Introducing Lifestyle Medicine Fundamentals: Short, self-paced, practical—and free for ACLM members. Learn More + Enroll

Take an active role in your health

Small changes. Real results. Better health.

Lifestyle medicine uses proven, everyday habits to help treat, reverse, and prevent chronic disease.

By focusing on the foundations of health, like nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management, you and your clinician can work together to address the root causes of illness. The goal is better health, fewer medications when possible, and changes you can sustain for life.

What is lifestyle medicine?

Lifestyle medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on addressing the root causes of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. It is practiced by trained healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, dietitians, and health coaches, who help you build healthier habits that last.

During a visit, your provider partners with you to make realistic, sustainable changes across six key areas of health: optimal nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, connectedness, and risky substance avoidance.

The goal is to support healing, improve quality of life, and, when appropriate, reduce reliance on medications.

Optimal Nutrition

Eat more whole foods and focus on minimally processed, plant-predominant, nutrient-dense meals and snacks.

physical activity

Move every day and incorporate strength, flexibility, and aerobic activities into your routine.

stress management

Develop healthy coping skills to meet the ever-changing demands of life and bolster resilience.

Restorative sleep

Create the right conditions to get 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night to allow the body to reset and recover.

connectedness

Foster supportive relationships and build connections that bring meaning and purpose to life.

Risky Substance Avoidance

Avoid behaviors that include the consumption of or exposure to harmful substances

Why lifestyle medicine matters for patients

Benefits beyond the clinic

Whether you’re managing a condition like diabetes or simply trying to feel healthier, lifestyle medicine supports your overall well-being. It can help your body respond better to treatment today and may reduce the need for additional treatment in the future.

Works alongside your care

Patients who include lifestyle medicine as part of their care often see meaningful improvements, such as healthier weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. These changes can strengthen the impact of other treatments you may be receiving.

Results that last

The habits you build through lifestyle medicine extend far beyond a single appointment. Each nutritious meal, restful night of sleep, and moment of movement adds up. Over time, these daily choices can lead to lasting improvements in health and quality of life.

Ready to get started?

Wherever you are on your health journey, that’s okay. Even small steps can help you feel better, build healthier habits, and start meaningful conversations with your clinician.

Take a moment to reflect:

  • I believe things like what I eat, how much I move, how I sleep, and how I handle stress affect my health.

  • I want to make changes to my daily habits to feel healthier.

  • I feel confident I could start with small changes with support from my provider or care team.

Now, click the statement that best describes you — and explore the resources designed to support you right where you are:

I’m ready to take the next step       I’m curious, but not sure yet       I’d like to start small

You’re ready – and you’re not alone

Making changes to daily habits can feel hard, especially when you’re managing a health condition. Clinicians trained in lifestyle medicine focus on helping patients:

  • Make behavior changes that fit real life

  • Use nutrition and daily habits to support treatment, prevention, and long-term health

  • Receive personalized, evidence-based care that complements medical treatment

Whether your current provider practices lifestyle medicine or you’re exploring it for the first time, this approach emphasizes partnership. The focus is on working with you—step by step—to build healthier habits that support lasting well-being.

Helpful questions to ask your doctor

Even if your current provider isn’t board certified in lifestyle medicine yet, they can still help you explore habits that support your health.

As a patient, you have the right to understand how daily habits can help prevent and manage chronic conditions.

Here are some questions you can ask to start the conversation and share your goals, challenges, and what matters most to you:

1

What small lifestyle changes could I start with that would make a difference for me?

2

How can I make changes that fit into my daily routine?

3

What support or resources can you provide to help me stay on track?

4

How can we track my progress and adjust my plan over time?

5

Are there specific lifestyle strategies that might help with my current health conditions?

6

How can I involve my family or support system in my journey?

Stories to inspire your next step

Sometimes the best motivation comes from seeing what’s possible. These are real stories from real people who have used lifestyle medicine to improve their health and quality of life. Explore their journeys, find tips you can use, and see how small changes can lead to big results. 

Featured Story

Putting Diabetes Into Remission

In this inspiring story, Dr. Mahima Gulati, a certified endocrinologist specializing in lifestyle medicine, highlights the transformative power of lifestyle changes in treating type 2 diabetes. She emphasizes the significance of lifestyle medicine as a discipline and the profound impact it can have on individuals with diabetes.

Read now Watch more like this on YouTube

Impact Stories

“Your results are normal!” The story of how one woman with diabetes and chronic fatigue restored her health

Learn More
Impact Stories

How a commitment to lifestyle changes helped one woman face cancer

Learn More
Clinical & Community Integration

Curbing childhood obesity one family habit at a time

Learn More
Diabetes

Addressing diabetes among Hispanic Americans

Learn More
smiling hispanic family
Impact Stories

Communities besieged by chronic diseases need lifestyle medicine. Meet a doctor determined to deliver it there.

Learn More
Impact Stories

A doctor discovered she was genetically predisposed to cancer. Now she inspires others to believe genes don’t equal destiny.

Learn More

Lifestyle medicine in the news

See how lifestyle medicine is making headlines — and how small changes can make a big difference for your health.

There is a common misconception in our country that growing older is synonymous with growing sicker. As you age, you will get sick, and there is not much you can do about it. This belief is so entrenched in our collective consciousness that it’s hardly questioned.

Read More

Imagine being one of the millions of Americans in need of a hip or knee replacement due to osteoarthritis. Severe pain, reduced physical activity, an inability to perform many routine tasks — the symptoms can be truly debilitating.

Read More

“Medicine and technology may fail us at times, but human connection grounded in love and compassion always heals.”

Read More

What is lifestyle medicine, and how can it apply to cancer care? In this empowering episode, we explore the transformative role of lifestyle medicine in cancer survivorship. We spoke to Amy Comander, MD, medical director of the Mass General Cancer Center-Waltham and the Breast Oncology Program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, who explains how intentional choices around nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mental health can play a powerful role in cancer care. From diagnosis through recovery, we explore how these interventions can complement treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, helping patients regain a sense of control and improve their quality of life.

Read More

It’s okay if you’re not ready yet

Try one small change today

Change takes time

Learning about your options is a great first step.

You can still talk with your doctor or care team to learn more about lifestyle medicine and what might work for you.

In the meantime, explore our videos, recipes, and patient stories. See what’s possible, get inspired, and take a small step today. You can always come back to learn more whenever you’re ready.

Patient Stories

Find a lifestyle medicine certified clinician

Lifestyle medicine is a recognized medical specialty, and some clinicians have completed formal training to become certified. Working with a certified provider can help ensure you get guidance based on the latest evidence and best practices.

There are thousands of lifestyle medicine–trained clinicians across the United States. Find one near you to get started on your health journey.

Clinician Directory