Lifestyle Design

"The pattern and performance of one's daily activities weave a fabric of existence that determines the quality of a person's life.  Wellness and Lifestyle Renewal is a way to gather the cloth of life into one's hands and to rework its design.”

Mark Rosenfeld, 1993.

Achieving balance and optimal performance of daily activities is the key to wellness.  Developing the ability to adapt one’s lifestyle as personal roles evolve is critical to maintaining good health for a lifetime.  We possess the clinical tools and expertise to facilitate the process of self-appraisal, develop a plan of action, and provide the guidance and resources necessary for clients to implement their plans.  The disciplines in which EbD specializes include the following.

• Fitness— a general fitness approach is important, but we have the expertise to help clients develop specific fitness routines that will condition them to better cope with the demands of their work and daily activities. Among EbD’s fitness and exercise instructors and our network of community professionals, clients are provided the necessary resources to develop a truly custom fitness program. Optimal performance begins with the right combination of these fitness elements:
  • Resistive strength training
  • Core strengthening
  • Aerobic conditioning
  • Flexibility training
  • Postural training
  • Relaxation
• Nutrition –nutrition information and diet plans abound. EbD can help clients make sense of this information and apply sensible, sustainable nutritional principles into their lifestyles. Custom resources and on-site consultation show clients how to…
  • buy healthier food
  • prepare meals to achieve nutrition goals
  • develop and follow a sustainable nutrition plan
  • track and measure improved dietary performance
• Activities of daily living—Occupational Therapists believe that the performance and balance of life activities is what makes us human. The consultants at EbD prescribe specific activity configurations to help clients understand, measure, and improve activity performance.

Work Wellness

An ergonomic approach that reduces the risk for injury and improves productivity by modifying the work environment and task is essential to the success of any business. However, to maximize the health and performance of employees, the approach must extend beyond workplace modifications to employee lifestyle enhancement. EbD provides business clients with a blueprint for the development of wellness programs through individual and/or group interventions. Below are case descriptions illustrating EbD Work Enhancement.

• Michelle, a university administrative assistant, had recently missed work because of shoulder tendonitis due to the repetitive nature of her computer work.  The EbD consultant made seating, computer accessory, and lighting recommendations, but also became aware that the client had increased her hours at work and fallen out of her fitness routine.  The consultant reminded her of the importance of a fitness program, particularly aerobic and postural conditioning along with a large upper body movement component. Through a discussion of activities that would accomplish these objectives, it was discovered that the client had previously enjoyed paddling. Once the client realized the potential work and health benefits of resuming this activity, she was empowered to enhance her lifestyle and to better cope with the demands of her job. 
  
  
• A team of field workers had a history of discomfort and injuries related to the strenuous nature of their pruning work. The EbD evaluators made job rotation, tool design, and body mechanics recommendations, but acknowledged that the demands of this manual work continued to present the risk for injury, particularly in the back and shoulder regions. The consultants stressed the importance of being physically prepared for this job and recommended a group strengthening routine that would specifically condition the body regions most at risk.  The consultants referred the team to a fitness instructor with experience in work related programs who developed a low cost resistive exercise routine, trained employee to do the exercises properly, and supported the team leader so he could run the exercise group regularly. The employees have reported improved comfort and fewer injuries while having become healthier and better prepared for their work.