National Wellness Month: Doctor breaks down the habits that could be aging you
Tue, August 4, 2026 at 10:37 PM
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Dr. Ken Patterson is the president and medical director at Abilene’s Restore Wellness Centre (SBG).
ABILENE, Texas —As National Wellness Month begins, Dr. Ken Patterson, president and medical director at Abilene’s Restore Wellness Centre, encouraged people to look beyond quick fixes and consider how daily habits shape their overall well-being. He argued that many chronic health concerns are tied to lifestyle habits, including nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress and mental health
Dr. Ken Patterson is the president and medical director at Abilene’s Restore Wellness Centre (SBG).
“A lot of the diseases that cause us to age prematurely, feel poorly, and experience aches and pains are connected to our lifestyle choices,” Patterson said. “A lot of that relates to diet, exercise, movement, sleep, stress reduction, and hormone replacement. Those are the key pillars of wellness.”
Patterson pointed to technology as another factor worth considering, maintaining that phone use before bedtime may interfere with brain function and sleep quality
“A lot of the things that interfere with our wellness have to do with our phones,” he said. “Having those devices close to us while we’re trying to rest can interfere with our quality of sleep.”
He stressed that some of the most meaningful changes begin with simple choices, including eating fewer processed foods and staying physically active
“There are toxins everywhere, and unfortunately, we put a lot of those chemicals in our foods. One simple way to improve your diet is by eating natural foods as much as possible. Avoid eating processed foods,” he said. “Any kind of exercise is good for you as well. Exercise will help your body produce more energy, and that energy production is what leads to better health.”
Lifestyle changes are only part of the equation (SBG).
According to Patterson, lifestyle changes are only part of the equation. Understanding why a patient is seeking care is where the process begins
KTXS asked, “How does the Restore Wellness Centre work to identify the root cause of a patient’s health concerns?”
Patterson explained that finding answers starts with understanding the patient’s story
“The first thing I do when I sit down with somebody is ask, ‘Why are you here? What’s going on in your life?’ Sometimes it’s depression. Sometimes it’s anxiety. Sometimes they’re concerned because they’re not feeling as strong as they once did. Sometimes they don’t have the motivation to do things. They’ll come in for those reasons,” he said. “I would tell people today to ask themselves, ‘Why are you seeking out a wellness doctor? What makes you think that you’re not as well as you should be? What’s going on in your life that’s making your health decline?’ It will probably point back to the root cause.”
Phone use before bedtime may interfere with brain function and sleep quality (SBG).
Patient Derek Smellie credited consistency and support from the clinic with helping him maintain a regular exercise routine
“I try to exercise three or four times a week for about 30 minutes,” Smellie said. “As I’ve gotten older, it’s become more challenging, but with the help I’ve received here, I’ve been able to stay consistent with my routine.”
Health experts broadly agree that regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, and stress management remain among the most important contributors to long-term health
