How to Create a Culture of Wellbeing Around Yourself
·51 min·5 clips
Why do less than 3% of Americans do the three simple things that prevent most chronic diseases?
Dr. April Seifert hosts episode 352 of the Building Psychological Strength podcast, focusing on health and wellbeing fundamentals. She introduces guest Laura Putnam, CEO and founder of Motion Infusion, whose work has been featured in major media outlets. The episode explores why people struggle to act on health knowledge, with Laura noting that less than 3% of Americans follow basic behaviors like eating vegetables and exercising, despite these preventing 70-90% of chronic diseases. They discuss the importance of shifting from being experts to agents of change, highlighting that emotions drive behavior more than logic. Laura introduces the concept of 'wellness privilege', using an escalator analogy to describe how systemic factors advantage or disadvantage individuals. The conversation touches on pandemic impacts, including exacerbated chronic conditions and mental health crises. Laura outlines trends in workplace wellbeing, such as moving from wellness programs to addressing 'human being' needs like autonomy and connection. She explains that managers influence up to 70% of team engagement and wellbeing, advocating for team-based approaches over individual self-care. Practical tips include using nudges and cues to make healthy choices easier, like preparing vegetables in advance. Laura suggests assessing organizational culture through imagery exercises and starting with what's right rather than focusing on deficits. The episode concludes with resources for listeners, including Laura's book and related podcast episodes on self-compassion and habit formation.
