- More GPs need to listen to this Jersey doctor
- How this form of drug-free medicine could radically improve your life
- Take this holistic lifestyle audit to spot any potential causes of your health problems
The other week I was raging about the latest disarray in government policy after their ‘food tsar’ resigned.
‘Why diet related disease will cost us all!’ I said.
Well, I had some great feedback from readers, as usual.
And one Good Life Letter sent me a link to a fantastic article that I might otherwise have missed.
It was from Jersey’s Balliwick Express.
The article reported on a local doctor, Jo Darwood, who was getting tired of “spending more and more time prescribing medications to people without them feeling any better”.
So she decided to implement something she calls ‘lifestyle medicine’.
That sounds very up my street!
And so it is…
Because Dr Darwood’s philosophy of good health is very much in line with what we’ve been saying at the Good life Letter for well over a decade.
She believes that 65% of the problems people bring to her are lifestyle-related related. Therefore, a medical practitioner should focus on the whole person, rather than just a single niggle, pain problem or illness.
This includes:
- what you eat
- how you move
- your mental health
- your quality of sleep
- your relationships
- any unhealthy habits.
If you only focus on one or two of these areas, you can never really get to the bottom of someone’s health problems.
They ALL need to be taken into account.
Of course, the downside (for both doctors and patients) is that you cannot simply prescribe a pill, or arrange a surgical procedure, then be done with it.
Lifestyle medicine takes time and commitment…
It means finding ways to sleep better… change your diet permanently… move around more… resolve toxic relationships… give up smoking or cut down on drinking…
Those take time to become ingrained habits. And they require a certain amount of self discipline and organisation.
So it’s hard for many people to take, which is why so many tend to beg the GP for an antibiotic, painkiller or weight loss pill, rather than dealing with the reality.
The truth is…
There’s no magic bullet.
There’s no wonder pill.
There’s no single neat answer to a problem.
It takes a lot of small, significant changes to your life – in all areas – to become healthier in the long term, with less pain, more energy, better mental focus and more youthful looks.
How this form of drug-free medicine could radically improve your life
As Jo Darwood points outs, lifestyle medicine is “side-effect free and safe”. It can reduce our reliance on medications that can cause other problems, or even stop us needing them at all.
She adds:
“What is beneficial for one condition is often beneficial for many more. For example, the diet that can reverse Type 2 diabetes can also reduce your risk of dementia and heart disease while helping you sleep better. Lots of women will also find the lifestyle changes that help with menopause symptoms also improve arthritic pains and migraines.”
The article ends with a list of conditions that lifestyle medicine could solve…
“Diabetes, heart disease, strokes, dementia, infections (including coughs and colds, urinary infections, pneumonia and COVID), many cancers, fertility problems, painful periods, polycystic ovaries, menopause symptoms, osteoporosis, arthritis, irritable bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease, acid reflux, constipation, autoimmune disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver and kidney disease, chronic pain conditions and obesity.”
Anyway, thanks to my reader for alerting me to this.
I think more GPs – and the medical establishment at large – need to take this approach.
It’s how it USED to be in the olden, when GPs knew each patient intimately… when they had the time to sit and talk with their patient about what was going on in their lives.
Back when GPs had time to truly LISTEN to what their patient was telling them.
That’s not possible any more…
But what we CAN do is take matters into our own hands.
Taking Dr Darwood’s brilliant ideas, I’ve put together a handy tool you can use to assess your lifestyle and work out what things you can change to improve your health.
A Holistic Lifestyle Audit
1) Diet
Examine your eating habits. Are you consuming a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet? Be honest with yourself and keep a food diary for a week to gain a clear understanding of your daily intake. Look for areas to improve, such as:
- Incorporating more whole foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins)
- Reducing processed and sugary foods
- Ensuring you’re getting enough essential vitamins and minerals
Remember, moderation is crucial. Occasional indulgences are a part of a balanced lifestyle.
2) Physical Activity
How much do you move around in any given day? Assess your current exercise routine and consider:
- Engaging in at least a 10-minute brisk walk every day – and ideally one activity per week, like a swim or a jog.
- Incorporating strength training exercises (gardening will do it, try Pilates.)
Remember to listen to your body and get any pain issues checked out.
3) Mental Health
What is it that makes you stressed or anxious. Consider:
- Incorporating mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga
- Finding time to do a fulfilling hobby that gives you focus and fulfilment, like drawing, playing music, even jigsaws and adult colouring.
- Adjusting your work load or family commitments to give yourself more mental space and less pressure.
4) Sleep
Are you sleeping well? If not, try your best to set a more consistent bedtime schedule and:
- Create a sleep-conducive environment (dark, quiet, and cool)
- Limit exposure to screens and caffeine before bedtime
- Implementing a calming bedtime routine (warm baths, gentle music, reading a good book).
5) Relationships
Are their relationships that impact heavily on your mental health? Be honesty with yourself and consider:
- Strengthening ties with loved ones by spending more time with them.
- Detaching yourself from toxic, destructive friendships.
- Finding new friends through hobbies, clubs, or community groups
6) Unhealthy Habits
What are your unhealthy habits? These include:
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Overuse of digital devices or social media
- Chronic procrastination or poor time management
Find a way to replace these unhealthy habits with positive alternatives and seek support if you need it.
I realise that you cannot solve ALL of these easily, but if you can make small improvements in each of the six lifestyle aspects above, you could notice BIG changes further down the line.
