Reset, Rise, and De-Stress: Holistic Mental Health

In this episode of The Hidden Why, I sit down with Miriam Putnam, Certified Wellness Coach, Freedom from Stress Counsellor, and holistic mental health advocate.

Miriam shares her deeply personal journey into wellness advocacy after witnessing firsthand the shortcomings of the traditional mental health system through her mother’s struggles with misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment. That experience sparked a lifelong quest to understand the true roots of health, healing, and human flourishing.

Together, we explore why stress sits at the centre of so many emotional and physical challenges, how lifestyle factors often go overlooked in conventional healthcare, and what practical steps we can take to reclaim our wellbeing.

This conversation is an invitation to look beyond symptom management and toward a more holistic approach to body, mind, and soul.

 Miriam shares her fascinating family history, including connections to Crayola, Putnam Publishing, and Amelia Earhart, and reveals the personal experiences that led her to question the traditional mental health model. She explores why chronic stress may be one of the biggest hidden drivers of illness and explains the important difference between healthy stress and long-term stress overload.

Miriam discusses four foundational pillars of wellness: exercise, sleep, nutrition, and comprehensive health testing, and highlights how hidden infections, nutrient deficiencies, and other bodily imbalances can significantly impact mental health. She also emphasises the importance of creating a future-focused vision for life and introduces her “mind muscle” exercise for strengthening positive mental pathways. Throughout the conversation, Miriam shares insights on gratitude, awareness, and the power of small daily choices, offering a practical framework for building wellness from the inside out through purpose, hope, and personal responsibility.

Key Topics Discussed:

• ● Stress affects far more than our emotions; it impacts every system in the body.
• ● Sustainable wellness starts with strong foundations: movement, sleep, nutrition, and awareness.
• ● Many health challenges may have deeper root causes that deserve exploration.
• ● Lasting change happens when we focus on where we want to go, not just what’s wrong today.
• ● Small daily actions, repeated consistently, can transform our wellbeing over time.

About Miriam Putnam:

Miriam Putnam is a Certified Wellness Coach and Freedom from Stress Counsellor with more than 25 years of experience advocating for holistic mental health.

Driven by personal experiences and a passion for helping others find lasting wellness, Miriam works with individuals seeking practical, whole-person approaches to reducing stress, improving health, and creating a more purposeful life.

She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health and is writing a book about her journey and insights into holistic mental wellness.

Action from This Episode:

• ● Take a moment this week to assess your own foundations.
• ● How are you sleeping?
• ● How are you moving?
• ● How are you nourishing your body?
• ● And perhaps most importantly…
• ● How much stress are you carrying without even realising it?
• ● Awareness is often the first step toward healing.
• ● Peace, passion, and purpose.

Resources & Links:

Website:

Miriam Putnam

Connect with Miriam:

• Instagram
• Linkedin
• Facebook