LifeStyle Medicine - THE JOLLY HEART

What is lifestyle medicine?

Lifestyle medicine is a medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions as a primary modality to treat chronic conditions including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Lifestyle medicine certified clinicians are trained to apply evidence-based, whole-person, prescriptive lifestyle change to treat and, when used intensively, often reverse such conditions. Applying the six pillars of lifestyle medicine—a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connections—also provides effective prevention for these conditions.

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) is the medical professional society for physicians and other professionals dedicated to clinical and worksite practice of lifestyle medicine as the foundation of a transformed and sustainable health care system.

6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine:

Nutrition

Evidence supports the use of a whole food, plant-predominant diet to prevent, treat and reverse chronic illness.

Physical Activity

Regular, consistent physical activity is an important part of overall health and resiliency.

Stress Management

Managing negative stress can lessen anxiety, depression and immune dysfunction and leads to improved well-being.

Restorative Sleep

Improving sleep quality can improve attention span, mood, insulin resistance and can reduce hunger, sluggishness and more.

Social Connection

Positive social connections have beneficial effects on physical, mental and emotional health.

Avoidance of Risky Substances

Use of tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption have been shown to increase risk of chronic diseases and death.