As summer winds down, it is normal to feel stressed whether you’re headed to school or preparing your family for back-to-school schedules this fall. With school supply shopping, sport events and practices, and a busy work schedule, healthy eating and regular exercise are often forgotten as priorities. As a double board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring procedures, Dr. David Whiteman understands the important role of physical and mental health in maintaining surgical results. While we’re all busy this season, Dr. Whiteman offers a few tips to help patients continue living a healthy lifestyle.
One of the best methods to minimizing stress is time management. Establishing and continuing a routine will help you stay on track with scheduling time for exercise and rest. Routines will also help children adjust to their new school schedules. Exercise is important as a way of relieving stress and staying in shape. As discussed in a previous health and wellness blog, getting enough sleep is essential to maintain a healthy and youthful appearance. Proper rest and exercise can help prevent noticeable signs of aging, as well as reduce levels of stress.
In addition, busy schedules and stress commonly affect our eating habits. Heightened stress often causes an increase in appetite as people often turn to food for comfort. Studies published by The New England Journal of Medicine have shown that eating more frequently throughout the day helps people lose weight and keeps metabolisms going. Be sure to pack healthy snacks for throughout the day and limit the amount of times you go out to eat. It is best to prepare food at home and establish dinnertime as a time to reconnect with your family after an active day.
It’s known that stress is one of the leading causes of weight gain and visible signs of aging. While Dr. Whiteman provides various facial and body cosmetic procedures, it is important for patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle before and after surgery. Plastic surgery should never be used as a weight-loss solution. Instead, procedures like liposuction and tummy tuck are reserved for patients with small, stubborn areas of unwanted fat. Facial procedures, such as facelift and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), can achieve a more youthful, refreshed appearance, but it does not completely stop the effects of aging. It is important to get a proper amount of sleep as well as exercise and healthy eating to prevent further signs of aging from appearing.
If you’re interested in learning more about body contouring or other plastic surgery procedures, contact us today. To jump start your healthy lifestyle plan, Jackie Madison is certified in Lifestyle & Weight Management and serves as our in-office resource for patients. Patients can also work with Daryl Madison, an ACE certified personal trainer whom Dr. Whiteman has partnered with to provide a helpful resource for diet and exercise programs. For more updates on plastic surgery and health and wellness, be sure to connect with Dr. Whiteman on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.