss. It’s an inside out approach. It’s building lots of small, healthy habits that are fun. A fresh look at rewards and punishments translates into practicing self-care. Breathe! It can help set your intentions and lower your stress levels. Focus on what is possible and forget the good foods/bad foods concept. It works. I know; I’ve done it.
There are lots of ways to relieve stress – try several until you identify a couple that really resonate with you and being to integrate them into your life: Meditating (a subset of mindful awareness), listening to music, taking a short nap, playing with a pet, walking in nature (forest bathing), exercising, sleeping better and longer, taking more vacations, …..
This is a program that touches on the many aspects of healthy living – revising your diet, managing your sleep, exercising, cleaning out your pantry, inventorying your personal care and cleaning products, embracing mindfulness, and more. Inherent in the process is habit-building – lots of small changes that add up to a healthier you.