New Lessons Learned
Posted: June 02, 2011
As we work through the process of changing the culture and
attitudes around fitness and wellness within BayCare Clinic, we are
learning many interesting things. First of all, I have to say that
this is a daunting task which requires tenacity and patience.
In reflection, as a nation we have experienced some dramatic
changes in health culture over the years.
Remember when cigarette smoking was rampant and socially
acceptable in public places? People smoked in their homes, offices,
and cars. Ashtrays were everywhere, many outside the doorways of
public buildings and on every restaurant table. Commercial airlines
even allowed smoking! Cigarette ads were on billboards, television,
and in magazines. Remember the Marlboro man? (Unfortunately, three
men who appeared in Marlboro advertisements - Wayne McLaren, David
McLean, and Dick Hammer all died of lung cancer, thus earning
Marlboro cigarettes the nickname "Cowboy Killers").
Based on the well-known health risks of smoking, our culture has
slowly evolved. Now, smoking in public buildings is unlawful.
Cigarette ads are almost non-existent (in the U.S.). Cigarette
packs are all labeled with health warnings. Commercials are now
running ANTI-smoking campaigns. (In California, home of the
longest-running comprehensive tobacco control program, adult
smoking rates declined from 22.7% in 1988 to 13.3% in 2006.) The
ashtrays have disappeared. Restaurants, hotels, and car rental
agencies are actually advertising "non-smoking" environments! What
a dramatic change in a period of 30 years!
People don't naturally like to change their smoking, dietary,
and exercise patterns so you are putting them out of their comfort
zone in asking them to do so. But, now for the good news… there are
many unexpected positives as we work through this cultural change!
The obvious benefits, as obesity declines and fitness improves,
include diminished suffering from stress, hypertension, insomnia,
high blood pressure, diabetes, headache, asthma, etc. But the more
subtle benefits are also well-worth the efforts!
For example, within BayCare Clinic, we are finding a new zeal
within the company. When combining health and fitness with work,
the atmosphere becomes more fun! We have competitions which rev up
the spirit and interest in exercise. People who normally would not
have interacted within the company find themselves doing so through
fitness classes, etc. Employees interact more. Yes, exercise is
actually becoming a social media! It becomes a topic of
conversation, and a source of pride. It becomes a reason to meet
outside of work, or to take breaks together. The rewards for
winning a competition are enjoyed, and sometimes even paraded
around other competitors in the spirit of humorous ribbing.
Subtle social pressure around exercise begins to mount. People
who are choosing not to exercise begin to feel more "pressure" to
jump in. Pot lucks begin to change as employees start to find
healthier, lower carbohydrate ways to celebrate birthdays and
holidays. There's a great feeling that you get after a work-out
that is beginning to be identified, discussed, and shared by the
staff. Fitness tips, tricks, and techniques are being learned and
shared. Teams are forming and competing with other companies. We
can see and feel the "fitness snowball" slowly starting to roll
down the hill!
I am confident that, at some point in time, the benefits of
eating healthy and exercise will be so abundantly apparent that
even the most resistant employees will get engaged because they
won't want to be left behind!
Written by:
Jeff Mason, CEO
BayCare Clinic, LLP