No Prescription Needed
Movement Prescriptions: When we move, our bodies get better at moving. When we don’t move, our bodies get better at not moving. Physical movement improves blood circulation, cholesterol, joint flexibility & the immune system; it decreases inflammation, strengthens muscles, bones & connective tissues; it supports pain management, raises IGF-1 (a hormone which helps to reverse & heal chronic medical diseases, bone mineral density & fibromyalgia); and, it contributes to overall well-being & positive mental health. Work with your physician to find the right cardio & resistance training to optimize & heal your body.
Nutrition Prescriptions: Excellent nutrition helps to support healing & contributes to the prevention & reversal of chronic medical diseases (e.g., heart disease, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes/type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol/triglycerides, cancer, dementia & obesity). The best diets for overall health include foods in their natural state & emphasize larger portions of plant-foods (vegetables & fruits) and smaller or zero portions of animal-foods (meat/fish & dairy). Processed food items, containing ingredients not found in nature, are to be eliminated or avoided. Read & learn about the individual ingredients that you eat and eat the ones that help you heal & get stronger. Work with your physician or a registered dietician to improve your health & healing.
Relaxation Prescriptions: You own every thought & emotion in your head. To alleviate mental stresses (e.g., worries, anxiety, negative thinking, overwhelmingness, agitation, frustration) or to maintain good mental health, practice relaxation exercises such as meditation, mindfulness, positive thinking, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, nature walks, calm/uplifting music, aromatherapy, leisure reading, journaling, art, socialization or prayer. Start your prescribed relaxation practice with short timed sessions (e.g., 2 minutes) & gradually increase your timed practice until your mind starts to feel its benefits.
Social Prescriptions: To get energized, hangout with energizing people, groups or clubs that share your interests. Positive supportive social connections decrease loneliness, grief & stress. These connections can also provide emotional support & motivation to improve mental health, happiness, physical health, illness recovery, self-esteem, career collaboration/advancement, coping skills, longevity, perspective & creativity. To create a supportive social network, one should be open & approachable, initiate contact, participate in activities/events, maintain positive relationships, be a good listener, offer support, build trust, volunteer, be positive & optimistic, manage conflict, express gratitude, network professionally & diversify your connections. Start your prescribed social practice by using your calendar to plan for energizing hangouts.
Charity Prescriptions: Giving money, time or material items to others positively impacts the giver & receiver. When giving directly to a person or group, the positive impact may feel more immediate. Donations, volunteering (time/skills), intentional acts of kindness are associated with a positive sense of well-being, self-purpose, life satisfaction, physical health, social connection or self-esteem. Charitable acts are also associated with alleviating depressive symptoms, stress/anxiety and with cultivating empathy & compassion. Start your prescribed charity activities & enjoy the happiness that you give to others.
Creativity Prescriptions: “Arts on Prescription” refers to any art, culture & nature program that health/social care providers prescribe to support the health & well-being of people. Involvement in art, culture & nature programs benefit individuals by reducing loneliness, isolation, depressive symptoms, stress/anxiety; it also develops positive well-being, sense of purpose, achievement, meaningful relationships, increase in physical movement & mobility, attention, cognition, eases pain and improves sleep. Using a community-centered approach, these programs may use a visit to a zoo, museum or garden, a class, an event or a workshop to bring people together to learn, grow and to engage in living. There are many ways to get active. Read the “Arts on Prescription - A Field Guild for US Communities” to learn more on how to get started & involved. Work with your providers & community and get creative on how to prescribe art, culture & nature into your world.