Your Lifestyle Prescription

Small lifestyle changes improve health and wellbeing.

Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference.

They’re often easier to adopt than you think and sometimes more impactful than a prescription.

Even simple shifts in your daily habits can boost your health, increase your energy, and build your confidence.

Over time, they help lower your risk of serious illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and dementia.

  • Start simple with something important to you that you want to do.

  • Use this lifestyle prescription to write down what you will do.

  • Be kind to yourself and take it one small step at a time.

  • Feel good, look good, have more energy and confidence.

Making Small Changes

Start with one small change.

  • Be specific: What will you do and when?

  • Make it simple and realistic for you.

  • Write it down — it helps you stick with it.

  • Once it’s a habit, add another small change.

One step at a time can lead to lasting change.

Move

  • 2 extra minutes of movement a day can lower your risk of disease by 11%.
  • Try marching on the spot when you boil the kettle.

Eat

  • Eating less processed food will make you feel great.
  • Try having 1 meal this week that you make from scratch.

Sleep

  • Sleep can improve your mood, heart health, and help you lose weight.
  • Try 2 minutes of belly breathing when you get into bed.

Relax

  • Boost your energy, reduce anxiety and lower your blood pressure.
  • Try singing along to your favourite song.

Connect

  • Talking to a good friend is the best thing for your wellbeing.
  • Try phoning a friend instead of texting.

Avoid Harmful Substances

  • It’s never too late to cut down alcohol, stop smoking or stop using drugs.
  • Try having 1 extra drink free day this week.

What can I include in my lifestyle prescription?

Had an NHS Health Check in Harrow? Maybe your healthcare professional has helped you create one? Lifestyle prescriptions helps you identify key areas to focus on.

You can include anything you want that will help you create healthier lifestyle habits.

📄 Download the Lifestyle Prescription Template [.doc]

Use it to create or update your personal plan based on your goals and health needs.

Keep your lifestyle prescription somewhere that you can see it, to remind you what you have said you will do.

You can update your lifestyle prescription every few weeks as your habits, priorities, and health
change.

Why not have a lifestyle prescription for the whole family that you create together and keep it on the fridge. Add reward stars each time you do what you have said you will.

Example Lifestyle Prescription

Meet Suresh

Suresh is 45, a husband and a dad to 2 boys. He has a stressful job, works from home at a desk all day, doesn’t do any exercise, smokes, and often has a second helping at dinner time. His clothes are feeling a bit snug, and he knows that he should shed a few pounds but it’s hard when life is busy. As part of his NHS health check, Suresh’s test results showed that he is at risk of diabetes and that his heart age is 53, eight years more than his actual age. Suresh discusses his health and concerns with his health care professional. Together they agree a lifestyle prescription that can work for him.