Lexington, KY – Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) is observing Lifestyle Medicine Awareness Week by highlighting the benefits of daily habits to improve well-being and prevent or improve chronic disease. As the only healthcare system in Kentucky with a lifestyle medicine service line, ARH continues to lead the way in helping patients, employees, and our community take a proactive approach to health through evidence-based lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle medicine represents a fundamental shift in how we approach healthcare. Rather than simply treating disease after it appears, lifestyle medicine focuses on using healthy behaviors as a primary way to prevent, treat, and even reverse chronic conditions through evidence-based lifestyle interventions based on six pillars. Those pillars include nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep optimization, social connection, and avoiding risky substances.

“Lifestyle Medicine Awareness Week is a celebration of health, connection, and community,” said Nika Larian, ARH Vice President of Wellness. “We wanted to create opportunities that not only introduced people to some simple ways to support their well-being, but that are also interactive and uplifting. Yoga, gardening, and spending time with animals are activities that reflect the pillars of lifestyle medicine and show how small changes can affect your health.”

Events planned for the week included:

5/19       Hazard PAWS-itive Puppy event; an opportunity where employees were able to cuddle with some furry friends and learn about mental health and resources available.

5/19       Hazard Free Community Yoga Event: This outdoor yoga event was held at The Grand in Hazard and was free to employees and community members. Representatives from our behavioral health staff were there to provide information on the services they offer. This event hit the pillars of activity, stress management, positive social connections, and sleep! 

5/21       Lexington Get Physical with Erin and Allie; Erin Day, Director of Employee Wellness, taught gentle chair yoga for employees in person. This event was live-streamed for employees across the system. Afterward, while employees enjoyed healthy snacks, Allie Davidson, Lifestyle Medicine Clinical Service Line Director, talked about the new service line and provided tips on how to improve your nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management.

Other recent wellness projects include the new employee gardens at Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center and McDowell ARH Hospital. Employees can work together to plant a variety of vegetables, fruits, and herbs to enjoy throughout the growing season. The gardens are designed to encourage healthy eating, provide opportunities for outdoor activity, and be a welcoming space where employees can connect and recharge.

ARH’s lifestyle medicine services provide patients with individualized guidance and tools to support healthier living. The program emphasizes practical and realistic strategies tailored to the patient’s goals and needs.

During Lifestyle Medicine Awareness Week, ARH hopes to inspire employees and community members alike to prioritize their health and explore the benefits of lifestyle medicine.