Kayla Repp, Author at Be Well Solutions

Balancing Hormones with Exercise: The Link Between Fitness and Hormonal Health

Exercise can impact each system of the body, including the endocrine system. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine1, “The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs. It uses hormones to control and coordinate your body's metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development, and response to injury, stress, and mood.” Exercise influences hormone production, making the two directly related. Let’s explore a few areas where fitness and hormonal health are related. Blood Sugar and Exercise Insulin is a hormone that helps our bodies properly use or store glucose. During exercise, insulin production slows down so our bodies can focus on using the glucose for energy rather than storing it for future use. The body will also increase the production of the hormone glucagon during exercise to prevent blood sugar from going too low. Glucagon helps convert glycogen (stored glucose) [...]

Tags: #bloodsugar, #cognitivefunction, #endocrinesystem, #insulin, exercise, health, stress, wellness|

Making the Most of Remote Wellness and Telehealth

Remote Wellness and Telehealth is a rapidly growing industry with no signs of slowing down. Harvard Health1 defines telehealth “as the delivery of health care services at a distance through the use of technology. It can include everything from conducting medical visits over the computer, to monitoring patients' vital signs remotely.” Navigating all the uses in this technology-driven field can be a tall task. We’ll explore the extensive varieties, pros, and cons to help you get the most out of these advanced features. Numerous Uses and Varieties: Virtual Appointments. Meet with a physician virtually using your phone, tablet, or computer for non-emergent health concerns or questions. Share Messages and Data. Share information back and forth with your health provider. They can send test results, diagnoses, and treatment plans. You can instantly respond with questions, current medical history lists, or other pertinent information. [...]

Tags: #coaching, #counseling, #remotewellness, #telehealth #virtualappointments, #virtual, health, wellness|

Munch Mindfully with Strategies to Overcome Emotional Eating

During stressful or overwhelming days, it can be easy to turn to food to help us cope. We start craving comfort foods and indulgent snacks but usually feel guilty or even more stressed. Munch more mindfully with these strategies to help overcome emotional eating. Check Your Hunger As you experience a comfort food craving, check in with your hunger cues. If your go-to method of coping with stressful situations has been food for longer than you can remember, it can be hard to differentiate real hunger from emotional hunger. Take a moment to ask yourself if your body is physically hungry. Try delaying the snack or sipping water to see if the hunger subsides or continues. Also, ask yourself if your craving is for a specific food item. If your craving is specific, it can indicate emotional hunger. Checking your [...]

Tags: #emotionaleating, #foodjournal, #healthieroptions, #mindfuleating, #stressrelief, health, hunger, nutrition, wellness|

The Health Impacts of Social Connection

Over the last several years, especially during the height of the pandemic, there has been a focus in workplace wellness on the impacts from loneliness and lack of social connections on health and wellbeing – and rightfully so. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, social connection can encompass the interactions, relationships, roles, and sense of connection that individuals, communities, or society may experience. Our connections with family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors are just some of what make up social connections. Other facets of social connection include our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and digital platforms. Social connection is a fundamental human need, just like the need for water, food, and shelter. When humans lack social connections and a sense of community, the associated health benefits are compromised, and can lead to poor health and reduced longevity. Research notes that social isolation [...]

Tags: #socialconnections #health #wellness #nutrition #physicalactivity #sleep #treatment|

Holistic Approaches to Managing Chronic Stress and Anxiety

Stress can impact everybody system, making it necessary to consider a holistic approach to managing it. While we can’t eliminate all stress, combining physical, mental, and social strategies can help build effective and lasting ways to be more resilient during stressful times. Balanced Nutrition Anytime we’re in stressful situations, it’s common to notice appetite changes. Whether we’re prone to snacking on anything in sight, skipping meals, or craving comfort foods, our nutrition typically takes a hit. However, balanced nutrition is one of our body’s top energy sources, and it can help us healthily manage stress. You don't need to begin a strict or extreme fad diet that can cause even more stress. Instead, think about ways to be more mindful of your eating. Intentionally incorporate more colorful fruits, veggies, lean protein, and whole grains in your meals and snacks. Make [...]

Tags: #Anxiety, #HolisticWellness, health, meditation, mindfulness, nutrition, SocialSupport, stress, wellness|

HIIT vs. LISS: Which Cardio Workout is Right for You?

Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise is an integral part of a balanced workout routine. The numerous heart health benefits include better blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight management. It also lowers the risk for conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It’s one of the best things you can do to care for your heart. But how do you choose what kind of cardio is best for you? Let’s break down popular forms like high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and low-intensity steady state (LISS). We’ll discuss benefits and differences to help you formulate a personalized plan. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, is a training form with bouts of near-maximal effort followed by a recovery period and is then repeated for several cycles. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)1, the benefits of HIIT include improved aerobic and [...]

Tags: #LISS, cardio, health, hiit, lifestyle, wellness, workout|

6 Tips for Heart-Healthy Eating

Our daily food choices directly impact our health, especially our heart health. While we don’t have control over every risk factor for heart disease, we can control our nutrition. The good news is that you don’t need an extreme fad diet to see a positive impact. Here are a few tips that go a long way for heart-healthy benefits. Eat the Rainbow The different colors in fruits and vegetables point to various nutrients and have specific benefits. For example, red varieties, such as beets and strawberries, contain lycopene. Lycopene can promote heart health and lower stroke and cancer risk. Choosing a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables ensures an assortment of nutrients. Check out Mayo Clinic1 for more information on the health benefits of each color. Choose Healthy Fats Fats are a vital part of your diet for energy and [...]

Tags: #EattheRainbow, #HealthyEating, #HeartHealth, health, wellness|

Mindful Eating – Making Every Bite Matter

In our fast-paced, modern lives, the act of eating has become more of a routine than a mindful experience. Instead of appreciating the food we are putting into our bodies, eating becomes a mindless habit that accompanies everyday tasks such as answering emails, watching TV, or driving. The prevalence of quick meals, processed foods, and distracted eating has uncoupled us from the essence of nourishing our bodies. Mindful eating has gained prominence as a holistic approach to creating a healthier relationship with food. By paying attention to the moment and savoring each bite, mindful eating encourages people to make every morsel matter. For many this fosters a more conscious and satisfying culinary experience. When applied to eating, mindfulness encourages individuals to engage all their senses; to appreciate the colors, textures, and flavors of each dish, and to be attuned to [...]

Tags: #mindfuleating, health, nutrition, wellness|

Wearable Fitness Technology Trends for 2024

The popularity of wearable fitness devices isn’t slowing down anytime soon. It’s only gaining steam! We’re here to unpack the latest technology trends for fitness wearables and trackers. Wearables for Stress and Sleep Management Health and wellness wearables have gone beyond simple step counting, with many now incorporating stress and sleep management features. Some even focus solely on these features. The Apollo Wearable1 uses silent vibrations to help promote stress management, relaxation, focus, and better sleep. They also have an app to use with the bands and with Oura Rings2 as well. Another tech gadget bursting onto the wellness scene is Muse3. Muse is a headband wearable designed to help improve meditation practices. It uses an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure brain activity during personalized meditations and monitors heart rate and breath to make the most out of each practice. Their [...]

Tags: #FitnessTechnology, #Wearables, fitness, health, trends, wellness|

Setting SMART Goals for the New Year

The new year brings new goals and a renewed motivation to reach them. However, setting goals and accomplishing them can often be two different stories. Did you know your approach to goal setting can affect your success? We frequently aim to exercise more or eat healthier, only to find we rarely stick with it because the objective is too vague and that makes it easy to procrastinate. According to Forbes1, “Vividly describing your goals in written form is strongly associated with goal success, and people who very vividly describe or picture their goals are anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals than people who don’t.” As you set your intentions this year, consider making SMART Goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. Specific Make your goals as specific as possible so you know what [...]

Tags: #Attainable, #GoalSetting, #Measurable, #Relevant, #SMARTGoals, #Specific, #Timely, health, wellness|

About Kayla Repp