Lifestyle Medicine in Undergraduate Medical Training: A Holistic Approach

Dear Editor,

A healthy lifestyle supports physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being, extending life expectancy and reducing the risk of serious illness.¹ Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs), entrusted with safeguarding national health, can also serve as role models, influencing patients, families, and colleagues through their own habits. Yet, reports suggest that many IMGs fall below national health averages. If those responsible for public health are themselves unwell, who will raise the alarm?

Medical training is demanding, with long lectures, intensive clinical duties, and frequent high-stakes exams. These pressures often disrupt sleep, diet, and physical activity. Hence, students need a balanced, plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which supports mental health and lowers chronic disease risk.² Regular aerobic or strength training, along with practices such as yoga, Tai Chi, and martial arts, further enhances physical and psychological resilience.

Social health, the capacity to form and maintain positive relationships, is equally important. For medical students, this means cultivating respectful, supportive connections with peers, faculty, and patients. It is high time to be social in real life rather than being online, as excessive smartphone and social media use can undermine mental well-being.³

Spiritual health contributes to inner peace, resilience, and purpose, and may be nurtured through mindfulness, meditation, time in nature, community service, or spiritual exploration. Participation in spirituality and health programs has been shown to enhance self-awareness, empathy, and communication, qualities central to holistic care.⁴

Figure 1 outlines healthy lifestyle recommendations for IMGs. Yet medical professionals face unpredictable routines shaped by irregular schedules, emotional demands, and sudden crises. Maintaining health in this context is less a single decision than a continuous process of self-monitoring, reflection, and adaptation. Through this cycle, IMGs can safeguard their well-being while serving others more effectively.

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Figure 1:

Potential healthy lifestyle practices for Indian medical graduates.

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