Care We Practice Ourselves: Advice from Our Medical Experts
With so much health advice online, how do you know what’s worth following? Our medical experts share the habits they personally live by—and encourage their own families to follow.
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With so much health advice online, how do you know what’s worth following? Our medical experts share the habits they personally live by—and encourage their own families to follow.
Today, it seems like everyone online has medical advice to share. With so much information —and misinformation—circulating, it can be hard to know what to trust. At Connected Health, we believe our patients deserve guidance rooted in clinical expertise, evidence, and real-life practice.
It’s one thing to give medical advice; it’s another to live by it. We asked members of our Connected Health medical team to share the guidance they personally follow and encourage their own families to live by. What they shared reinforces a simple truth: small, consistent habits matter, and caring for yourself is foundational to caring for others.
Here’s what our team practices in their own lives.
Sleep is a non-negotiable. I try to get a solid 8 hours of sleep, with at least one hour of stage 3 (deep) sleep, which plays an important role in physical recovery and overall health.
Nutrition matters daily—not perfectly, but consistently. I try to eat as many vegetables as I can each day. Studies show that having even one fresh fruit or unprocessed vegetable daily can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 8–10%.
For allergy prevention, I like using local honey and honey granules before allergy season hits.
I’m also a big believer in fermented foods for gut health. I regularly use kefir in smoothies, tofu as a protein source, and sauerkraut or kimchi as side dishes...yumm!
Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated. Even 15 minutes of physical activity during busy workdays, done daily, makes a meaningful difference.
Finally, I set aside at least five minutes in the morning and evening for contemplation. It doesn’t have to be structured, just five thoughtless minutes. It’s hard to do consistently, but incredibly rewarding.
A strong foundation of health starts with daily habits that support long-term cardiovascular and overall well-being.
From a nutrition standpoint, I follow a cardiovascular-healthy dietary pattern that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and healthy protein sources such as low-fat dairy, skinless poultry, fish and seafood, and nuts. I aim to use nontropical vegetable oils and limit sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red meats.
Physical activity is essential. I prioritize at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activity.
Other core principles I live by include:
These pillars work together to support both physical and overall quality of life.
Some of the most effective health habits are also the simplest. I’m a strong believer in washing your hands consistently and not skipping preventive care. Routine visits—whether it’s your annual physical, eye exam, dental appointment, mammogram, or DEXA scan—play a critical role in catching issues early and keeping you on track long-term.
When it comes to lifestyle, one thing I always come back to is this: you can’t outrun a bad diet. What you get out of your health truly depends on what you put in. Nourishing your body with quality foods supports everything from energy levels to disease prevention and complements all the effort you put into staying active.
The advice I try to live by is: “If you don’t take care of yourself, then who will?”
So often in life, we get busy worrying about everyone else, and we end up putting ourselves on the back burner. It’s easier said than done to practice what you preach, but if we want to be the best version of ourselves, we have to take steps to make sure that happens.
And this is especially true for moms!
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. When you prioritize your own health and well-being, you’re better able to show up for everyone who depends on you.
The advice shared here isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. These are habits our medical experts actively practice in their own lives, because they know firsthand that proactive, consistent care makes a difference over time.
Start small. Stay consistent. And remember: caring for yourself is one of the most important health decisions you can make.
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