What is Lifestyle Medicine?

Lifestyle Medicine is a medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions as a primary modality to prevent and treat chronic conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

Grounded in evidence-based practice, lifestyle medicine takes a whole-person, prescriptive approach that expands the scope of preventive care by addressing the root causes of illness through sustainable behavior change. Its foundation rests on six core pillars: whole-food, plant-predominant diet, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections.

• Optimal nutrition - focus on eating more plant predominant whole foods
• Physical activity - engage in regular and consistent physical activity
• Stress management - develop healthy coping skills
• Restorative sleep - allow for 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night
• Connectedness - foster and support relationships that bring meaning and purpose to life
• Avoid risky substances - avoid consumption or exposure to harmful substances

MaineHealth Lifestyle Medicine Brunswick offers numerous opportunities in many of these six pillars. 

We welcome you to explore our currently offered classes and events on this site! 

Please call 207-373-6585 with questions or for more information. If you don't see something you're looking for, just ask!

All about the "Avoidance of Risky Substances" Lifestyle Medicine Pillar!

Substantial research shows that tobacco use and drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of many chronic diseases and death.

MaineHealth Lifestyle Medicine Brunswick offers programs to help with substance use.

• Well-coaching
• Wellness Consultation
• Tobacco Treatment Coaching

Call 207-373-6585 for more information. Don't see what you're looking for? Ask! 

What is the "Nutrition" Lifestyle Medicine Pillar?

Evidence supports the use of plant-predominant diets rich oin whole foods to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic illnesses.

MaineHealth Lifestyle Medicine Brunswick offers many opportunities to explore the benefits of good nutrition:

• Food for Health
• Preserving Health
• Celebrity Chef
• Cook with a Doc
• Food Is Medicine
• Cooking Matters
• Food Pantry

Please browse this website to explore our current offerings! 

Please call 207-373-6585 for more information. Don't see something? Ask!

What is the "Physical Activity" Lifestyle Medicine Pillar?

Regular, consistent physical activity is an important part of overall health and resiliency.

MaineHealth Lifestyle Medicine Brunswick has a variety of physical activity opportunities:

• Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Vascular Rehabilitation
• Running Start Medical Gym
• Running Start Bowdoin College Swim or Track
• Rock Steady Boxing at YMCA-Brunswick Landing
• Walk with a Doc

Learn more on this website or call 207-373-6585 for more information. If you don't see something you're looking for, just ask!

What is the "Restorative Sleep" Lifestyle Medicine Pillar?

Improving sleep quality can improve attention span, mood, and insulin resistance, and can resude hunger, sluggishness, and more.

MaineHealth Lifestyle Medicine Brunswick is working with other departments to create opportunities in this area.

Please call 207-373-6585 for more information.

What is the the "Social Connection" Lifestyle Medicine Pillar?

Positive social connections have beneficial effects on physical, mental, and emotional health.

MaineHealth Lifestyle Medicine offers numerous opportunities to interact with others while exploring better health.

• Aging with Vitality Series
• Cardiac Support Group
• Embracing Life with Cancer
• Health Within Reach
• Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
• Prescription for Health
• Stroke Support Group
• Understanding Lung Disease
• Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
• Women’s Menopause Series
• Women’s Pelvic Health Series
• Well-coaching
• Wellness Consultation

Please call 207-373-6585 for more information. Don't see something you're looking for? Just ask!

What is the "Stress Management" Lifestyle Medicine Pillar?

Managing negative stress can lessen anxiety, depression, and immune dysfunction and contribute to improved well-being.

MaineHealth Lifestyle Medicine Brunswick has a variety of opportunities to manage stress:

• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
• Yoga for daily Living
• Summer Meditation
• Mindful Moment
• Mindfulness for Daily Living
• Book Club – Mindfulness- A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Hectic World
• Peggy Huddleston Prepare for Surgery
• Health Within Reach
• The Arts of Wellness
• A Morning of Intention

A FREE comprehensive four-session program that will explore the common effects women experience during perimenopause and menopause. Topics may include:

• Management of Irregular Bleeding During Perimenopause 
• HRT – Hormone Replacement Therapy 
• Bladder/Pelvic Floor Health 
• Vulvovaginal Health 

For more information call (207) 373-6585.