Why Living Indoors Is Making You Sick, Tired, and Burned Out | Dr. John La Puma - EP 776

Passion Struck with John R. Miles

John R. Miles

Mental Health, Alternative Health, Education, Self-improvement, Health & Fitness

4.7 • 779 Ratings

🗓️ 4 June 2026

⏱️ 65 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with physician, bestselling author, and lifestyle medicine pioneer Dr. John La Puma to explore what he calls the Indoor Epidemic—the growing disconnect between the environments humans evolved to live in and the environments where we now spend nearly 93% of our lives.

From artificial light and screen saturation to poor indoor air quality and the loss of daily contact with nature, Dr. La Puma explains how modern indoor living may be quietly contributing to fatigue, burnout, brain fog, poor sleep, chronic stress, and declining well-being. He argues that many of the symptoms we blame on mindset, aging, or productivity pressures may actually stem from environmental dysregulation.
Together, John and Dr. La Puma explore the science behind morning sunlight, outdoor exercise, forest bathing, healthy soil, immune function, cognitive performance, and why nature may be one of the most overlooked forms of medicine available today.

In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why burnout may be an environmental problem—not just a psychological one
• How indoor living disrupts sleep, energy, focus, and recovery
• The surprising cognitive costs of poor air quality and excessive screen time
• Why morning sunlight is critical for deep sleep and long-term health
• How forest bathing strengthens immunity and reduces stress
• Simple ways to turn everyday outdoor moments into powerful health interventions

This conversation is ultimately about alignment—whether the environments we've created are supporting the biology we've inherited, and what happens when we reconnect with the natural rhythms that help us thrive.

Passion Struck is the #1 Health and Wellness Podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to helping people live intentionally, unlock human potential, and create lives filled with meaning, purpose, and mattering.

Limited Time Offers:

FODZYME: Get 30% off your first order when you go to: ICanEatAgain.com/PASSIONSTRUCK
Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at SHOPIFY.COM/PASSIONSTRUCK

Full Show Notes Here

Download the companion Substack Article and Workbook

Learn more about Dr. John La Puma:
Website: https://www.drjohnlapuma.com/
Get the book: Indoor Epidemic

Connect with John

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/
Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Coming up next on Passionstruck.
0:02.1	In the last couple of generations, we've moved inside as a species and never left.
0:09.8	We spend as 93% of our time inside in buildings or in vehicles, 86 and 7, if you're doing the math.
0:18.7	And that means we spend our time in the office or in a classroom.
0:24.6	Our commute is in a vehicle of some type, almost always.
0:28.6	Our wind-down rituals at night, what are those?
0:32.6	Those are screens for the most part.
0:34.6	We're watching TV, we're doing something on a tablet or a computer,
0:38.6	or on our phone.
0:40.7	For us, the environment made a choice for us to be inside
0:46.1	before we knew that there was a choice to be made.
0:48.9	Welcome to PassionStruck.
0:50.4	I'm your host, John Miles.
0:52.1	This is the show where we explore the art of human flourishing
0:55.6	and what it truly means to live like it matters. Each week, I sit down with change makers,
1:01.1	creators, scientists, and everyday heroes to decode the human experience and uncover the tools
1:06.9	that help us lead with meaning, heal what hurts, and pursue the fullest expression of
1:12.1	who we're capable of becoming. Whether you're designing your future, developing as a leader,
1:16.7	or seeking deeper alignment in your life, this show is your invitation to grow with purpose
1:21.8	and act with intention. Because the secret to a life of deep purpose, connection, and impact
1:27.3	is choosing to live like you matter.
1:36.4	Hello, friends, and welcome back to episode 776 of PassionStruck.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 25 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from John R. Miles, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of John R. Miles and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.