TheTo

Finding Your Path To Health & Well-Being

A WELCOA Expert Interview With Dr. Brian LukeSeaward

WELCOA's

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E W E L L N E S S C O U N C I L O F A M E R I C A

For more interviews, visitwww.welcoa.org

WELCOA 17002 Marcy Street, Suite 140 Omaha, NE 68118 | Phone: 402.827.3590 | Fax: 402.827.3594 | welcoa.org

ABOUT DR. BRIAN LUKE SEAWARDBrian Luke Seaward is a renowned and respected international expert in the fields of stress management,

mind-body-spirit healing and corporate health promotion. Additionally, he is an award-winning author,

photographer, teacher, celebrated film director/producer and much sought after inspirational speaker. He

currently serves as the Executive Director of the Paramount Wellness Institute in Boulder, CO. Dr. Seaward

can be reached via his website,

www.brianlukeseaward.net.

ABOUT DR. DAVID HUNNICUTTSince his arrival at WELCOA in 1995, David has interviewed hundreds of the most influential business

and health leaders in America. Known for his ability to make complex issues easier to understand,

David has a proven track record of asking the right questions and getting straight answers. As a result

of his efforts, David’s expert interviews have been widely-published and read by workplace wellness

practitioners across the country.

David Hunnicutt can be reached at dhunnicutt@welcoa.org.

WELCOA's

An Expert Interview withBrian Luke Seaward, PhD

The Road To Wellness: Finding Your Path To Health & Well-Being

W E L C O A N E W S & V I E W S

2

From work to finances to family obligations—the list of personal and professional stressors is nearly endless. Indeed, all of these factors culminate leaving the

average American at the brink of burnout. But what can we do about it? Meet renowned health and stress management expert Dr. Brian Luke Seaward.

In this exclusive interview with WELCOA, Brian shares his holistic views on health and wellness, and how this relates to our stress levels. He also discusses his new book, which can help anyone—regardless of age or health status—get a grip on their stress and ultimately achieve the road to wellness.

You have been in the wellness movement for over three decades.

What changes have you noticed over this time period?

Brian Luke Seaward: I entered the field of corporate wellness in 1978, after I graduated from the University of Maine. Back then the focus was on cardiovascular fitness because heart disease frequented the news headlines so much. Most wellness programs in the early days of health promotion programming included a gym facility and a walking or running program. Back then the word aerobics was on everyone’s lips and running was the sport of choice. Today we see a much wider variety of programming. There are more educational programs from stress management to financial wellness. There are even classes in mindfulness meditation. Of course, we still have aerobic programs—from walking and jogging to swimming and spinning classes.

WELCOA 17002 Marcy Street, Suite 140 Omaha, NE 68118 | Phone: 402.827.3590 | Fax: 402.827.3594 | welcoa.org

Log On To The Nation’sPremier Website ForWorkplace Wellness!

welcoa.org

Today we see a much wider variety of programming.

W E L C O A N E W S & V I E W S

3

What inspired you to get into this field?

BLS: I was motivated by the Olympic swimmer Mark Spitz. I began swimming in high school and continued in college. I loved swimming. I loved sports. I earned a BA in Journalism and also got a degree in Physical Education (they now call this field Kinesiology). A course called the Physiology of Exercise connected all the dots for me. I loved that course, and I loved the field of health and wellness. I went on to graduate school at the University of Illinois to earn a Masters in Exercise Physiology, with a focus on cardiac rehabilitation. I took a job working in cardiac rehab, but quickly realized that I needed to be in health promotion. While working in cardiac rehabilitation, I had the great fortune to meet Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Most people know of her through her work on the topic of death and dying (she was the catalyst for today’s hospice movement). She was also an early wellness advocate and health promotion expert. She was an inspiration for me.

What does the term wellness mean to you?

BLS: My view of wellness is very holistic. I define wellness as the integration, balance and harmony of mind, body, spirit and emotions, where the whole is always greater than the sum of the parts. I think we all know this definition intuitively, but when I first heard Dr. Kubler-Ross describe wellness it made so much sense. Wellness is not merely the absence of disease; it is the expression of life’s vitality. When you think about it, wellness is a pretty colossal topic. My area of expertise is stress management. As we all know, stress affects all aspects of wellness: mind, body, spirit and emotions.

What do you see as the biggest health challenges

people face today?BLS: When I first got started in this field, obesity was an issue, but not the epidemic we have today. Diabetes was an issue too, but nowhere near the situation it is today. Heart disease is still the number one cause of death, but cancer is a huge health issue as well. I may be a little biased about stress, but I see stress as the biggest health issue today primarily because it is so closely related to so many chronic diseases. A huge issue I see today is techno-stress, which is also known as screen addictions. People have

Wellness is not merely the absence of disease; it is the expression of life’s vitality.

Browse sample campaigns atwelcoa.org/freeresources

Looking For Fresh Ways To Engage Your Employees?

Every year, WELCOA members get 3 new incentive campaigns at no cost!

WELCOA 17002 Marcy Street, Suite 140 Omaha, NE 68118 | Phone: 402.827.3590 | Fax: 402.827.3594 | welcoa.org

W E L C O A N E W S & V I E W S

4

become so fixated with their smart phones and tablets that we are seeing several generations, including our youth, unable to communicate face to face with each other. It is also affecting sleep patterns. People are taking their technology to bed. The American Institute of Sleep calls it the invasion of technology in the bedroom. Oh, and people are so attached to these devices that they are not exercising. I could go on and on, but you see the point.

Your new WELCOA book is titled The Road To Wellness. What does that

expression mean to you? How does the typical American begin to achieve the road to wellness?

BLS: I wanted to write a book about getting back to basics because I think we have lost this approach with the fast-paced lifestyles we now live. The basics of healthy living are really common sense, but common sense is not too common any more. The premise of this WELCOA book is to look at the bigger picture of wellness through a mind, body and spirit approach. I love the expression, “to know and not to do, is not to know.” With this in mind, I have included several worksheets, surveys and questionnaires in this book to help people get back on track with their lives. It is so easy in today’s culture to get distracted by unhealthy habits and norms. I would like to think this WELCOA book is a gentle wake-up call to pull things back into balance.

What role does stress play in

achieving the road to wellness?

BLS: How much time do we have for this question? This is a colossal topic. I call stress “the equal opportunity destroyer.” It affects everyone. It doesn’t matter where you live, what you do for a living or even how much money you make. Everyone has stress. And apparently everyone has more stress today than decades ago. To be honest, stress is a normal part of everyday life, but we have way too much of it in our lives today.

It is so easy in today’s culture to get distracted by unhealthy habits and norms.

WELCOA 17002 Marcy Street, Suite 140 Omaha, NE 68118 | Phone: 402.827.3590 | Fax: 402.827.3594 | welcoa.org

Visit http://www.welcoa.org/store/product-landing/the-

road-to-wellness/

Are You On The Road To Wellness?

W E L C O A N E W S & V I E W S

5

First and foremost, stress is a perception—a perceived threat. Today people have a perception that they cannot get everything done that they want or need to do. Ironically, in a society where we have so much, we have people living with such high expectations that stress results when these expectations are not met. There is a whole other area of stress that was not around when I graduated from college: the stress of toxins in our food, water and living environments. Experts are calling the time we live in the age of plastics. I think we will find out years from now just how problematic our love affair with plastic has become. I think this reaches into all aspects of health and well-being. For example, experts now see that many of the petrochemical fertilizers that are used in our food supply are greatly affecting human physiology (and this may be related to the obesity epidemic). No matter what kind it is—physical, emotional, environmental—stress definitely plays a big role in our health status.

Where do you see wellness programming going in the future?

BLS: If only I had a crystal ball. Well, if things continue the way they are going, I think we will have a great expanse of wellness programming at the worksite. As science continues to explore the mind-body-spirit connection I think we will have more wellness offerings reflecting this new paradigm where the whole is always greater than the sum of the parts. I think there will definitely be more emphasis on mental well-being including the aspects of creativity and meditation (mindfulness). Of course, exercise will continue to play a big role in wellness programming. And as the baby boomers continue to age we will see more in terms of healthy aging as well. I think we will also see a great focus on spiritual well-being—not religion, but the aspects of relationships, values and a meaningful purpose in life.

If things continue the way they are going, I think we will have a great expanse of wellness programming at the worksite.

WELCOA 17002 Marcy Street, Suite 140 Omaha, NE 68118 | Phone: 402.827.3590 | Fax: 402.827.3594 | welcoa.org

Discover The 5 Great Reasons Why You & Your

Employees Will Love The All-New Spark16

Healthletter!

welcoa.org/spark16

W E L C O A N E W S & V I E W S

6

2014 WELCOA CERTIFICATION SERIES

NOT A WELCOA MEMBER? Click here for more information on WELCOA Membership or go to:

www.welcoa.org/member/benefits.php

2014’s All-New Agenda Is Power PackedThis year, we are focusing on a number of exciting topics that will help you in your quest to build and sustain a results-oriented wellness program. Each Webinar is conducted by a nationally-recognized expert in the field of workplace wellness.

Reserve Your Spot Today—Space Is Limited!

*The Webinar series is free to WELCOA Members.

If you are a current WELCOA Member and would like to register, click here. OR VISIT

http://www.welcoa.org/consulttrain/webinar.php

WELCOA 17002 Marcy Street, Suite 140 Omaha, NE 68118 | Phone: 402.827.3590 | Fax: 402.827.3594 | welcoa.org

W E L C O A N E W S & V I E W S

7