StressManagement Archives - Be Well Solutions

Nutrition and Your Immune System

Your immune system provides protection against many types of illnesses, including many types of infections and certain types of cancer. It is a complicated network of defenses, including physical barriers like our skin extending to microscopic cells that constantly patrol the body searching for invading organisms or irregular cells. A well-functioning immune system is essential for health. The factors that influence the immune system are complex and influenced by many elements of a person’s lifestyle, including nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress management. Let’s take a closer look at how proper nutrition helps your body stay strong, and which types of foods help boost your defenses. Your Gut Microbiome Proper nutrients also help create a healthier microbiome. The microbiome is a system of trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms within your gut. Experts tell us that 70-80% of our immune system [...]

Tags: #HealthyEating, exerciseandhealth, gutmicrobiome, HealthyHabits, HydrationTips, immunehealth, lifestyleandimmunity, minerals, NutritionTips, probioticsandprebiotics, sleepandimmunity, StressManagement, vitamins, WellnessStrategies|

Stress, Sleep, and Your Immune System

Avoiding illness this time of year can be a tall task. We want to keep our immune systems strong, but are our daily habits hindering our ability to stay healthy? Let’s take a closer look at our habits with sleep and stress, and how they both can impact the function of our immune system. Our Immune System Our immune system functions as a defense against illness and germs and aids in recovery from injury or infection. It consists of organs, cells, and messenger molecules that identify and fight invaders in our body. It can even learn about previously contacted germs to create future antibodies. Many lifestyle factors play a role in our immune health. Poor health habits or hormonal imbalances can cause the immune system to become weakened or overactive, which can interfere with its effectiveness. For more information about [...]

Tags: adaptiveimmunity, balancedlifestyle, HealthyHabits, healthysleephabits, illnessprevention, immunesystemhealth, immunesystemoverview, immunesystemsupport, inflammation, lifestylefactors, sleepandimmunity, sleepbenefits, stressandcortisol, StressManagement, stressreliefstrategies, strongimmunitytips|

Take the Stress Out of Gift Giving

‘Tis the season for giving! We thoroughly enjoy seeing the faces of our loved ones light up when we give them a heartfelt gift. But choosing the right gift while staying on budget can feel overwhelming. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 41% of American adults report higher stress levels during the holiday season. The 2023 APA poll also found that “43% said that the stress of the holidays interferes with their ability to enjoy them and 36% said the holidays feel like a competition” (APA). The good news is that there are better ways to approach gift-giving, which can help manage the stress that comes with it. Have a Plan and Set a Budget Before the holiday festivities get into full swing, decide your plans and set a budget. Gift-giving can add up quickly, so sticking with a plan [...]

Tags: #budgetfriendlygifts, #creativegiftideas, #familygiftexchange, #financialwellness, #giftgivingtips, #holidayseasonadvice, #mindfulholidays, #thoughtfulgifting, holidaystress, StressManagement|

Fuel Your Diabetes Knowledge

November is recognized as National Diabetes Month to promote awareness about diabetes and encourage people to take steps toward prevention and better management. Today in the United States there are more than 37 million people living with diabetes, and another 80 million with pre-diabetes, a condition that puts them at greater risk for developing the illness. There are three primary types of diabetes: Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and often resolves following the birth of the baby. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed at a young age and requires insulin treatment for life. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of disorder, accounts for over 90% of cases. Often called “adult-onset diabetes”, this form occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or does [...]

Tags: #HealthyEating, #PhysicalActivity, a1ctest, diabetesawareness, diabetesprevention, diabetespreventiontips, diabetesriskfactors, diabetessymptoms, health, healthyliving, healthyweight, nationaldiabetesmonth, StressManagement, type1diabetes, type2diabetes, wellness|

Managing Mental Health During Chronic Illness

Chronic illness can be challenging to manage because of how it impacts nearly every aspect of our lives. Between navigating medical care, ensuring basic needs are met, and completing daily tasks, it can take a toll on our mental health and quality of life. A chronic illness differs from an acute illness, such as the flu, because a full recovery may not be possible. Learning to cope with the illness becomes part of everyday life. Understanding how to manage your mental health during chronic illness can help you cope more healthily and bring more enjoyment back into your life. Manage Stress Chronic illness can wear on us physically, mentally, and emotionally. The challenges it brings to daily life can trigger increased feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, frustration, and more. Unmanaged stress can negatively affect mental health as well as symptoms [...]

Tags: #mentalhealth, ChronicIllnessManagement, CopingwithChronicIllness, health, MentalResilience, MindfulnessandStressRelief, SelfcareforChronicIllness, StressManagement, wellness|

The Science of Stress: Understanding Its Effects on the Mind and Body

Stress is something we often experience daily. Anytime we face a stressful situation, the body automatically prepares to react. It releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that act to increase our heart rate and breathing, contract muscles, and elevate blood sugar for quick energy. These functions are necessary to help us respond in an emergency. However, prolonged and unmanaged stress can become chronic and negatively affect both mind and body. Stress and the Body Chronic stress affects every system of the body. Tense muscles can lead to soreness, neck and back pain, headaches, and migraines. Consistently elevated stress hormone levels increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. It can trigger or exacerbate respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions. Long-term stress can also suppress immune system function and cause fertility and reproduction complications. Chronic stress even affects the body [...]

Tags: #mentalhealth, #stressrelief, ChronicStress, EffectsofStress, EmotionalWell-being, HealthyHabits, HealthyLifestyle, MentalResilience, mindfulness, PhysicalHealth, SocialSupport, StressandAnxiety, StressAwareness, StressManagement|