By Sara
Lifestyle changes are a term heard frequently at the doctor’s office. How often is how to start explained to us as patients? Or even an overview of what lifestyle changes entail?
While out walking my dogs a few years ago, earbuds in place, listening to a podcast, I was struck by the message. I was newly vegan and anxiously soaking up information regarding plant-based diets. There was a quote that went something like this: “A prescription will never be able to overcome an unhealthy lifestyle”. Mind. Blown.
To clarify– in that particular podcast, they were discussing that it is possible to have a diet so nutrient-poor that statins, anti-hypertensives, and other meds don’t stand a chance. However, I understood that it went so much further than that.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not against using medications, especially to treat an acute or chronic illness. Prescriptions have their place in evidence-based practice. But what if it is possible to repair your body without the use of pills? What are you willing to do to avoid the use of drugs?
Today we are looking at the importance of lifestyle changes as an adjunct to medications (when they are needed).
“A prescription will never be able to overcome an unhealthy lifestyle” –Plant Strong Podcast
Should you consider making some lifestyle changes?
As the pace at which we live has accelerated, we frequently want a rapid fix, often in the form of another pill to swallow. But does this cocktail of pharmaceuticals have repercussions?
Ask yourself if you’ve ever taken a second to stop and consider that the lifestyle choices you make every day have the largest overall impact on your health?
Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment after being told you needed to “make some lifestyle changes” and not knowing what this even means for you, let alone where to start? You are not alone my friend.
What are Lifestyle Changes?
The main lifestyle changes are:
- Diet
- Exercise
- Receiving social support
- Improving sleep quality and/or quantity
- And reducing stress.
Simply put: eat better, move more, love more, sleep better, stress less.
How should I incorporate Lifestyle Changes?
Lifestyle changes don’t have to be done all at once. In fact, I’d recommend making one change that you can sustain at a time. Add other changes only once the former has become a lifestyle habit.
This process takes time, yes. However, most disease processes don’t appear overnight. Likewise, nor do the benefits of lifestyle change occur rapidly.
Therefore, while it may seem overwhelming initially, this gets easier with consistent practice. The end result: these new habits add up to massively effective changes.
I want to empower you to think of lifestyle changes as a treatment that you can do as an adjunct to your current medications. Lifestyle changes may be able to help you reduce your medication burden. As an added bonus, they may put some chronic health conditions into remission.
For example, lifestyle changes are a powerful “prescription”. Of them, dietary change may be one of the most effective. Adopting a healthy vegan diet (or a whole-food, plant-based diet is another term often used) can give you so much return on your investment of time.
So stop collecting those prescription meds like the loser in a game of “Go Fish” and start living a more vibrant life!
Imagine living in a world where it’s not the norm to be on a handful of drugs by the time you turn 50. Where you can have the energy to tackle daily chores in addition to the activities you enjoy.
Wouldn’t that be grand? If you’re at all like me and hope to realize these goals in your life, just know it’s never too early to start. You’ll never regret eating better and exercising daily, loving those who love you, getting quality sleep each night, or reducing your stress levels.
What could you accomplish with lifestyle changes? The possibilities are endless, and I’m hopeful you’ll feel a spark of inspiration and consider giving it a try. You have nothing to lose, and the only side effects are the possibility of living a more healthful life.
Want more direction?
If you are ready to jump all in with lifestyle changes, please follow me on Instagram. You can send me a DM or email, and I’d be happy to give guidance to help you get started and meet you where you are.
