Kayla Repp, Author at Be Well Solutions

5 Tips for Stress-Free Resolutions in the New Year

Happy New Year! What better time to reflect on your past year and formulate your goals for the year ahead than now? Choosing your resolutions for the New Year might be easy, but sticking to them is often stressful and challenging. We start with good intentions, but between living up to our expectations and maintaining consistency, the pressure can become enough to make us throw in the towel. Here are five tips to keep your New Year’s resolutions stress-free and more successful. Be Realistic It’s easy to get excited about setting lofty goals we’d like to reach by the end of the year. But don't let that excitement keep you from setting realistic and attainable goals. Stress can pile on when you bite off more than you can chew. Think about your expectations with your resolutions. Are they realistically in [...]

Tags: #consistency, #NewYear, #Realistic, #StressLess, goals, health, resolutions|

Unleashing the Health Benefits of Canines

We all need companionship, and everyone benefits from healthy relationships. We usually think of people-based relationships in this context, but the strong association between humans and dogs has been documented since the Stone Age. Many pet owners understand the benefits of owning a dog. Now a growing body of research is supporting the long-time observation that owning a dog can provide significant emotional and physical benefits. The Canine Connection: A Source of Health and Happiness In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, dogs emerge as natural stressbusters. The unconditional love and companionship they provide have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels in several scientific studies. The rhythmic act of petting a dog triggers the release of oxytocin, promoting feelings of calmness and well-being in humans. The social aspect of dog ownership can't be overlooked. Whether it's meeting [...]

Tags: companion, dogs, exercise, health, lifestyle, social interaction, stress relief, volunteer, walking, wellness|

Our Top 10 Nutrition Gifts for 2023

Spiralizer Sneak in more veggies or shake up pasta night with a spiralizer. From zucchini to carrots, it can make eating vegetables more fun for kids and adults alike. The Spiralizer Ultimate 10 is a version that comes with several blade choices to fit a variety of options. Meal Planning Notepad A meal planning notepad can help you organize your week and stay on track with healthier meal planning. Make more mindful eating choices by planning daily meals and a grocery list to avoid over or under-purchasing. Meal Prep Containers Make meal prep a breeze with leak-proof, multi-compartment, microwave-safe containers. A set of containers will make it easier to fill at once and then grab and go each morning. Gift the Rubbermaid BPA Free Food Storage Containers for your meal-prepper. Kitchen Conversion Chart A quick conversion chart is helpful for [...]

Tags: gifts, health, holiday, nutrition, wellness|

6 Ways to Stress Less This Winter

The winter months can seem exceptionally long, especially when cold and dreary, bringing their fair share of stress this season as well! Between the holidays, busy schedules, and changes in daylight and weather, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To help give you a respite, we’ve compiled six ways to stress less this winter. Incorporate Physical Activity Exercise is often less consistent this time of year, but staying active is a great way to manage stress, among many other health benefits. Add some physical activity to each day. Consider indoor options like the gym, a class, or home workouts whenever the weather isn’t conducive to exercising outside. If you’re heading outdoors for a workout, dress appropriately for the weather and wear reflective gear during the hours of limited daylight. Eat Mindfully Stress less about your food intake by being more intentional [...]

Tags: exercise, health, mindfulness, nature, physical activity, relax, stress relief, wellness|

Top Fitness Gifts for Every Exerciser

Trendy Essentials Workout Games. Make exercise routines fun by incorporating workout games. Games like Fitness Dice, Exercise Cards, or The HIIT Game can add spark to any workout session. These activities are also a great way to get the whole family involved in fitness. Jewelry Travel Case. Keep your rings and other jewelry safe and protected while you’re exercising. Whether at the gym or on the run, a jewelry travel case can help. Choose one like the Ring Thing keychain, which holds multiple rings and easily clips to your keys or gym bag. Moisture Wicking Socks. We all joke about gifting socks, but these will surely be a hit. From preventing frostbite to blisters, moisture-wicking socks are necessary and inexpensive must-haves. Gift a pack like these women’s or men’s options and have your exerciser set for the season. The Home [...]

Tags: exercise, exercise gifts, health, wellness, wellness gifts|

Celebrate with Healthy Nutrition

The holiday season is a time of celebration, family gatherings, and, of course, holiday parties. While it's often easy to over-indulge in festive treats and decadent dishes, it's also possible to maintain a commitment to health. With a little planning and some mindful choices, you can enjoy the festivities while keeping your nutrition on track. We want you to maximize holiday fun and feel good about the decisions you make throughout the season. Here are a few strategies from our dietitians and health coaches to help you balance celebration and wellbeing at upcoming holiday parties. Plan Ahead Holiday budgets are a great idea. Whether we are budgeting finances or calories, it is helpful to understand reasonable limits. Know what a healthy amount of food and drink should be for a person of your size and stature and keep that in [...]

Tags: exercise, health, Healthy Dish, healthy holidays, mindful eating, nutrition, wellness|

5 Ways to Show Gratitude and Give Back While Staying Active

As the year winds down and we enter the busy season of celebrating the holidays, it’s easy to lose sight of counting our blessings. It can be even harder to keep up with healthy habits like exercise. One of the best ways to express gratitude is by finding ways to give back to your community and loved ones. According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, “Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood, and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain, and [the] risk of disease.” Did you know there are ways to express gratitude while staying active? Talk about a win-win situation for your health and wellness! Celebrate this season of thankfulness by trying out these active opportunities to give back. Incorporate an App You can find an app for just about everything these days, [...]

Tags: Accountability, Giving, gratitude, health, volunteer, wellness|

Building a Home Gym

Remote work and varying schedules have caused home workouts to become increasingly popular. This rise in popularity has encouraged people to consider creating space in their homes specifically for exercise to make it more convenient and consistent. Building the proper space might feel daunting, so you might be wondering where to start when it comes to setting it up. Consider the following aspects to help you design a space that fits your needs within your budget. Plan Your Space Start by planning out your space. While it might be a dreamy option, home gyms do not need to be large spaces filled with expensive equipment. Even the corner of a small room can offer plenty of space if planned appropriately. Think about the type of workouts you intend to do, how much space will be adequate, and what equipment, if [...]

Tags: health, Home Gym, home workout, wellness, Workout Equipment|

5 Tips for Managing Stress this Holiday Season

The holidays bring laughter and joy, but they often become overwhelming and stressful in a hurry. Schedules fill up while our wallets empty, and endless obligations can leave us feeling exhausted with little time to think about healthy routines. Use the tips below to stay on track and enjoy the season. Be Mindful Take a moment to be present. When practicing mindfulness, you can be more intentional about your daily decisions. Think about how much you’re committing to and where you can create more balance in your day. You can practice mindfulness in every aspect of your holidays, including planning, spending, eating, and exercising. To be more mindful, pause, practice deep breathing, and ask yourself reflection questions. These questions help to understand the what and why behind your choices. Plan Ahead It’s so easy to get caught up in the [...]

Tags: Be Mindful, Enjoy, Expectations, health, holidays, wellness|

5 Ways to Avoid Burnout

Overpacked schedules seem to be the norm these days. Whether our plate is full of work deadlines, family obligations, or a combination of both, the stress of a packed routine can quickly get overwhelming. Consecutive seasons of busy schedules can leave us feeling burnt out and exhausted. As we try to keep up with the day-to-day agenda, it’s common to see healthy habits slip down on our priority list. Learning to avoid burnout can help us succeed with daily tasks, manage stress, and stay on track with goals. Prioritize Sleep Sleep affects almost every aspect of our health and wellness, so allowing your body adequate rest should be on top of your priority list. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine,[1] “The results identified ‘too little sleep (< 6 hours)’ as the main risk factor for [...]

Tags: health, healthy habits, Resiliency, Set Boundaries, sleep, wellness, Work Life Balance|

About Kayla Repp