Lifestyle Medicine

Whole-person care goes Beyond Medicine™

Small daily choices can lead to better health. AbsoluteCare’s Lifestyle Medicine programs help you eat well, stay active, sleep better, manage stress, and improve your health with support from your care team.

Your Daily Choices Matter

What you do each day can help improve your health. Eating healthy foods, staying active, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and connecting with others can help you manage conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and more.

Lifestyle Medicine focuses on small, healthy habits that are easier to keep doing over time. These habits can build on each other and work alongside your medications and treatment plan to support better health and well-being.

The Lifestyle Medicine Pillars

  • Food and Nutrition

    Learn how food choices can support energy, blood sugar, blood pressure, heart, kidney, and overall health.

  • Physical Activity and Movement

    Find safe and realistic ways to move more that fit your abilities, goals, and daily routine.

  • Sleep and Rest

    Learn how better sleep can support your mood, energy, appetite, blood pressure, and overall health.

  • Stress Management

    Practice simple tools to manage stress and support physical and emotional well-being.

  • Social Connection and Community

    Connect with others who are working toward better health. Learning together can help you feel supported, encouraged, and accountable.

  • Avoid Risky Substances

    Get support to reduce or avoid substances that can harm your health while building healthier routines.

 

🧠 Test Your Knowledge

Think of your answer before you click. Then tap to see how you did!

1. Why are whole grains better than refined grains?
Answer: Whole grains have more fiber and nutrients, which can help support digestion, steady energy, and heart health.
2. Why should I eat more fruits and vegetables?
Answer: They provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and plant compounds that help protect and support your body.
3. Do I need a gym membership to be physically active?
Answer: No. Walking, dancing, gardening, taking the stairs, and playing with children all count as movement.
4. Why is moving my body every day important?
Answer: Regular movement can improve energy, mood, sleep, strength, heart health, and blood sugar control.
5. Why does sleep matter for my health?
Answer: Good sleep helps your brain and body recover, supports immune health, improves mood, and can make healthy choices easier.
6. What is one simple way to sleep better?
Answer: Try keeping a regular bedtime and reducing bright screens, heavy meals, and caffeine close to bedtime.
7. Can a few minutes of stress relief really help?
Answer: Yes. A short walk, slow breathing, prayer, meditation, or a quiet pause can help calm the body’s stress response.
8. Why is smoking or vaping harmful to health?
Answer: Tobacco and nicotine products can harm the heart and lungs, increase disease risk, and make it harder for the body to heal.
9. How do relationships affect health?
Answer: Supportive relationships can reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and help people stay motivated with healthy habits.
10. What is one easy way to strengthen social connection?
Answer: Reach out to someone you care about. Send a message, share a meal, take a walk together, or make time for a conversation.

Lifestyle Medicine Groups: Building Health Through Connection

Social connection plays an important role in health and well-being. Research shows that lacking social connection can affect health in ways comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

At AbsoluteCare, our Lifestyle Medicine groups give members a welcoming space to learn, share, and build healthy habits together. Group support can help you stay encouraged, make healthy choices, take your medicine, and feel your best every day.

Lifestyle Medicine Success Starts with Small Steps

You don’t have to change everything at once. Small changes can lead to big results over time.

Try one small step this week:

  • Add a fruit or vegetable to a meal
  • Take a 10-minute walk
  • Go to bed a little earlier
  • Call a friend or family member
  • Take a few deep breaths when you’re feeling stressed

If you are looking for more information, go to the American College of Lifestyle Medicine patient page for tips on setting health goals, tracking healthy habits, and planning simple meals.

Beyond Medicine™

At AbsoluteCare, we know that lasting health is supported by what happens both inside and outside the exam room.

Lifestyle Medicine helps you build healthy habits that fit your care plan. Through classes, activities, and group support, you can learn new skills, stay motivated, and make small changes that improve your health.

There is no need to be perfect. Your care team is here to support you every step of the way.

Ready to get started? Talk to your care team or join a group today.

How AbsoluteCare Supports You

At AbsoluteCare, we help members make healthy changes that feel realistic, accessible, and manageable. Our team works with you to build small daily habits that support better health and well-being over time.

Talk with your AbsoluteCare team or Member Relations Manager to learn about programs available in your area.

We also host classes, events, and activities throughout the year to help our members build healthy habits and connect with others.

Stay connected with your center to see what’s coming up next.

Have questions? Contact us. We’re always happy to help.