Newsletter Archives - Be Well Solutions

Butterflies in Your Stomach – A Great Example of the Gut-Brain Connection!

Have you ever felt "butterflies in your stomach" before a significant event or during moments of stress? This sensation is not just a metaphor but a vivid illustration of how closely our gut and brain communicate, influencing our overall health and well-being. The notion that gut health and well-being are connected is not new. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, famously stated, "All disease begins in the gut", over 2000 years ago. Throughout history and across various cultures, dietary practices have long been devised with a focus on promoting overall health. Your Brain and Belly talk in several ways. Your brain and gut have bidirectional communication through several different mechanisms including: Direct nerve connections. The vagus nerve, a key player in the autonomic (“fight or flight”) nervous system connects directly to nerves lining the intestinal walls. These nerves are sometime called [...]

Tags: #balanceddiet, #brainhealth, #GutBrainConnection, #GutHealth, #ManageStress, #PhysicalActivity, #Prebiotics, health, microbiome, probiotics, wellness|

Stress Less: Response vs. Reaction

Stressful situations arise often, but they are not always in our control. However, the way we respond or react in these situations is something we can control. While these two words may sound similar, they are two very different approaches to managing stress. Let’s explore how your approach can make all the difference in daily stress management. It’s Natural to React Our bodies naturally react whenever they encounter a stressful situation. Once our brain recognizes a real or perceived threat, it tells our automatic nervous system (ANS) that it is time to act. The ANS first signals our sympathetic nervous system by increasing stress hormone production and initiating our flight or fight reaction. This reaction causes quick changes in bodily function, such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, elevated blood pressure, contracted muscles, and digestive changes. When the stressor passes, [...]

Tags: #mentalhealth, #Reaction, #Response, #StressLess, health, mindfulness, stress, wellness|

Prioritizing Wellness in a Busy World

Keeping up healthy habits can be a tall task when juggling all the responsibilities of daily life. Wellness often slips down our priority list the busier we get. Knowing the importance of health is easy, but it is often harder to make time for it. We’ve compiled a list of tips to help you add quality to your years while navigating a busy schedule. Set Realistic Goals Set yourself up for success by making goals that are realistic and attainable. Begin with smaller, more manageable plans that you can build upon as you go. This gradual approach will help build resilience and confidence along the way. As you set your ambitions, let them align with your current schedule and season of life. Then, revisit your approach often, as we all know how constantly changing our schedules can be. This reflection [...]

Tags: #EstablishingBoundaries, #PreventiveCare, #PrioritizingWellness, #RealisticGoals, exercise, health, mindfulness, sleep, wellness|

Functional Fitness: How It Can Improve Daily Life

Functional Fitness: How It Can Improve Daily Life Regular exercise comes with a wide range of physical and mental benefits. It lowers the risk of health conditions, enhances sports performance, increases endurance, and improves mental health, but did you know it can also help improve your daily life? Exercise should also benefit your everyday activities. According to Mayo Clinic1, “Functional fitness exercises train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at home, at work or in sports.” These functional exercises benefit any age and promote quality of life now and in the future. The Benefits of Functional Fitness We use muscles each day for tasks like picking things up off the floor, standing up from a chair, carrying groceries, pushing a door open, walking up and down stairs, and [...]

Tags: #corporatewellness, #FunctionalFitness, #mentalhealth, exercise, health, lifestyle, routine, wellness|

Benefits of a Balanced Diet: Micronutrients

What are micronutrients? Your body is a complex machine that requires many types of fuel to function smoothly. Micronutrients are one of these essential fuels. Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals our bodies need to operate properly and achieve optimal health. Apart from vitamin D, which we can produce with exposure to sunlight, our body is unable to produce individual micronutrients. Therefore, we must obtain them from our diet or through supplements. The amount and type of micronutrients found in food varies, which is why consuming a wide variety of nutritious foods is essential to ensure adequate intake. There are approximately thirty micronutrients we need to consume regularly. Iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, iodine, folate, and zinc are examples of the micronutrients that are essential to our health. Why are micronutrients important for our health? According to the World Health [...]

Tags: #balanceddiet, #fuel, #micronutrients, #nutrients, health, nutrition, wellness|

Balancing Hormones with Exercise: The Link Between Fitness and Hormonal Health

Exercise can impact each system of the body, including the endocrine system. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine1, “The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs. It uses hormones to control and coordinate your body's metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development, and response to injury, stress, and mood.” Exercise influences hormone production, making the two directly related. Let’s explore a few areas where fitness and hormonal health are related. Blood Sugar and Exercise Insulin is a hormone that helps our bodies properly use or store glucose. During exercise, insulin production slows down so our bodies can focus on using the glucose for energy rather than storing it for future use. The body will also increase the production of the hormone glucagon during exercise to prevent blood sugar from going too low. Glucagon helps convert glycogen (stored glucose) [...]

Tags: #bloodsugar, #cognitivefunction, #endocrinesystem, #insulin, exercise, health, stress, wellness|

Making the Most of Remote Wellness and Telehealth

Remote Wellness and Telehealth is a rapidly growing industry with no signs of slowing down. Harvard Health1 defines telehealth “as the delivery of health care services at a distance through the use of technology. It can include everything from conducting medical visits over the computer, to monitoring patients' vital signs remotely.” Navigating all the uses in this technology-driven field can be a tall task. We’ll explore the extensive varieties, pros, and cons to help you get the most out of these advanced features. Numerous Uses and Varieties: Virtual Appointments. Meet with a physician virtually using your phone, tablet, or computer for non-emergent health concerns or questions. Share Messages and Data. Share information back and forth with your health provider. They can send test results, diagnoses, and treatment plans. You can instantly respond with questions, current medical history lists, or other pertinent information. [...]

Tags: #coaching, #counseling, #remotewellness, #telehealth #virtualappointments, #virtual, health, wellness|

Munch Mindfully with Strategies to Overcome Emotional Eating

During stressful or overwhelming days, it can be easy to turn to food to help us cope. We start craving comfort foods and indulgent snacks but usually feel guilty or even more stressed. Munch more mindfully with these strategies to help overcome emotional eating. Check Your Hunger As you experience a comfort food craving, check in with your hunger cues. If your go-to method of coping with stressful situations has been food for longer than you can remember, it can be hard to differentiate real hunger from emotional hunger. Take a moment to ask yourself if your body is physically hungry. Try delaying the snack or sipping water to see if the hunger subsides or continues. Also, ask yourself if your craving is for a specific food item. If your craving is specific, it can indicate emotional hunger. Checking your [...]

Tags: #emotionaleating, #foodjournal, #healthieroptions, #mindfuleating, #stressrelief, health, hunger, nutrition, wellness|

The Health Impacts of Social Connection

Over the last several years, especially during the height of the pandemic, there has been a focus in workplace wellness on the impacts from loneliness and lack of social connections on health and wellbeing – and rightfully so. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, social connection can encompass the interactions, relationships, roles, and sense of connection that individuals, communities, or society may experience. Our connections with family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors are just some of what make up social connections. Other facets of social connection include our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and digital platforms. Social connection is a fundamental human need, just like the need for water, food, and shelter. When humans lack social connections and a sense of community, the associated health benefits are compromised, and can lead to poor health and reduced longevity. Research notes that social isolation [...]

Tags: #socialconnections #health #wellness #nutrition #physicalactivity #sleep #treatment|

Holistic Approaches to Managing Chronic Stress and Anxiety

Stress can impact everybody system, making it necessary to consider a holistic approach to managing it. While we can’t eliminate all stress, combining physical, mental, and social strategies can help build effective and lasting ways to be more resilient during stressful times. Balanced Nutrition Anytime we’re in stressful situations, it’s common to notice appetite changes. Whether we’re prone to snacking on anything in sight, skipping meals, or craving comfort foods, our nutrition typically takes a hit. However, balanced nutrition is one of our body’s top energy sources, and it can help us healthily manage stress. You don't need to begin a strict or extreme fad diet that can cause even more stress. Instead, think about ways to be more mindful of your eating. Intentionally incorporate more colorful fruits, veggies, lean protein, and whole grains in your meals and snacks. Make [...]

Tags: #Anxiety, #HolisticWellness, health, meditation, mindfulness, nutrition, SocialSupport, stress, wellness|