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Don't Sit On Your Asana: A preliminary assessment of the CenteredBeing workplace well-being intervention
Theoretical Approach The CenteredBeing intervention (Carmack, 2009) was designed based on self-determination theory in order to increase participant intrinsic motivation for long-term adherence to daily movement and stress-reduction practices that combat the health risks of work/life stress and sedentarism.
Intervention Design The CenteredBeing intervention educates participants about the health risks of stress and sedentarism and teaches practitioners how to combat and mitigate these risks by performing the CenteredBeing model. Practitioners are (1) taught to fight daily sedentarism by performing easy-to-follow functional daily movements and postures (asanas). Participants are also taught to link these movements with (2) mindfulness practices and/or (3) positive intrapersonal communication in order to (1) mitigate the health risks of stress and sedentarism and (2) achieve optimal work/life balance and well-being.
Evaluation Preliminary data indicates that the intervention can both (1) persuade participants that movement and stress-reduction practices should be included as a normative part of their day and (2) create behavior change surrounding increased movement, and/or mindfulness practices. The intervention has received favorable support from the Pan American / World Health Organization (see link provided).
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsAssessment of individual and community needs for health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Occupational health and safety
Public health or related education
Learning Objectives:
Describe the biopsychosocial health risks of chronic stress and sedentarism in the workplace
Explain how the CenteredBeing intervention teaches practitioners a daily movement profile and mindfulness routine (aka "yoga at your desk")to mitigate these biopsychosocial health risks
Discuss how the intervention was designed and is now delivered during a one-hour workshop with follow-up online media
Assess the intervention's success
Formulate recommendations for follow-up studies and the design of workplace well-being interventions
Keyword(s): Well-Being, Workforce
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a health promotion educator, scholar, consultant and campaign designer for over 20 years. I hold a PhD in Health Communication and an MEd in Health and Kinesiology, and I have presented my research and social marketing campaigns at multiple international conferences, including APHA (2012). I have collaborated with the Pan American/World Health Organization on occupational intervention design, and I have taught college courses in health, well-being and program management throughout the US.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes
| Name of Organization | Clinical/Research Area | Type of relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Body Doctrine | I was a provider for the services that are examined in this exploratory study. Some of the participans paid me for coaching/consulting services which are tested in the study. | Consultant and Employment (includes retainer) |
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.