The Nature Prescription: Lifestyle Medicine Insights with Dr. Outdoors, Melissa Sundermann
In this episode of 'Let's Talk Brain Health', Dr. Melissa Sunderman, a double board-certified physician in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine, discusses the importance of lifestyle choices on brain health.
She shares her journey into lifestyle medicine, detailing her pursuit of true healing and advocating for healthier lifestyles through the six pillars of lifestyle medicine:
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nutrition,
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exercise,
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sleep,
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social connection
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stress management, and
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avoidance of risky substances and behaviors,
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with an additional unofficial pillar of exposure to nature.
Dr. Sunderman discusses various studies that demonstrate the beneficial impacts of green and blue spaces on health, cognitive reserve, and emotional well-being.
She also explains the potential for lifestyle medicine to revolutionize modern healthcare systems by shifting focus from treating sickness to prevention.
As an advocate for nature dubbed as 'Dr. Outdoors', Dr. Sunderman encourages daily exposure to nature, stating its critical role in supporting both human and planetary health.
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Dr. Melissa Sundermann, DO
Dr. Outdoors | Lifestyle Medicine Physician
Dr. Melissa Sundermann is a double board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine and has been practicing medicine for over 20 years. She also has training in Integrative Medicine through the University of Michigan and has completed a Professional Training Program in Mind Body Medicine through the Center for Mind Body Medicine based in Washington, DC. She has been featured in several Lifestyle Medicine articles and podcasts as well as an invited speaker for health and wellbeing national and international conferences. She strongly believes in fostering a partnership with her patients and helping to guide them towards a healing pathway through self-care utilizing the pillars Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Sundermann is also known as “Doctor Outdoors” and is the Founding Chair of the Nature as Medicine sub-committee for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Dr. Sundermann currently specializes in Longevity and Lifestyle Medicine with Lifespan Medicine. Prior to this role, she practiced Lifestyle Medicine at Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort in Lenox, MA and Trinity Health in Ann Arbor, MI. In addition to her clinical roles, she is the co-founder of REVIVE! Lifestyle Medicine Well-Being Coaching and creates educational content for several health and well-being companies. She does her best to practice what she preaches and enjoys running, biking, hiking, skiing and spending time outdoors. She is a 10x Boston Marathon finisher, 3x Full Ironman Triathlon finisher and currently training for several upcoming Ultramarathons. She truly believes that age is… Read More
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