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April Affinity Talk: Lifestyle Psychiatry with Dr. Gia Merlo and Dr. Melissa Sundermann
April 22 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Lifestyle Psychiatry – Harnessing the Therapeutic Benefits of the Great Outdoors explores how nature serves as a powerful tool for mental health and well-being. Lifestyle psychiatry is an emerging field that integrates evidence-based lifestyle interventions—such as physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and social connection—into psychiatric care to prevent and treat mental illness while optimizing overall health. A growing body of research highlights the profound impact of nature exposure in reducing stress, alleviating anxiety and depression, and enhancing cognitive function. This session examines the mental health benefits of green and blue spaces, innovative strategies to increase nature access in urban environments, and the growing practice of Nature Prescriptions—personalized recommendations for engaging with nature as a therapeutic tool. Attendees will gain practical insights into integrating nature-based interventions into clinical care, empowering both patients and providers to harness the healing power of the outdoors.
Dr. Merlo is a clinical professor of psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, associate editor of the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), past chair of the Mental and Behavioral Health Member Interest Group, and contributing author to ACLM’s board review course. She recently published a general-audience book, Restack: A New Approach to Dismantle the Blocks Holding You Back. In Restack, Merlo urges us to embrace our humanness with our imperfections and provides tools and practical suggestions to restack yourself in a way that is psychologically freeing.
Dr. Melissa Sundermann is a double board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine and has practiced medicine for over 25 years. She also has training in Integrative Medicine through the University of Michigan and has completed a Professional Training Program in Mind Body Medicine.