Other Archives - Page 6 of 7 - Be Well Solutions

Women’s Health Week, May 2020

Women’s Health Week National Women’s Health Week (NWHW) is being celebrated May 10-16. This campaign begins on Mother’s Day each year and serves as a reminder for women to make their health a priority. There are several steps you can take today to improve your health tomorrow. Stay up to date with well-woman visits and preventative screenings Keep an eye on your health by visiting with your doctor for regular checkups and preventative care screenings. Early detection of problems improves outcomes and makes treatment less invasive and more effective. Download and print this Screening Recommendation Guide from Be Well Solutions to see what screenings are recommended for your age and gender. Then, check with your insurance provider about which services are covered. Celebrate your body with movement Some view exercise as a chore, or simply as a means to lose [...]

Tags: corporate welllness, National Women’s Health Week, NWHW, womens health week|

Immune Health: Can You Boost Your Immune System?

Can You Boost Your Immune System? With the outbreak of COVID-19 many individuals have been wondering what they can do to “boost” their immune system naturally. Unfortunately, there is no single food, nutrient, or exercise that has been proven to prevent or treat COVID-19. A strong immune system is maintained by lifestyle habits, not single actions. You can work to support your immune system by practicing good nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management habits. All of these healthy lifestyle components support your immune system during times of illness or injury. While they won’t prevent you from getting sick, they may help reduce the severity of symptoms or duration of the illness. Supporting your immune system with diet Balanced nutrition is essential for maintaining a strong immune system. Focus on a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, whole [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, COVID, immune system, immunity, vitamin C, vitamin E|

Healthy Habits: Disrupted Routines

Disrupted Routines Some research suggests that 40% or more of our day is based on habit. That means 40% of the decisions you make and actions you take are most likely being done subconsciously based on your normal routine. But what happens when your routine and habits are disrupted? With the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States and worldwide, everyone’s lives are anything but “routine.” Many people have transitioned to working from home full-time, exercise facilities are closed, and grocery stores are having a difficult time restocking shelve to meet public demands. While many of these factors are out of our control, now is the time to adapt and form new habits and new routines that will help you through these difficult times. Start by asking yourself what you can and cannot control. Then focus on ways you [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, COVID, pandemic, routine|

Healthy Holidays: Resolutions That Stick

Resolutions That Stick Have you ever given up on a resolution because it just didn’t fit your schedule? Sometimes it’s just not realistic to start devoting an extra two hours to healthy eating and exercise when already balancing family time with a demanding work schedule. This year, we encourage you to simplify your resolution list because, all too often, we set ambitious goals that fail to hold past January. You might have an ideal image of yourself for 2020, but remember that significant life changes take longer than just a year. Instead of fizzling out early, try these tips to plan resolutions with staying power. Start slow, then build Say you have the goal to lose ten pounds by spring. Take a step back and consider the realistic daily actions and habits needed to make weight loss happen. Perhaps you [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, goals, habits, resolutions, SMART goals|

Healthy Holidays: Thoughtful and Healthy Gift Ideas

Thoughtful and Healthy Gift Ideas Even the most creative gift-givers need a little inspiration when it comes to planning the perfect holiday gift. Here’s a list of health-minded gift ideas for the special people in your life. Cooking or knife skills classes—Solidify their kitchen confidence and ability to prepare healthy foods with a certificate to a cooking or knife skills class. New sneakers or workout clothes—A new workout outfit or exercise shoes can give us the push in confidence we need to start (or continue) a regular exercise regimen. Kitchen tools—Consider a new set of cooking utensils, a carbonated water maker, a cold brew coffee maker, an immersion blender, a food processor, a high-speed blender, an immersion blender, or a spiralizer. A new cookbook—Look for titles written by Registered Dietitians for healthful recipes along with legitimate nutrition advice. High-quality olive [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, exercise gifts, fitness gifts, gift basket, gift of health, healthy gifts, healthy holidays, wellness company|

Seasonal Health: The Science Behind Flu Shots

The Science Behind Flu Shots Although influenza circulates all year, flu virus activity starts increasing in October and spikes between December and February. That means it’s time to start considering how you’ll protect yourself—and the people around you—this flu season. As with other viruses, you can reduce the chance of getting sick by regularly washing your hands and limiting contact with sick people. But influenza is different from others because it can be potentially life-threatening. During the 2017-2018 flu season, influenza contributed to nearly 80,000 deaths. It’s estimated, however, that 2017-2018’s flu vaccine helped prevent 7 million flu cases, 109,000 flu hospitalizations, and 8,000 flu deaths. The Centers for Disease Control strongly recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older as the best way to keep yourself and others healthy during flu season. Here’s some [...]

Tags: Corporate Wellness Firm, flu shot, immunization|

Your Brain on Exercise

Your Brain on Exercise If you read the BWS Newsletter even occasionally, it should be no surprise that exercise improves your health. Besides promoting a healthy body weight and helping maintain weight loss, regular exercise may also help reduce risk for chronic disease. For example, increased insulin sensitivity and HDL cholesterol from exercise give you a potent risk reduction for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. And without medication! If you need another reason to start and stick with an exercise routine, do it for your brain! Research shows that regular exercise changes parts of the brain’s structure, which can result in improved thinking and attention span along with a lower risk of cognitive decline. Avid exercisers will happily tell you about their boost in mood and energy levels following a vigorous workout. Exercise reduces stress hormones and increases levels [...]

Tags: brain health, corporate wellness, exercise, MIND, mind diet, physical activity|

Sleep Health: Melatonin

Do you sleep soundly every night? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 35% of U.S. adults do not get enough sleep on a regular basis! If you’ve ever looked for a solution for your sleep struggle, you’ve probably heard about melatonin. It’s a hormone produced naturally in various parts of the body, but primarily in the pineal gland (located near the center of the brain). Melatonin is also a widely available and commonly used dietary supplement that may provide relief from specific sleep disorders. Here’s how melatonin works in the body. When the hypothalamus (in the brain) receives a signal from your retinas (in your eyes) that nighttime is imminent (i.e., darkness in your environment), it signals the pineal gland to release melatonin. Once melatonin enters your blood and cerebrospinal fluid, it travels to distant parts [...]

Tags: calm, clean eating, corporate wellness, melatonin, nutrition, sleep, supplement, supplementation|

All About Sunscreen

You may have seen sunscreen in the news after a government-funded study found that twelve common active ingredients may be absorbed into the bloodstream. Only six of the studied ingredients are commonly used in the United States: ensulizole, octisalate, homosalate, octocrylene, octinoxate, oxybenzone, and avobenzone. The study’s author noted that just because ingredients get absorbed doesn’t make them harmful or unsafe; we don’t know enough about these ingredients to deem them as such. All this small pilot study tells us is that these ingredients may enter the body in levels greater than previously understood. The American Academy of Dermatology commented that these ingredients have been used for several decades without any reported side effects in people, so it’s not time to ditch your sunscreen supply (unless it’s expired)! We can soon expect sunscreen manufacturers to fund research to fill knowledge [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, melanin, skin health, SPF, sunscreen, UB, UV|

Sit Less, Maximize Your Routine

Excessive sitting—coined “sitting disease”—is linked to over 30 chronic diseases and conditions. By some estimates, sitting too much can harm your health more than smoking! Over a half-dozen studies also report that prolonged sitting (and a low daily step count) can even undo the beneficial effects of exercise. There’s a simple fix that you can start doing today to protect your body from a sedentary lifestyle; find more ways to move! When you get up and move, all parts of your body benefit. Moving more increases blood flow to your brain so you release more feel-good chemicals that increase productivity, improve mood, and reduce fatigue and food cravings. You’ll also move more blood throughout your body, helping recirculate blood that may have pooled in your lower limbs while sitting. Standing will engage your core, activating your abdominal muscles, protecting your [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, exercise, standing desk|