By Dr. Cheryl Christy, DNP, RN
Gulf Coast Media Contributor
Author’s note: This column is intended for educational purposes only. It aims to highlight gaps in health knowledge, provide support and empower organizations to guide their members in creating effective health and wellness programs.
Lifestyle can be considered the “daily environment” in which the body lives. Daily decisions shape health more than most people realize. They influence not only whether diseases develop but also energy levels, mood, resilience, memory, sleep, relationships and even how well the body heals after illness or a stressful event.
Harmful lifestyles do not typically arise from a single behavior but from a chronic disconnect from one’s health. Without addressing this, people end up with clusters of health risks. Examples of single issues that often cluster are sedentary lifestyle, ultra-processed diet, too much sugar, chronic stress, poor sleep, obesity, social isolation and overreliance on medications. Nutritional deficiencies, toxicity and pathogens contribute to chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, which underlie most modern diseases. Let us break this down into specific effects.
THE MAJOR LIFESTYLE FACTORS THAT AFFECT HEALTH
1. Nutrition. Food is information for the body. A diet high in processed foods, excess sugar, unhealthy fats and ultra-processed snacks contributes to the following:
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Inflammation
• Fatigue
• Depression and brain fog
On the other hand, whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, healthy fats, fiber and adequate hydration support better energy, stable blood sugar, brain health, immune function, a healthier weight and lower inflammation. Chronic illness begins quietly years before diagnosis due to an inadequate nutritional foundation.
2. Physical activity. The body was designed to move. A lack of movement increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, blood clots, joint stiffness, depression and loss of muscle and balance. Regular activity improves circulation, mood, sleep, bone strength, memory and stress tolerance.
3. Sleep is not just downtime; it is also repairing time. Poor sleep affects blood pressure, weight, hormones, mood, immune system, concentration and risk of accidents. In addition, chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to increased risks of obesity, heart disease and cognitive decline.
4. Stress and emotional health. Long-term stress keeps the body in a constant “fight-or-flight” state. Over time, this contributes to high blood pressure, anxiety, digestive problems, immune dysfunction, burnout and increased inflammation. On the other hand, healthy coping skills such as prayer or meditation, time outdoors, supportive relationships, counseling, journaling, rest and boundaries can reset stress response. It is not about stress itself; it is the constant unresolved stress that is the issue.
5. Smoking, alcohol or substance abuse are a class of choices that, although they resolve short-term anxiety, may have a significant impact on liver health, brain function, mental health, sleep, relationships and safety.
6. Social connection and community. Humans are wired for connection. Loneliness and isolation are associated with depression, poor immune health, cognitive decline and higher mortality risk. Supportive relationships improve emotional resilience, aid recovery from illness, provide motivation for healthy habits and offer a sense of purpose.
Faith communities, civic groups and other social support organizations strongly influence health and wellness levels within the community. They need the desire and will to provide what is needed. This is the hard part — the status quo is easy; facing and meeting changes is hard. It means facing the fact that what you are doing is no longer working to the extent needed to effect real change in people’s lives.
7. Preventive health care. Lifestyle also includes what people choose to address, such as health screenings, blood pressure monitoring, awareness of symptoms, seeking medical advice early and building health literacy. Small choices repeated over the years become patterns that affect health outcomes. You can begin each day with new habits in nutrition, hydration, movement and being mindful of your personal health needs.
In conclusion, daily decisions, as an individual and as a leader, affect health now and in the future. A healthy community contributes to the growth and stability of a population.
Dr. Cheryl Christy is a Baldwin County resident and registered nurse with nearly 30 years of experience. She holds master’s degrees in nursing education and nursing practice and a doctorate in nursing practice. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Phi Pi Chapter, a certified lay counselor and the author of “Voices for Healthcare,” a health care blog.
Read her previous column titled “The role of the U.S. surgeon general — What it means to your health” on www.GulfCoastMedia.com.
