corporate wellness Archives - Page 7 of 21

Sleep and Tea

It is ironic that Caffeine Awareness Month is the same as Sleep Awareness Month. Before we plan to hit the pillow, eliminating caffeine within six hours of bedtime is a good idea. Thankfully caffeine-free teas come in several satisfying varieties. Use these teas to add an herbal benefit toward healthier sleep. Tea and Caffeine Generally, tea has less caffeine than coffee does. But the amount of caffeine varies depending on the way the tea is processed. There are 2 main varieties of tea, Camellia sinensis and Herbal. Camellia sinensis tea, depending on the processing of the leaf, is used to make black, green, and white teas. Camellia sinensis teas vary in caffeine content and can be processed to produce a decaffeinated version. Herbal tea is a combination of any plant life other than the camellia sinensis. Herbal teas do not [...]

Tags: caffeine, corporate wellness, sleep, sleep hygiene, tea, wellness|

Cooking With Fresh Herbs

Skip the salt shaker and start adding flavor to your home cooked meals with the help of fresh herbs. Herbs are a delicious and health conscious way to add life to dull dishes, without packing on the sodium from salt. Some of the world’s most renowned chefs swear these versatile leaves are the secret to a perfect dish. Coming in a variety of forms and flavors, herbs are sure to bring delight with every bite. Follow our guide to use more in your own kitchen. With these tips, your friends and family will think you’re a top chef! Basil This clover-like herb is one of the most popular in the United States. Basil comes in a variety of different forms with the most popular being sweet Italian and Thai purple. Adding basil to your dishes will give it a [...]

Tags: basil, chives, cilantro, clean eating, cooking, corporate wellness, dill, heart healthy, heart month, herbs, mint, nutrition, parsley, recipe, rosemary|

Don’t be Salty: The Facts on Sodium

The month of February is dedicated to heart health. A heart healthy lifestyle focuses on low sodium foods, a variety of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and regular physical activity. Making small changes to your diet can help support your heart. Let’s focus on some ways to decrease your sodium intake. Sodium is an essential nutrient, but most Americans consume too much sodium. Excess sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart and kidney disease along with stroke. Check out the following myths and the low sodium shopping list to help you kick excess sodium out of your diet. Myth 1: Sea salt is healthier than table salt. Fact: Sea salt and table salt contain the same amount of sodium. Limit the use of all types of salt (sea salt, table salt, Himalayan pink [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, heart healthy, heart month, low sodium, recipe|

Keeping Exercise Fun for Kids

An alarming 76% of children ages 6-17 do not meet the daily physical activity recommendations given by the Department of Health (CDC). Highlighting the importance of physical activity at an early age will encourage continued participation as an adult. As we know all too well, it’s hard to make a habit out of something you don’t like doing. This emphasizes why it is so pivotal for kids to engage in physical activity that they find fun and enjoyable. Exercise for Healthy Hearts Heart disease is often thought of as an adult’s issue. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics notes hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) has been found in children as young as 10. This shows how a heart-healthy future starts with the habits formed in childhood. Regular physical activity plays a large role in improved cardiovascular function and will [...]

Tags: childhood obesity, children's exercise, corporate wellness, exercise, family fitness, healthy habits, kids exercise|

5 Heart-Healthy Reasons to Exercise

The benefits that exercise has for physical and mental health are numerous. Countless studies have shown physical activity to be a top component in preventing and managing diseases and promoting a longer, healthier life. Let’s explore five heart-healthy reasons to make exercise a habit today. Regulate Blood Pressure Exercise causes blood vessels to dilate, which means they open wider and allow better circulation. Because of this the heart does not have to work as hard thereby more efficiently getting blood to the body. Less stress on the arteries means lower blood pressure in return (Mayo Clinic). Since bouts of exercise directly affect heart function, consistent physical activity is necessary for keeping blood pressure under control long-term. Boost Good Cholesterol High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered the “good” cholesterol, and it is an important part of heart health. According to the [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, exercise, heart health, heart month|

International Spices for Heart Health

Your doctor recommended that you lay off the salt. The American Heart Association recommends less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day in our diet. Although in the US the majority of the population consumes nearly 150% of the recommended amount. Why is this a problem? Overconsumption of salt raises blood pressure which in turn raises your risk for heart disease. The good news is that simple lifestyle changes like eating more fruit and vegetables and swapping out seasonings for salt while cooking can make a big difference. In fact, cutting back on salt has shown improvements in blood pressure within weeks. According to the FDA, 75% of our salt intake comes from packaged food and restaurant meals. Cut back on salt intake by making fresh meals at home. Want to know how to make your salt-free kitchen exciting? Bring [...]

Tags: cooking, corporate wellness, heart health, heart month, no salt, recipe|

Heart Month- February 2022

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, yet 80% of all heart attacks can be prevented. A great way to reduce your risk is to know your heart screening numbers. The most important are blood pressure, blood sugar, LDL and HDL cholesterols and body mass index (BMI). These values, in addition to your family history and personal habits (tobacco use, exercise and stress management), help health professionals design strategies that can lead to a long lifetime of heart health. Blood Pressure is the force with which your heart pumps blood through your blood vessels. Remembering that your heart is a pump and the vessels are hoses makes blood pressure easier to understand. Blood pressure measurements are recorded as two numbers. The higher number is the systolic pressure, and the lower [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, heart health, heart month|

Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe

Coming up in February is American Heart Month! Any movements such as walking, biking, and other exercises that increase our heart rate can improve cardiovascular health. Good nutrition can also impact our hearts in a positive way. Ways to improve heart health through eating include: Less saturated fats such as butter, lard, and animal products Lower sodium foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes More fatty fish like salmon, cod, and mahi-mahi are high in omega-3 fatty acids Below is a recipe that includes salmon, brown rice, and vegetables that are perfect for a heart-healthy diet! Salmon Rice Bowl Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Servings: 2 Salmon Ingredients: 6oz Salmon Filet (3oz for each bowl) 1 teaspoon minced garlic ½ teaspoon ground pepper 1 Tablespoon lemon juice Rice Bowl Ingredients: 1 cup brown basmati rice or other brown [...]

Tags: brown rice, clean eating, corporate wellness, heart health, recipe, salmon|

Top Fitness Apps for 2022

Welcome to the New Year, a great time to re-establish fitness goals! Countless apps make it easier than ever to have exercise resources right at your fingertips. How do you choose the best one for you? We’ve tested and highlighted some of the year’s top fitness apps below. MyFitnessPal MyFitnessPal has been around since 2005, but its capabilities continue to increase. This is a website and app for tracking daily diet and exercise to help reach fitness, nutrition, and weight management goals. You can log food and water intake, exercise, and weight progress each day. MyFitnessPal makes tracking easy by allowing you to input food from scanning barcodes or choosing from a large database of options. It even lets you set tracking reminders to help keep your goals at the forefront of your day. Most capabilities are free; however, you [...]

Tags: apps, corporate wellness, digital health, exercise, exercise apps, fitness, fitness apps, health apps|

Nutrition and Thyroid Health

"I can't lose weight because I have thyroid problems". You have probably heard this complaint time and time again from others. Although some may eye roll this comment and chalk it up as an "excuse" to getting healthy, your friends are actually not wrong. It's estimated that nearly 12% of Americans will develop a thyroid condition in their lifetime which can lead to excessive weight loss or gain. In fact, more than half (60%) of folks with thyroid disease are unaware they even have an issue. Although the exact cause of disease formation is unknown, the thyroid has a profound impact on our body's metabolism which can cause a slew of problems if not managed. Facts About the Thyroid The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located at the front of the neck. Although small, this gland affects [...]

Tags: clean eating, corporate wellness, hashimoto. hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, nutrition, thyroid|