We take medicine for everything nowadays; headaches, stomach aches, colds etc. The scientific breakthroughs in medicine are a marvel, helping those who have serious illnesses live a better life. Whether it’s for our children, our parents or those we care for, medicine has changed how we care for others.
But what medicine do you take when you need to support your lifestyle?
Let’s face it, if you’re the caregiver of your family you have a lot on your plate. Whether it’s getting your children to practice or music lessons, taking your aging parents to medical appointments or even just finding time to do chores in between work and life, you put yourself last. All work and no play can lead to physical and mental health issues. There isn’t an over-the-counter pill you can take to give you me-time, but there is Lifestyle medicine.
Just for the Health of It
Putting yourself last can affect your health and how you take care of others. Stress, insomnia and improper diets can lead to other serious issues.
According to the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, 80% of healthcare spending in the U.S. goes towards treating or managing health issues related to poor lifestyle choices. Many health issues, like heart disease, obesity, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and even mental health disorders can be remedied through preventative medicine. As a form of preventative medicine, lifestyle medicine seeks to prescribe behavior changes that reduce unhealthy behaviors and focus on the promotion of positive ones.
Lifestyle medicine is one of the best ways to learn how to balance life and start to live it healthier.
What is Lifestyle Medicine?
Lifestyle medicine doesn’t involve actual medicine in the traditional sense. Instead, it is an evidence-based holistic method of finding out what you can do to start living a healthier life and treat symptoms before they start.
Using the 6 Pillars, lifestyle medicine is an intervention based program that focuses on whole-person changes. Lifestyle medicine at Aaris Therapy is done by certified facilitators and helps give you everything you need to start living better.
The 6 Pillars
Using the 6 Pillars helps with the improvement of neurological decline when life takes over.
Nutrition
Extensive scientific evidence supports the use of a wholefood, predominantly plant-based diet as an important strategy in prevention of chronic disease, treatment of chronic conditions and, in intensive therapeutic doses, reversal of chronic illness. Such a diet is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and nutrient dense. Choose a variety of minimally processed vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.
Sleep
Sleep delays/interruptions have been shown to cause sluggishness, low attention span, decreased sociability, depressed mood, decreased deep sleep, decreased caloric burn during the day, increased hunger and decreased feeling of fullness, insulin resistance and decreased performance. Strive for 7 or more hours per night for optimal health.
Physical Activity
Regular and consistent physical activity combats the negative effects of sedentary behavior. It is important that adults engage in both general physical activity as well as purposeful exercise weekly as part of overall health and resiliency.
Stress Management
Stress can lead to improved health and productivity – or it can lead to anxiety, depression, obesity, immune dysfunction and more. Helping patients recognize negative stress responses, identify coping mechanisms and reduction techniques leads to improved wellbeing.
Positive Social Connections
Positive social connections and relationships affect our physical, mental and emotional health. Leveraging the power of relationships and social networks can help reinforce healthy behaviors.
Avoiding Risky Behaviors and Substances
Use of tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption have been shown to increase the risk of chronic diseases and death. Treatments often take time, different approaches and many attempts. Patience and support are an important part of breaking risky substance habits.
Taking Control of Your Life
Lifestyle medicine may seem daunting at first, especially when you don’t know where or how to start. Luckily, it isn’t something that you need to do on your own. Aaris Therapy offers Lifestyle Workshops.
These 6-week courses are perfect for parents, guardians or any other caregiver who is looking to start caring for themselves as much as they care for others.
If you’re looking for a better way to live your life, contact Aaris today or register for our next workshop.
Aaris Therapy:
(330)-505-1606
scheduling@aaristherapy.com
