Crystal Petrello, Author at Be Well Solutions

Vaping and E-Cigarettes’ are Not Safe

What are E-Cigarettes? E-cigarettes have gained huge popularity around the world. As of 2019, there are more than 460 brands of e-cigarettes with as many as 8.1 million users. The United States alone spent 7 billion dollars on e-cigarettes in 2018. These devices use a liquid solution (juice) which is heated and then the aerosol is inhaled. Most liquids contain nicotine, the addictive substance found in tobacco products. According to the CDC, some e-cigarette claiming to have 0% nicotine have been found to actually contain nicotine. “It’s Just Vapor” E-cigarettes are loosely controlled by the government, and it is difficult to draw conclusions about many of the safety claims that the manufacturers make or imply. The Be Well Solutions Team often hears people say “it’s just vapor”, assuming that this means there is no danger. It is not a water-based [...]

Tags: cig, cigarette, ecig, quit smoking, stop smoking, vaping|

Be Well Solutions- Freedom From Smoking provider

In 1964, the Surgeon General of the United States issued a report that finally declared cigarettes a major cause of preventable death. At that time more than half of all men and a third of all women were smokers. The lessons learned in the years since the landmark report have helped save millions of lives and have improved the health of millions more. Today about 14% of Americans smoke (as of 2019). Smoking Kills Despite the efforts to reduce smoking and its effects on smokers and non-smokers, it remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. In addition to early deaths, another 16 million Americans suffer from a smoking-related disease. Nicotine is an Addictive Drug Cigarettes and other forms of tobacco contain nicotine — a substance that is physically and psychologically addicting. Most people who become [...]

Tags: american cancer, american lung association, commit to quit, great american smokeout, quit smoking, smoking, stop smoking, world no tobacco day|

Top Ways Exercise Helps Manage Arthritis

Exercise routines can be hard to stick to, but when you have arthritis getting started can be even more difficult. However, regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to help manage arthritis pain and maintain a good range of motion. Why Exercise? Reduce Pain and Stiffness. It might seem backward to exercise when joints are stiff and sore from arthritis, but consistent exercise helps keep our bodies in motion. A well-rounded exercise routine that includes aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises will increase your range of motion. This increased range of motion will help to lower pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. Joint Support. Muscle strengthening is a key part of a balanced exercise routine. Incorporating muscle strengthening exercises will help provide a better support system for your joints. The more support joints have, the less wear [...]

Tags: #WAAD, arthritis, autoimmune, exercise, pain management, world autoimmune and arthritis day|

Decrease Inflammation with Diet

Anti-Inflammatory Foods Our bodies have a natural ability to fight off invading predators! The immune system protects us from microbes and illness every single day. This process of protection causes inflammation. There are foods that can cause inflammation too. Unfortunately, this can lead to chronic inflammation within our bodies. According to Harvard Health Publishing, chronic inflammation is the cornerstone for preventable diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. What foods cause inflammation? What foods calm inflammation? What we eat can truly affect how we feel. Cause Inflammation Foods typically recommended to avoid such as high fat, processed, or calorically dense foods are the same foods that can cause chronic inflammation. According to Dr. Kielcolt-Glaser from the Department of Psychiatry at Ohio State University, these foods modulate pathways within us that increase physical, immune, and nervous system stress. Not only [...]

Tags: #WAAD, arthritis, autoimmune, diet, food, inflammation, sugar, World Autoimmune Arthritis Day|

5 Components of Exercise Recovery

You just finished up a great workout…Congrats! But now what? Practicing recovery techniques after exercise is essential for getting the most out of your workout and lowering the risk of injury. Incorporate the components below into your routine for maximum recovery. Cool-Down The cool-down is a component of exercise that is frequently overlooked. Too often, we finish our workout and go right on with our day. However, wrapping up our workout with a cool-down is going to help our body recover quicker. Finish up your workout with 5-10 minutes of very low-intense activity. This will gradually lower your heart rate and bring your body back into a resting state. Finish up your cool-down with several minutes of full-body stretching. Stretching will allow your muscles to relax, which can ease soreness and cramping. Recover Complete an extra intense workout or [...]

Tags: cool down, corporate wellness, exercise, exercise recovery, foam roll, hydrate, nutrition, physical activity, recover, refuel, rest, sleep, stretch, water, wellness|

Adaptogenic Mushrooms

The largest living organism in the world is a fungus: the almighty mushroom. At the cell level, mushrooms have more in common with humans than any other plant. Maybe that is why they seem so helpful to human health? Adaptogens are a class of herb that are thought to help us cope with stress. Types of stress range from general inflammation to fight-or-flight response. The thought is that they aid in the ability of our bodies to cope and adapt to physical, biological, and chemical stress. Consuming adaptogenic herbs can possibly help reduce physical fatigue along with depression and anxiety, enhance mental performance and immunity, and generally help you thrive under pressure. Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in Eastern Medicine. The adaptogen class of these mushrooms have shown to reduce the effects of stress on [...]

Tags: adaptogen, adaptogens, arthritis, cordyceps, disease prevention, fungi, herbal medicine, inflammation, integrative medicine, lion's mane, medicinal mushrooms, mushroom, mycelium, reishi, stress, wellness, World Autoimmune Arthritis Day|

Sleep Better, May 2021

Read Time: 1 min 51 sec Wake-up, sleepy head! You are not the only one that head nods throughout the day. About half of all Americans feel sleepy most days of the week, according to the Sleep Foundation. When we don’t get enough sleep, it can increase our risk for developing chronic health conditions, interfere with our hormones, and decrease our immunity to illnesses. In the short term we feel sleepy, irritated, and less likely to make better decisions. Sleep plays an important role in our lives by helping us to feel good during the day. Sleep is just as important for our health as exercise and eating well. Make a wellness goal to try some tips below to get more restful sleep. Try: Routine: Making sleep a priority by staying on a routine and aiming to get [...]

Tags: doctor sleep, healthy sleep, sleep, sleeping beauty|

Spring into Cycling, May 2021

Read Time: 2 min 21 sec Get out that bike and prepare to pedal! The season for outdoor activity is finally here, and what better time to tune-up your bike and get moving? Whether you’re looking for a family adventure or transportation to work, biking can be a great exercise option. Before you hit the trail, ensure the best ride by planning to prepare, pace and follow safety precautions. Prepare Before beginning your ride, you’ll want to make sure you have your bike in working order with pumped-up tires and your helmet on snug. You will also want to bring a few other essentials with you. In case of an emergency, or if you get stranded somewhere, it’s always a good idea to bring your cell phone, an ID, and some cash. If your plans include a longer ride [...]

Tags: bike, cycle gear, family time, mountain bike, outdoors, peddle, trek bikes|

Declutter to De-Stress, May 2021

Read Time: 1 min 59 sec Einstein’s last day of work ended with a cluttered desk. Does clutter confuse you or is it organized chaos for the genius mind? Most people cannot think clearly with a workspace in disarray. It has been shown that being surrounded by mess leads to a lack of productivity and motivation. Overstimulation of our brains by clutter does not just affect our work headspace. It has been seen that women who perceive their homes as cluttered have higher cortisol levels which we know is correlated to obesity. The following are tips to declutter and de-stress about the environment. Office Organize- Put frequently used items within reach. Organize the items you don’t use as often and place them out of site. Folders- Put all items in their folder. Create a pending folder for all the things [...]

Tags: clean, de-stress, declutter, declutter your home, destress, how to declutter your home, recycle, spring clean, stress|

Gluten: Sensitivity or Celiac, May 2021

Read Time: 1 min 35 sec Flour is the foundation for a lot of the delicious food we eat such as pizza, bread, and pasta. Some people will “go gluten-free” to lose weight, others because they feel bloated after a plate of pasta, and those with arthritis symptoms because they were told it would decrease the pain and fatigue. Let’s breakdown what gluten is and who would benefit from “going gluten-free”. Gluten is a protein in flour that plays an important role in giving structure and texture to our food. Celiac disease is an immune reaction to gluten, not an allergy. Individuals with this disease must read food labels and avoid all foods containing gluten. If a person with Celiac disease consumes gluten, it causes damage to the lining of the small intestines. This can decrease the absorption of [...]

Tags: celiac disease, celiac disease symptoms, gluten, gluten free, what is celiac, what is gluten|

About Crystal Petrello