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Lifestyle & Sports Psychiatry
Our mission is to advance knowledge through research & education, create innovative & accessible resources and provide expert consultation & policy guidance on lifestyle behaviors for achieving mental and brain health among athletes and others seeking optimal performance, quality of life and wellbeing
Lifestyle psychiatry refers to the application of lifestyle medicine principles to support individuals in managing psychiatric disorders and cultivating brain health. Lifestyle psychiatry is closely linked to Sports Psychiatry, the practice of caring for athletes using traditional and lifestyle interventions to optimize performance and mental health.
Lifestyle psychiatry includes research on the impact of lifestyle behaviors on prevalence of psychiatric symptoms or disorders in general populations, the impact of naturalistic lifestyle behaviors on symptoms among people at risk for psychiatric disorders, the impact of lifestyle interventions on severity of symptoms among people with a psychiatric disorder, the neuroscience of brain response to lifestyle behaviors, and the science of lifestyle behavior change.
Lifestyle behaviors known to impact mental health:
physical
exercise
diet and
nutrition
meditation
mind-body practices
restorative
sleep
social
relationships
Lifestyle Psychiatry offers a unique opportunity for psychiatrists to lead society and health care organizations in promoting attention to the impact of lifestyle on health and disease. When clearly identified, the potential dual benefit of positive lifestyle changes for mental and physical health may enhance people’s motivation to live healthy lives.
Lifestyle interventions may be useful for primary prevention, first-line therapy, multimodal therapy, augmentation, precision therapy and relapse prevention among athletes, vulnerable populations and anyone interesting in optimizing their health.
We aim to be world leaders in consultation and policy guidance to healthcare systems, governments, sports organizations, corporations, and medical professionals on brain health and quality of life.
Faculty
Professor of Psychiatry, Western University of Health Sciences
News and Resources
APALifestyle Psychiatry
This book examines the impact of lifestyle interventions—from exercise, yoga, and tai chi to mindfulness and meditation, diet and nutrition, and sleep management—on psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and addiction. Readers can readily find data to support the use of specific lifestyle interventions for a patient presenting with a specific disorder.
Listen to the accompanying episode of the podcast Psychiatry Unbound to hear more about the book! Listen here
SpringerLinkSport and Mental Health
This book covers both sport-related mental health problems and sport and exercise in clinical psychiatry. It was edited by David Baron, Thomas Wenzel, Andreas Ströhle, and Todd Stull. Dr. Douglas Noordsy co-authored Chapter 15: Psychosis in Sports.
AmazonThe Culinary Medicine Textbook: Psychiatry, Food & Mood
Psychiatry, Food and Mood is a specialized book in the Culinary Medicine Textbook series, co-authored by Dr. Jonathan Burgess. It summarizes the best diet for psychological health and lays out the culinary competencies that one needs to know to be able to cook and shop for a mental health-friendly diet.
Psychology TodayHow We Can Exercise Away Addiction and Depression
Experts report that exercise can help substance users in their recovery by reducing the risk of relapse and helping to prevent crippling anxiety and depression.
Psychiatric NewsSpecial Report: Lifestyle Psychiatry Emphasizes Behaviors Supporting Mental Health
Lifestyle psychiatry can play an important role in helping patients establish healthy behaviors and habits that both help prevent and treat mental illness.
World PsychiatryThe Lifestyle Psychiatry project of the WPA Section on Medicine, Psychiatry and Primary Care
The WPA Section on Medicine, Psychiatry and Primary Care aims to develop awareness and expand consideration of Lifestyle Psychiatry as a vital component in improving the health and well-being of people around the world.
American College of Lifestyle MedicineLifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum
Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum (LMRC) is a comprehensive, applicable, and flexible curriculum for medical residency programs. Our team wrote two units for Module 9: Emotional and Mental Well Being:
Burgess JD, Noordsy DL. Unit 2: Lifestyle Interventions for Depression.
Chawla V, Noordsy DL. Unit 3: Lifestyle Management of Anxiety.
International Journal of YogaThe Future of Yoga for Mental Health Care
This perspective article summarizes the current evidence on yoga as a treatment for mental health conditions, potential mechanisms of action, future directions, and a call to action for proactive clinical and research agendas for yoga-based interventions in mental health care.
NPRThese habits can cut the risk of depression in half, a new study finds
A new study finds that people who maintain a broad range of healthy habits, from good sleep to physical activity to strong social connections, are significantly less likely to experience episodes of depression.
Stanford Lifestyle MedicineEnhancing Memory Through the Power of Aerobic Exercise
It is generally understood that exercise is good for our physical bodies, but did you know that exercise can also improve cognitive performance?
Stanford Lifestyle MedicineExercise and Mental Health
Exercise has been shown to have numerous physical and mental health benefits. But can exercise also help prevent suicidal behaviors?