Course Description

Do you have trouble handling the stress of conflicts and deadlines? You are not alone.  Most of us are ill equipped to manage the stress of modern life in general, particularly in  the USA and other economically developed countries. Our inability to manage stress is making us sick, as evidenced by an increasing number of studies that have implicated  high stress, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyle in the rise of systemic disorders such as  cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and the opioid crisis. Even during the  COVID 19 pandemic, systemic disorders largely replaced infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and influenza, as the leading causes of mortality in the USA  and other developed countries. During the pandemic itself, 80 - 90% of the deaths  attributed to corona virus were accompanied by one or more systemic co-morbidities,  most of which can be prevented and treated with healthier lifestyles.  

Consequently, public health policy makers and health care providers are increasing  looking towards “Lifestyle Medicine” for both prevention and treatment of systemic  diseases. Recommended lifestyle interventions include meditation, positive psychology, positive personal and social interactions, a whole food plant-based diet, and physical exercise, including yoga postures. These same elements are also effective for stress  management and relief from the effects of anxiety and depression. 

In this course students will learn about both the promise and challenge of lifestyle  intervention for personal and public health. Students will also receive instruction in  meditation, yoga, dietary choices, and strategies for stress management and long-term  health. Students will be encouraged to develop their own daily meditation and yoga  practice, and a weekly schedule of aerobic and strengthening exercise. Students will  also be encouraged to set and follow dietary goals. We cannot effectively advocate for  what we ourselves do not practice. Most of the practices taught in this course are  evidenced-based and most reading assignments contain ample references to the  primary studies in reputable peer-reviewed journals.  

​

Experience a completely unique learning journey! Students will:​
1. Be happier and achieve a greater sense of well-being. 
2. Have established a consistent daily meditation practice. 
3. Develop a balanced and mindful weekly physical exercise program.  

4. Respond to stressors with awareness rather than reactivity and maladaptive  coping strategies.  
5. Make healthy dietary choices and critically evaluate fad diets.  

6. Feel confident in advocating for healthier lifestyle choices for friends, family  members and the public.