What Are the 9 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine?
How These Core Principles Can Help You Build a Healthier Life
At Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute (RLMI), our mission is simple but powerful: to put Lifestyle Medicine—especially the adoption of a whole-food, plant-based diet—at the center of both healthcare and daily living.
One of the clearest frameworks for understanding Lifestyle Medicine is the Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, which highlight the behaviors most strongly supported by evidence for promoting health, preventing chronic disease, and improving quality of life.
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) identifies six core pillars. At RLMI, we fully embrace these six and have also added three more that we believe are equally essential to long-term health and well-being.
Together, these nine pillars form the foundation of our Wellness Wheel, which guides our programs, from the evidence-based 15-Day Whole-Food Plant-Based Jumpstart to our ongoing educational initiatives.
The Six Core Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM)
1. Plant-Based Nutrition
A diet centered on whole, plant-based foods is strongly associated with lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic conditions. At RLMI, this is at the heart of our approach—and the focus of our Jumpstart Program.
2. Physical Activity
Regular movement improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, and supports mental well-being. Even modest increases in daily activity can have profound health benefits.
3. Avoidance of Toxins
Tobacco, excessive alcohol, and other harmful substances remain leading contributors to preventable disease. Lifestyle Medicine emphasizes strategies to minimize or eliminate exposure.
4. Restorative Sleep
Consistent, high-quality sleep plays a vital role in immune function, mood regulation, and long-term cognitive health. Most adults need 7–9 hours of restorative rest per night.
5. Stress Management
Chronic stress is linked to inflammation, cardiovascular risk, and impaired immunity. Techniques such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, and relaxation practices can reduce stress and build resilience.
6. Healthy Relationships
Strong social connections are not just emotionally supportive—they’re linked to longer lifespan, lower risk of depression, and better overall health outcomes.
The Three Additional Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine (RLMI)
At RLMI, we’ve expanded upon the ACLM framework by introducing three additional pillars—championed by our Founding President, Ted Barnett, MD, FACLM—that we believe are vital to whole-person health.
7. Enjoying Nature
Spending time outdoors has measurable benefits for physical and mental health. Exposure to green spaces is associated with lower blood pressure, improved mood, and reduced stress.
8. Seeking Purpose
Having a sense of purpose gives life meaning and has been linked to healthier behaviors, greater resilience, and even reduced risk of early mortality.
9. Finding Joy
Joy is more than a feeling—it’s a protective factor for mental health. Cultivating joy supports emotional balance, motivation, and sustained healthy lifestyle changes.
Moving Forward with the Pillars
These nine pillars provide a framework for living healthier, more fulfilling lives. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be exploring each pillar in greater depth here on the RLMI Insights Blog.
If you’re ready to take the first step, we invite you to:
Join the RLMI Community → Access live support meetings, discussion groups, event recordings, and more.
Try our 15-Day Whole-Food Plant-Based Jumpstart → A medically facilitated, evidence-based program designed to help you reset your health and start seeing real results.
At RLMI, we believe Lifestyle Medicine is the future of healthcare. These pillars can be the foundation for your journey toward better health—for yourself and for the planet.
