You read many articles and watch countless videos online where life coaches offer advice on how to fix your life. This might seem like one of those boring articles. Well—I hope not! Maybe just a little … but stick with me.
Today, I want to discuss a relatively new branch of medicine called lifestyle medicine. Lifestyle medicine focuses on everyday practices that can both prevent and cure many chronic illnesses, sparing us from years of physical, mental, social, and financial misery. What if I told you that diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, depression, and anxiety are manageable if you know how to address them? All it requires is the motivation to change and the discipline to stick with it.
The foundation of lifestyle medicine rests on six main pillars: a healthy, balanced diet, regular physical activity, good sleep hygiene, effective stress management, a strong social support system, and avoidance of risky substances. Easy enough, right? Ha! Not really. But more often than not, the good things in life aren’t easy. We have to work for them. And this work doesn’t just involve getting up early or choosing salad over fries—it’s about training your mind to crave what’s best for your body and soul. Staying fit and healthy requires effort.
So, the next time you feel like having a snack, swap the cookies for carrot sticks. Take your dog for a walk; both your dog and your heart will thank you. Get off the train one stop before your station and walk the extra block home. When your brain is overwhelmed by a thousand problems and tasks, tell it to chill out with mindfulness and deep breathing exercises. Stop the non-stop scrolling on your phone and go to bed at a decent hour—you won’t regret it in the morning. Also, talk to your friends and family; learn about their lives and share yours—it really helps. And, last but not least, don’t smoke. It will kill you.
But not everything is doom and gloom. People have been leading healthier lives for ages. The concept of lifestyle medicine dates back to Hippocrates, who advocated for the benefits of a healthy diet, exercise, rest, and overall well-being. Remember, this journey isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Even small changes can lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being. Celebrate each healthy choice, and don’t beat yourself up over the occasional slip. The key is consistency, not perfection. It’s an achievable goal, and from what I’ve observed, once you develop a routine, it truly becomes what the name suggests—a lifestyle. People stick to it because it feels good.
Farees Ahmad Khan, a graduate of Khyber Medical College in Peshawar, Pakistan, is an aspiring psychiatrist with a deep passion for the field. Growing up in a closely-knit family, she is known for her compassion, which is reflected in her patient care. As a good listener, she prioritizes the well-being of her patients. In addition to expanding her knowledge in psychiatry, Farees enjoys immersing herself in fantasy books, finding both inspiration and relaxation in their imaginative stories.
Farees is dedicated to making a positive impact in mental health, both through her clinical work and by sharing her insights with a broader audience. She believes in holistic care and strives to provide compassionate and effective treatment to all her patients.
Sarah Alnaher is a physician.
