employeewellness – Be Well Solutions

Eating for Longevity: Lessons Inspired by the Blue Zones

Most of us would like to live a longer, healthier life. While no single food or diet can guarantee longevity, researchers have spent decades studying regions of the world where people routinely live to age 100 and beyond. These areas, known as the Blue Zones, include communities in Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda (California). Although these cultures differ in many ways, they share several common lifestyle habits that are associated with better health, lower rates of chronic disease, and exceptional longevity. These habits, known as the “Power 9” include daily movement, a sense of purpose, stress management, strong social connections, and certain eating behaviors. Let’s take a moment to focus on the two nutrition-related Power 9 principles that nearly everyone can begin practicing today – the Plant Slant and the 80% Rule, or [...]

Shared Care: Building Wellness Through Connection

While caring for our health and wellness is our personal responsibility, we can often achieve our goals and create lifelong habits with the help of those around us. Studies have shown that social connection can increase longevity, strengthen the immune system, improve recovery, and boost mental health, while a lack of connection can cause physical and psychological health to diminish (Stanford Medicine1). The following ways can be used to build wellness through community, relationship, and connection. Find Support and Encouragement Establishing healthy habits that last can feel like a lifelong journey. Finding support along the way provides encouragement and reinforcement. Working with others and sharing our experiences can make the process feel less lonely. Even the strongest habits can go through seasons of obstacles and difficulty. Creating connections with family, friends, and coworkers helps us work through life's hardships while [...]

How Community Can Impact Our Stress Management

As humans, we experience stress as a natural part of life. How we react, respond, and manage stress can greatly affect our physical, mental, and emotional health. Research from the American Psychological Association found that while loneliness can negatively influence health and wellness, “social support bolsters resilience in stressful situations.” Seeking out community and meaningful connections can positively impact our stress management efforts. Ease the Fight or Flight Response During stressful situations, our body’s natural reaction is to ‘fight or flight’. This can protect us from harm or prepare our bodies to fight in an emergency. However, when daily stressors continuously activate this system, it can begin to negatively impact our physical and mental health. Communicating and engaging with others helps us calm this action, so we can respond appropriately and thoughtfully rather than mindlessly or impulsively. The support of [...]

A Blue Zones Approach to Physical Activity

In the early 2000s, National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner began researching and coined the term “Blue Zones” to identify areas of the world where people lived the longest (Blue Zones). His research led him to seek similarities among these groups to discover their strategies and secrets to longevity. One of the common characteristics involved the way people move and stay active. Let’s explore how centenarians, or people who live to be 100 years or older, naturally incorporate movement into their daily lives. Natural Movement In the Blue Zones, people do not typically exercise by going to the gym or joining the latest fitness class. Instead, they fit movement into nearly every aspect of their life. They walk to and from work, school, and the store. They do many things by hand rather than relying on modern conveniences and appliances. Citizens [...]

6 Tips for a Successful Walking Meeting

Workdays can quickly turn into a schedule of endless meetings and sedentary desk work. Incorporating walking meetings helps boost productivity and increase energy, while keeping your team on the move. They promote a high level of engagement and more creative thinking. Follow the tips below to make your next walking meeting a success. Plan Ahead A successful walking meeting starts with a plan. Ensure all attendees are willing and prepared to participate prior to the scheduled meeting. Preparing beforehand will allow participants to wear or bring the appropriate clothing and footwear for a walk. You will also want to plan out the route. Choose a path that is safe, quiet enough for conversation, and of the appropriate length for the meeting. Finally, you may want to send out any necessary documents or materials for the meeting in advance. Bringing these [...]