What is Lifestyle Medicine?

Poor diet is a key risk factor associated with many chronic health conditions. Globally, it’s estimated that up to 11 million deaths a year may be associated with unhealthy eating habits – that’s one fifth of all deaths. Put simply: what we eat has the potential to make us sick – but eating healthily also has the potential to make us well. But what is healthy food and drink – and what is unhealthy? Which diets work and which don’t? We can help you find the right diet specifically for you, based on the latest nutritional science.

Lack of physical activity is a significant cause of chronic disease. Inactive lifestyles are also a proven risk factor in a range of chronic health conditions including heart attacks, strokes, type 2 diabetes and depression. Regular exercise can help us live longer, reduce periods of ill health in our lives and increase the all-important “healthspan”. Being active doesn’t have to mean going to the gym. We can work with you to weave physical activity into your daily life to improve your health and achieve your fitness goals.

Sleep is essential for restoring our energy levels and giving our bodies a much-needed rest. Without good quality sleep we can feel pretty rubbish! Adequate sleep is essential for our immune health and can reduce our risk of obesity, diabetes and mental illness. By taking an in-depth look at your individual circumstances, we can help you restore your sleep wake cycle, improve the quality of your sleep, reduce your risk of chronic disease and improve your overall wellbeing.

In many respects, there is no health without mental health. Our lifestyle, as well as genetic, socio-economic and environmental factors, all have an impact on our mental health. What we eat, how active we are, harmful substance reduction, sleep and healthy relationships can all impact on our mental health. Lifestyle Medicine’s approach starts from the principle that the human body and mind are not separate entities. What is good for the body, is good for the mind. We can work with you to reduce stress levels, improve your motivation and reconnect with the world.

The risks associated with harmful and toxic substances – such as alcohol, tobacco or recreational drugs – are well known. Smoking and heavy drinking in particular are key behavioural risk factors associated with many chronic physical and mental health conditions. 7/10 people in professional occupations drink more than the recommended guidance. We take a non-judgemental, supportive and compassionate approach to achieve positive behaviour change and offer real hope to people experiencing difficulties in this area of their lives.

Enjoying healthy and meaningful relationships and better social connection is essential for good mental and physical health. As human beings we are hard wired to connect with each other; we are social beings and our family and community relationships give our lives purpose and meaning. Connecting with others not only helps us to survive but to thrive. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating a link between the quality of our social connections and the risk of conditions such as obesity, heart disease and even some cancers. Our mental health is also closely linked to our relationships with others, and loneliness is a key risk factor for depression. As part of our support, we can evaluate the quantity and quality of your relationships and prioritise those that will benefit your health the most.