Lifestyle Medicine & Positive Habit Coaching, What?

What is Lifestyle Medicine?

At Love Health, Holistic Primary Care, I focus on Lifestyle Medicine because I genuinely believe that health is more than just the absence of disease—it's about your overall well-being. I've noticed that when people are physically unwell, their emotional state often suffers too. And the reverse is true: when you're emotionally or spiritually off-balance, it can show up in your body as well. Have you ever thought about how your lifestyle might be impacting your health? Sure, it's important to treat illness when it shows up, but I believe the real question is: how can we enhance your health so that your body and mind are ready to handle whatever life throws your way, whether it's emotional, spiritual, or physical?

For me, Lifestyle Medicine is about getting to the root of health issues by addressing the lifestyle factors that contribute to them. Things like what you eat, how much you move, how you manage stress, and even your social connections play a huge role in your overall health. Maybe it’s because I’m a personal trainer and a mom, but I love talking with other parents about how small shifts in mindset and activity can transform their lives. For example, many busy parents make a resolution to go to the gym three times a week, but they forget that this often takes at least an hour and a half when you factor in travel time. When they don’t follow through, they feel defeated, and that loss of motivation can spiral into a pattern of setting unrealistic goals and feeling like a failure when they’re not met. But here’s the thing: it’s not you who failed—it’s the plan! Trying to fit a square peg into a round hole never works. Instead, set yourself up for success by creating an environment that makes it easier to achieve your goals. Maybe that means doing short 15-minute workouts in your living room each day. It’s great for kids to see mom taking care of herself—they’ll learn the value of self-care too. Another example: if you don’t want to eat something unhealthy, don’t bring it into the house! We often tell ourselves to rely on willpower, but the truth is, success comes from smart planning, not from superhuman self-control.

The Body's Innate Ability to Heal

One of the things that frustrates me about traditional Western medicine is how often we overlook the body’s incredible ability to heal itself—when given the right environment. Think about it: if you get a cut, your body just knows how to heal it. But if you're dealing with uncontrolled blood sugar or if you're a smoker, that simple healing process can become a lot more complicated. This is a powerful reminder of how much our lifestyle choices impact our health. And it's not just physical wounds—did you know that by slowing your breathing, you can actually slow your heart rate? It's a clear example of how we can influence our autonomic nervous system, which usually runs on "auto-pilot." But despite knowing this, conventional primary care rarely incorporates techniques like breathwork that can help reduce stress and support your body’s natural healing processes.

At Love Health, I make it a point to integrate these principles into how I care for my patients. I’m here to guide you through lifestyle changes that support your body’s natural ability to heal and thrive. If you’re curious and want to learn more, I’d love to meet you. Schedule a free meet and greet with me, Dr. Dana, and let’s start working towards a healthier, happier you.

Dr. Dana Mincer, DO, is a lifestyle oriented, board certified family practice physician, personal trainer, daily yogi, and mom of some awesome kids! You can find her Direct Primary Care practice, Love Health, in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Here’s the link to her website: www.LoveHealthDPC.com

DISCLOSURE: THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED FOR MEDICAL ADVICE AND IN NO MEANS ESTABLISHES A PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. It's important to note that while these alternative approaches may have some clinical efficacy in lowering blood pressure, they should not be used as a substitute for conventional medical treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any alternative medicine treatment, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medication. Additionally, individual responses to these treatments may vary, so it's essential to monitor blood pressure regularly and adjust treatment as needed.