Crystal Petrello, Author at Be Well Solutions

Green Spaces to De-Stress

We live in a constantly stimulating world, so it’s important to remember and always consider the reactions that occur naturally when we are in green spaces. Being outdoors promotes emotional and social wellbeing, as well as improving physical fitness and balance. Numerous studies bear this out. Provided you are fit enough to walk comfortably, the health benefits of regular outdoor activity reign supreme. Being outdoors allows us to take our mind off stressors and return feeling more in control and recharged. Find a park nearby and take a nature walk today! See the list below for ideas of outdoor fun. Continue reading July 2021 Newsletter: Shake Up Your Exercise with a HIIT Workout

Tags: beach, bike, c, corporate wellness, exercise, fly a kite, hike, outdoor activity|

Shake Up Your Exercise with a HIIT Workout

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a type of workout that alternates brief periods of vigorous exercise with periods of moderate activity, or rest (recovery). For example, a person could run for 30 seconds and then walk for three minutes. The periods of vigorous exercise and periods of rest/recovery can vary, as can the intensity levels of both. This allows HIIT workouts to be very adaptable to each individual and their fitness levels. The popularity of HIIT has remained on the rise thanks to continued research supporting it as an efficient and effective way to get and stay fit. HIIT is an excellent way for you to improve your fitness level and health, but it does require pushing your body to a higher intensity, so take your level of fitness into account before starting. Consulting a doctor before beginning [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, exercise, fitness, high intensity interval training, hiit, interval training, outdoor exercise, tabata, wellness|

Solar Safety

Summer is here, calling us outdoors to enjoy picnics, baseball games, gardening, bike rides, beaches, and swimming pools. People have worshipped the sun for thousands of years. Recently, however, avoiding the sun has become all the rage. The threat of cancer, skin damage, wrinkles and a host of other ailments has been attributed to sun exposure. Hats, long sleeve shirts, sunglasses, and sunblock lotion has become the norm. Sunshine—like anything else, it’s all about moderation! Can you get too little sun? What SPF is the best? What is the minimum sun exposure I need to meet my vitamin D requirements? Let’s take a look at the facts: Negative Effects of UV Light Cancer—Ultraviolet Radiation is a leading cause of malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. There is strong evidence that sun exposure is a major factor in the [...]

Tags: corporate wellenss, SPF, summer, sun burn, sun safety, sun tan, sunshine, UV, UV light|

Tips for a Healthy Cookout

Finally, a mask-free summer that is barbequed, smoked, slathered, rubbed, and dipped! When it comes to summertime cookouts, going overboard on indulgent foods happens often. It may seem impossible to include healthier alternatives at these get-togethers but serving healthier options can be easier than you think. According to the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics we need to think beyond the traditional barbeque favorites. Here are a few ideas for your next summertime party: Go Lean Instead of using processed meats such as hot dogs and sausage, try incorporating leaner meats. Choose healthier options like lean beef, pork, and chicken. Fish is also a great alternative and cooks up quickly on the grill. Consider swapping out typical beef burgers for heart healthy turkey burgers. Ground turkey can be found as lean as 99% fat free. Add some flavorful ingredients [...]

Tags: barbecue, barbeque, cookout, corporate wellness, fruit for dessert, grill, healthy cooking, kabob, roasted vegetables, summertime|

Wellness for the HR Professional: Sleep Hygiene

Sleep plays an important role in our physical and mental health. However, it can be tempting to stay up late to catch up on our favorite shows or wrap up a work project to meet a deadline. Sleep hygiene is essentially good sleep habits that promote consistent, uninterrupted sleep. Here are 6 simple steps for better sleep hygiene. Go to bed at the same time most nights of the week. Get up at the same time each morning. Make your bedroom dark and cool. Eliminate screen time 30 minutes before bedtime. Use white or brown noise or a fan to help you fall and stay asleep. Limit alcohol. It may help you fall asleep but may wake you up early. See other articles in the Wellness for HR Professional SERIES: Wellness for the HR Professional: Emotional Health Wellness [...]

Tags: corporate wellenss, COVID, COVID-19, HR, HR pro, human resources, sleep|

Wellness for the HR Professional: Emotional Health

This has been a tough year for HR professionals. You may have had to give bad news about wages or loss, or you may be struggling to hire reliable workers. You have certainly been dealing with a lot of stress! Stress takes energy, and when we are out of energy, we suffer. Stress is the reaction to a threat (real or imagined) to your well-being, which results in a series of physical and emotional responses. Everyone experiences different symptoms of stress. Some of us get depressed, others get angry, anxious, or feel hopeless or lonely. Try implementing some of the strategies below to help you manage your stress and take care of your mental and emotional health. Have an action plan. When we are faced with stress, our human instinct is to react by either fighting or running away (The [...]

Tags: COVID, COVID-19, emotional health, HR, HR pro, HR professional, human resources, self-care, wellness|

Wellness for the HR Professional: Nutrition

Most of us feel like we are in survival mode as we return to the workplace. We have also gained the “COVID-19 pounds”. Take the following steps to healthfully go back to work. Be kind to yourself and slowly integrate health behaviors (back) into your life. These 2 major steps are meant to help you thrive during this time and not add more stress. Eat mindfully. This means to increase your awareness of what influences your food choices. Consider the following: Why am I eating? Am I hungry or am I stressed? Is this physical hunger or an emotional response? Enjoy your food. Use all your senses to enjoy your food. This means you eat slowly, take small bites and chew thoroughly. No distractions. Take time to enjoy your food. Stop working for a period, turn off the screen [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, COVID, COVID-19, food for fuel, HR, HR pro, HR professional, human resources, nutrition, wellness|

Wellness for the HR Professional: Exercise

The thought of adding exercise to your days may seem daunting and add even more stress and anxiety to already stressful days. However, incorporating exercise into your daily routine is a great way to stay healthy during a pandemic as well reduce your risk for chronic disease. An increasing amount of research shows inactivity has serious consequences when it comes to our health. Moving more during your day may help reduce health risk, increase productivity, and support a healthy weight. Exercise also reduces stress hormones and increases levels of feel-good endorphins. These endorphins circulate in the body and provide an immediate lift in mood, focus, attention, and reaction time that lasts two or more hours. Although considered short-terms effects, these changes can help prevent problems that contribute to cognitive impairment in the future. How will you move? Below are [...]

Tags: COVID, COVID-19, exercise, HR, HR pro, HR professional, human resources, SMART goals|

Recipe- Melty-Cheesy Zucchini Boats

Summer is here and so are a whole array of seasonal vegetables! Today, we are putting the spotlight on a summer favorite - zucchini. Zucchini is naturally low in calories and rich in nutrients such as potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Check out the nutritious and delicious recipe below! Melty-Cheesy Zucchini Boats Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 30 minutes Serving: 8 Ingredients: 4 medium zucchini (about 8oz each) 2 tbsp olive oil, divided Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 lb ground turkey 1 tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves) 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 small) 1 -14.5oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained 2 tsp Italian seasoning ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs, divided ½ cup low-fat shredded mozzarella ⅔ cup shredded parmesan cheese, divided 1 ½ tbsp chopped fresh parsley Instructions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 13x9-inch baking [...]

Tags: cheese, corporate wellness, dietitian, farmers market, nutrition, recipe, summer vegetables, vegetables, zucchini|

National Great Outdoors Month- June

June is all about taking the time to explore outdoor historic national treasures. Starting in June of 2019, the US Senate officially honored this summer month as Great Outdoors Month. Our country is full of unique parks, trails, forests, mountains, and more. One of the best ways to discover nature is by visiting a National Park Service (NPS) Location. With so many options across the US, you’re sure to find something that sparks excitement for the Great Outdoors. Plan Your Visit Before embarking on your next adventure, take time to plan for your visit. You’ll want to consider things like climate, terrain, available facilities, necessary gear, and current weather. The NPS offers a great planning guide on their website. Having a plan before you hit the trail will ensure you are well prepared before, during, and after your trip. Cell [...]

Tags: alltrails, camp, corporate wellness, hike, june, national great outdoors month, national park services, national parks, nps, summer|

About Crystal Petrello