Other Archives - Page 5 of 7 - Be Well Solutions

Understanding Diabetes

Understanding Diabetes Read Time: 2 min 2 sec November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is a condition where people have higher than normal blood sugar (glucose). There are a few different types of diabetes, but type 2 diabetes is by far the most common. Nearly 35 million Americans have diabetes; that’s more than one in every 10 people. Another 20% have prediabetes, a condition where sugar values are higher than normal, but not high enough to qualify for a diagnosis of diabetes. Prediabetes usually lasts for years before type 2 diabetes develops. Diabetes has serious complications, including blindness, kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and heart disease. Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. The good news is that about 90% of diabetes cases can be prevented through improvement in nutrition and exercise. In addition, most cases [...]

Tags: blood glucose, blood sugar, corporate wellness, diabetes, prediabetes, risk factor|

Supporting a Healthy Immune System

Supporting a Healthy Immune System Read Time: 2 min 54 sec Ways to boost immunity has become a hot topic as of late, but unfortunately, there are many factors about our immune system that we do not yet understand. To begin with, the immune system is an incredibly complex system and not a single entity. It is composed of multiple mechanisms throughout our body that recognize and destroy potential invaders like bacteria and viruses. Networks of cells and tissues are programmed to work in concert to properly protect our bodies from illness. There is still much research to be done to understand the details of our unique immune response. This complexity is one possible reason why research has not yet proven that any single lifestyle behavior or habit can directly enhance immune function. However, that doesn’t mean that lifestyle and [...]

Tags: clean eating, corporate welllness, diet, exercise, healthy diet, immunizations, nutrient-dense diet, nutrition, sleep, stres management, stress|

Mental Health Awareness

Mental Health Awareness Read Time: 1 min 58 sec Mental health refers to your overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Mental health is important at every stage of life and it reflects how we handle stress, relate to others, and the kinds of choices we make. A person’s mental health can change over time as they have added stress in their life. Part of mental wellbeing involves balancing ongoing stressors with proper coping strategies and interventions. Mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol abuse are a source of tremendous pain and suffering. They are also very common health problems in society today. Researchers tell us that each year 1 in 5 Americans will experience a diagnosable mental illness, and more than half of us will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in [...]

Tags: corporate welllness, mental health, mental health awareness, mental illness|

Back to School, September 2020

Back to School, Fall 2020 Read Time: 1 min 35 sec The global pandemic is presenting challenges to school systems across the country. In an effort to balance the benefits of on-site learning with public health, many school districts are moving forward with in-person classes or a hybrid of in-person and remote. Other districts favor completely remote learning. Each scenario presents new challenges but working together with your children’s teachers can help keep everyone healthy and engaged. Back to School Resources from the CDC Heading back to the classroom this fall can be exciting for students. For younger children, the uncertainty of a new classroom environment, different routines, and protocols to follow may prove to be stressful. To start a conversation about these uncertainties, utilize the CDC’s talking points to help address questions children may have about entering back into [...]

Tags: 2020, back to school, COVID|

Social Media and Mental Health

Social Media and Mental Health Read Time: 2 min 26 sec As the United States continues its efforts towards containing the coronavirus, Americans are still encouraged to practice social distancing and limit unnecessary gatherings. As a result, many people have turned to social media and other digital platforms to stay connected. More than seven out of ten Americans use some type of social media. Social media is a safe and beneficial way to stay in contact with friends and family, and reduce feelings of isolation; however, some people may experience unintended consequences. Connection in a Time of Physical Distance Physical distancing from others is critical to stop the spread of coronavirus. Social isolation has become a concern for many, especially the elderly, individuals who live alone, and those considered at high risk. For this reason, there has been a rise [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, mental health, social media|

National Immunization Awareness Month

Immunization Awareness Month Read Time: 1 min 7 sec August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) to highlight the importance of getting recommended vaccines and to remind us all that simple vaccinations prevent tragedy and save countless lives. You have the power to protect yourself and your family against serious diseases like measles, whooping cough, certain cancers, shingles, and influenza because of vaccines. Be Well Solutions encourages you to use this month to discuss your vaccination status with your primary care physician to ensure you and your family are up to date. As your children head back to school, make sure vaccination is at the top of your checklist. The CDC’s Interactive Vaccine Guide provides information on vaccines recommended during pregnancy and throughout your child’s life. The adult vaccine assessment tool helps individuals decide which vaccines are right [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, flu, flu shot, immunization, National Immunization Awareness Month, niam, vaccine|

The Importance of Community Engagement

The Importance of Community Engagement Read Time: 2 min 17 sec The coronavirus outbreak has created a “new normal” in our society. For many Americans, our homes have become our offices, we make fewer trips to the grocery store, avoid public places and have much less connection to our community than we once did. Despite our best intentions, our social interactions may have changed significantly. More and more conversations, meetings and celebrations are taking place through virtual platforms. Being an active community member is vital because humans are social and need personal connection. A sense of community can provide support, purpose, and a feeling of belonging. These elements are critical to our mental health – especially when we may already be experiencing symptoms of loneliness and isolation. During this time, it is important to find new ways to stay connected [...]

Tags: corporate welllness, emotional health, volunteer work|

Healthy Vision Month, July 2020

Healthy Vision Month Read Time: 2 min 4 sec According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 3.4 million Americans 40 years of age or older are blind or visually impaired. For most of us, a decline in vision and eye health is not an inevitable part of aging. In fact, many vision problems could be avoided through simple prevention measures and routine eye exams. Focusing on a healthy lifestyle and protecting your eyes from outside elements (UV rays) are some of the best ways to protect your eyes and vision. Even if you lead a healthy lifestyle and do not currently have any eye issues, it is still important to have your vision checked each year. According to the CDC, nearly one in five adults in the US are at high risk for serious vision loss, [...]

Tags: corporate welllness, eye injury, eyes, healthy vision, sunglasses, vision|

Exercise Spotlight: Targeting Belly Fat

Can You Target Belly Fat with Exercise? Read Time: 2 min 11 sec Chances are at some point in your life you have wondered what the best way is to shed fat and lose inches around the waist. With much buzz around the “quarantine-15” and summer quickly approaching, this is a question on many people’s minds. Although everyone carries some amount of fat in their abdomen, having too much in the stomach area can cause problems. Having excess weight in the midsection, otherwise known as excess abdominal adiposity, is associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance (a risk factor for type 2 diabetes) and heart disease. So how can I target this pesky belly fat? Despite what you read on the internet, there are no magic foods or workouts that target and burn just belly fat. When your body [...]

Tags: abdominal fat, belly fat, corporate welllness, myths|

Stroke Awareness Month

Stroke Awareness Month May is recognized as Stroke Awareness Month. Up to 80% of stroke cases can be prevented through lifestyle changes, and yet it remains the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Non-fatal strokes can also be tragic and life-altering. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity are controllable stroke risk factors. You can manage these risks by eating a well-balanced diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake and not smoking. Exercise plays an important role in reducing your risk of stroke by lowering high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults need 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity or 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. To reap the most benefit, this exercise should be broken up and spread out throughout the week. There [...]

Tags: cholesterol, corporate wellness, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, stroke, stroke awareness, weight loss|