Lifestyle Medicine
Statistics show that in the NHS's 70th year, up to 70% of chronic diseases are directly linked to our lifestyle habits. Changing these lifestyle behaviours could prevent or reverse long-term illnesses and promote longer, healthier lives.
Lifestyle medicine is a branch of evidence-based medicine in which lifestyle changes (including nutrition, physical activity, stress management, social support and environmental exposures) are used to prevent, treat and reverse the progression of chronic diseases by addressing their underlying causes.
As a member of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, I aim to educate and empower people with the knowledge that ALL of us can make a difference to our mental and physical health outcomes and environment. By making conscious lifestyle choices and implementing our own bespoke interventions, one small step at a time, our health is in our hands.
How Can I help you with Lifestyle Medicine?
My holistic approach to health and wellbeing would be lacking if I did not help clients to notice and address some of the poor lifestyle choices that they are making which impact on both their mental and physical health. Even neglecting, the basics such as sleep, nutrition and hydration will leave us feeling more drained, stressed out and potentially unwell.
When are struggling with problems and feel down, our self care is often the first thing to go. Many people who come to see me for help and are struggling with their emotional and mental health, are often neglecting to look after themselves properly.
When we feel stressed and overwhelmed our healthy routines can slip away and we may find ourselves, eating more processed foods, craving more sugar and carbs, drinking more alcohol, smoking or vaping more, withdrawing from others and staying up too late or sleeping too much in order to cope.
Benefits of Lifestyle Medicine
● Recognise detrimental lifestyle choices and behaviours
● Identify simple, realistic and achievable changes
● Feel supported to make beneficial lifestyle choices
● Learn more helpful coping strategies
● Improve your wellbeing and your life
Common Concerns
● Anxiety & Panic
● Stress
● Low Mood & Depression
● Relationship Problems
● Separation & Divorce
● Bereavement & Loss
● Miscarriage & Fertility Problems
● Post-Natal Depression
● Confidence & Low Self Esteem
● Bullying & Abuse
How Does Lifestyle Medicine work?
Growing evidence indicates that our positive psychological well-being is associated with reduced risk of physical illness. In general, people who feel satisfied appear to smoke less, exercise more and eat healthier foods. Our mental health does appear to play a part in our physical health and visa versa.
This is why it is crucial that the food we put into our bodies support both our mind and our body. There are links between sleep deprivation and high blood pressure, obesity and poor mental health. Water makes up two thirds of the human body so by just not drinking enough fluids in a day, we can feel dizzy and lightheaded, lacking in energy and irritable.
As well as helping you with your emotional and mental health, I can help you to look at detrimental lifestyle choices that you are making that you may not even be aware of and be empowered to address them. This may help you to improve your overall well being and good health.
Combining Lifestyle Medicine with other therapies
During our initial consultation and within the safe healing space I provide for you, you will feel enabled to tell me what is troubling you. I will be able to gain an understanding of you, any worries and concerns and your experience of life. Together we will decide on the best combination of therapy-healing to suit your individual needs in the time that we have available to us during your sessions.
By integrating my skills and experience in this way I can help you to dissolve old patterns, heal from past losses and trauma, let go of difficult feelings and memories, change self limiting beliefs and thoughts, understand and potentially change poor lifestyle choices to make positive changes to your overall wellbeing and future.
Interested in Lifestyle Medicine & other therapies at A Time For You?
I am an accredited and registered Counsellor & Psychotherapist with the BACP with over 14 years experience of working with individuals, couples and therapeutic groups in a variety of settings.
Counselling is always at the heart of what I do, but by incorporating other treatments and techniques I can offer my own unique combination of therapies to effectively help clients to feel better on all levels.
Tina Deas
A Time For You, Counselling & Reiki Swindon