OUR MISSION

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The mission of the Stanford Lifestyle Medicine Program is to conduct research and provide expert guidance in healthy aging and optimal performance to create actionable, reliable, and continuously updated resources that translate evidence-based research into consumable content for all.

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HEALTH IS: NUTRITION EXERCISE SLEEP STRESS MANAGEMENT RELATIONSHIPS PASSION AND PURPOSE COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT

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SEVEN PILLARS OF

LIFESTYLE MEDICINE

We selected our lifestyle medicine pillars according to evidence-based research.  All of our pillars have an impact on long-term physical and mental health and can be broken down into a series of smaller behavioral changes. These pillars are interrelated. Positive behavioral changes in one pillar can motivate behavioral change in another pillar.

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We aim to highlight the most rigorous research in each pillar. We break down the research into meaningful
recommendations for patients and healthcare providers.
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Movement is essential for physical and mental health. Fitness can be fun, and with some creativity, can be integrated into everyday life. Cardiovascular and muscle-strengthening activities help optimize health and longevity.

Nutrition science highlights a large range of dietary habits that can support long-term health. We highlight recommendations from trusted sources to empower individuals to make educated and delicious nutrition decisions.

Sleep is key for full body restoration. Developing a framework to optimize sleep can improve health outcome, intellectual function, and mood. Simple sleep lifestyle modifications can decrease risk for chronic disease.

Stress that continues without relief can upset the body’s equilibrium. Long-term stress can contribute to or worsen chronic disease. Evaluating external stressors and learning stress management techniques can modulate the stress response.

Humans are social beings. We are wired to connect with one another. Social connection can extend to include family, friends, community, or even strangers. Health benefits from social connection extend from longevity to chronic disease prevention.

As our bodies age, our brains age as well. Cognitive enhancement refers to interventions aimed to enhance or preserve our brain’s processing pathways, which naturally degrade over time. In doing so, our memory, concentration, attention, and information processing can be improved.

New research has found that practicing gratitude has significant positive effects on our physical and mental wellbeing, helps you sleep at night, and even bolsters your immune system. An increasing body of research shows that practicing gratitude and reflecting on positive aspects of our lives regularly may increase our life satisfaction and our quality of life.

IN COLLABORATION

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Lifestyle behaviors encompass many elements of a fully-lived life. Healthy behaviors and lifestyle interventions can help individuals and families improve longevity and decrease chronic disease. We collaborate with the Stanford Center on Longevity to redesign an approach to a century-long life that is available to all, independent of background.

Stanford Center on Longevity