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Lifestyle & Sports Psychiatry
Our mission is to conduct research and provide expert guidance in achieving mental health and optimal performance to create actionable, reliable, and continuously updated resources that translate evidence-based research into guidelines for positive mental health and wellbeing among athletes and others who value self-care.
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
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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
– 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?