wellness – Page 2 – Be Well Solutions

4 Ways to Combat Digital Stress

We live in an ever-expanding digital era, where news, communication, work, and entertainment are constantly at our fingertips. Between emails and social media, it can be challenging to unplug. Technology can certainly make our lives easier in many ways. However, when it is misused or abused, it can bring negative impacts such as stress, mental health issues, and disruptions in sleep. Practicing strategies to combat digital stressors can keep our screen time more manageable and beneficial. Set Boundaries The easy accessibility of the digital world can make life more convenient, but it means technology and screens are with us on a more constant basis. This continued connection can leave us feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. Establishing boundaries around usage can guard your time, peace of mind, and mental health. Practice setting time limits with apps, gaming, social media, and television. [...]

The Pros and Cons of Wearing a Weighted Vest for Exercise

Trends come and go in the fitness industry, making it difficult to navigate what is worthwhile and beneficial. A recent trend includes wearing a weighted vest for exercise. This is often referred to as rucking. While this training tactic originated from military training to build strength and endurance, it has now become a mainstream physical activity. Weighted vests can add intensity to workouts, but they are not necessarily the best option for every exerciser. We’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons to help you decide if this is the right trend for you and your workout routine. The Pros The use of a weighted vest during exercise increases the workload and resistance of the activity being performed. It adds intensity that is higher than using your body weight alone. This elevated workload will increase energy expenditure and [...]

6 Everyday Habits that Support a Strong Heart

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. However, up to 80% of heart disease risk can be lowered with lifestyle choices and everyday habits (Brown Health University1). As we celebrate Heart Month, let’s take a closer look at how we can make healthy choices to support a strong heart. Move Regularly and Often Physical activity is a main component of heart health because it helps manage blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and even stress. Prioritizing regular physical activity throughout your day can help reduce your risk of heart disease while improving your endurance and stamina. The U.S. Department of Health2 recommends that adults accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity along with two to three days of strength training activities each week. If you are new to exercise, talk with your doctor [...]

Tags: #HeartHealth, ActiveLifestyle, biometrics, CardiovascularHealth, DiseasePrevention, HealthyHabits, healthyliving, heartmonth, lifestylemedicine, nutrition, preventivedhealth, sleephealth, smokefree, StressManagement, wellness|

How You Eat Affects How You Feel

Have you ever noticed that certain foods make you feel good or bad soon after you eat them? What we eat doesn’t just affect our bodies; it also influences how we feel every day. Researchers at Mass General Brigham have found clear connections between food and mood. Your Food Affects Your Mood Through Your Gut and Brain Your gut and brain are connected. They communicate with each other constantly. This is sometimes called the gut-brain connection. The food you eat affects the bacteria and chemicals in your gut, and these in turn send signals to your brain about how you’re feeling (UCLA Health). In fact, many important mood-related chemicals, like serotonin, are made in your gut. When your diet supports healthy gut bacteria, more of these chemicals can help your brain work well (Harvard Health). Foods That Help Your Mood [...]

Tags: #brainhealth, #GutBrainConnection, #GutHealth, #HealthyEating, #mentalhealth, #mindfuleating, #WholeFoods, BalancedNutrition, EmotionalWellbeing, energylevels, foodandmood, HealthyHabits, moodboostingfoods, nutrition, wellness|

Building Resilience: How to Bounce Back from Life’s Challenges Stronger

Life can be full of unexpected twists and turns. How we respond often determines how well we recover and develop resilience in the face of adversity. Resilience can be defined as “an individual’s ability to positively cope with stress and adversity – bouncing back to a previous state of normal functioning, or using the experience of adversity to enhance flexibility and overall functioning” (Cornell University Health1). Building resiliency does not mean you will avoid future hardships, but it does help shape your response during those difficult times. It allows us to thrive and grow, regardless of what we face. Resiliency is not something that can be obtained overnight; it is something that needs to be practiced, cultivated, and developed over time. Find Purpose A sense of purpose can give us the motivation and will to push on through tough times. [...]

Tags: #mentalhealth, adaptability, communitysupport, copingstrategies, EmotionalWellbeing, lifechallenges, mentalfitness, mentalstrength, mindset, personalgrowth, purposefulliving, resilience, SelfCare, StressManagement, wellness|

Move for Longevity: Strength & Mobility for the Years Ahead

Aging can come with its fair share of health concerns. However, maintaining the ability to move well doesn’t need to be one of them. Incorporating routine exercise can help you keep your range of motion, strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility. It helps minimize the risk of age-related injuries and enhances your ability to perform daily tasks. As we age, we still want to be able to accomplish things like carrying groceries, climbing stairs, and lifting our grandkids. Keeping movement a priority will bring more longevity and independence to your years. Cardio Exercise Cardio exercise is necessary for overall health and wellness, but regular movement also helps maintain mobility over time. It aids in managing conditions like arthritis by decreasing pain and stiffness and improving joint function. Regular cardio movement will help sustain and increase your stamina and endurance as you [...]

Tags: #FunctionalFitness, ActiveLifestyle, agingwell, balance, cardioexercise, exercisehabits, flexibility, HealthyAging, independence, InjuryPrevention, longevity, Mobility, movement, strengthtraining, wellness|

Exercising Mindfully

Mindfulness is all about intentionally paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Practicing mindfulness can improve our daily eating habits and stress management. But did you know it can also positively impact our exercise routines? Listening to your body allows you to be more in tune with when you can push harder and when you need rest. This approach can help improve athletic performance and lower your risk of injury. The more you pay attention during your workouts, the more you will notice little victories and progressions along the way. You’ll also become more aware of the mental health benefits that come from exercise, such as stress relief. Consider the following tips to add more mindfulness to your exercise routine. Personalize Your Workout Personalizing your workouts will not only make your sessions more enjoyable but will help you reach [...]

Foods for Restful Nights: Certain Foods Can Help or Hurt Our Sleep

Getting a good night's sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Sleep is not a passive process; during sleep our body revitalizes physically and mentally. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that proper sleep reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and clinical depression. Proper sleep is essential for optimal daytime functioning. The doctors at the CDC advise that most adults should get between 7 and 9 hours of sound, uninterrupted sleep each night. The most common symptom of poor sleep is daytime fatigue and poor energy. The National Sleep Foundation reports that nearly a quarter of all US adults experience sleep difficulties that impair their daytime energy, motivation and concentration. While many factors affect sleep including sleep environment (light, temperature, sounds), individual stress levels, [...]

Understanding the Importance of Preventive Care

It is easy to put off going to the doctor until you feel sick or think something may be wrong. However, keeping up with preventive care allows you to maintain current health and discover any issues before they become significant conditions or emergencies. Preventive care is key to preserving your health and wellness as you age. What is Preventive Care? Preventive care consists of routine visits and screenings with your doctor to create health baselines and monitor for changes or conditions. This regularly scheduled care will help assess and manage risk factors and can even prevent disease. Participating in preventive care increases the chances of diagnosing conditions before they become a problem requiring extensive treatment or care. According to News Medical Life Sciences, “current estimates indicate that nearly 80% of chronic medical conditions could be prevented by healthy lifestyle behaviors, [...]

Tags: #AnnualCheckups, #HealthScreenings, #HealthTips, #MedicalScreenings, #OralHealth, #PreventiveCare, #PreventiveHealth, #PrimaryCare, #StayHealthy, #Vaccines, #VisionHealth, #WellnessCoaching, DiseasePrevention, HealthyLifestyle, healthyliving, wellness|

Celebrating Heart Health with Fatty Fish

February is American Heart Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the nation’s leading killer, and to remind our friends and loved ones that heart disease can be prevented 80% of the time! Heart Month is a great time to focus on steps we can take to keep our hearts healthy and strong. Often, these steps emphasize exercise, proper sleep, stress management, and nutritional strategies. Our diet plays a big role in reducing risk. One of the best strategies is to incorporate healthy fats—particularly the omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish— into our meals. The special fats found in fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, and herring support health and healing of the cardiovascular system, as well as other bodily systems. Why Fatty Fish are Essential Dietitians and other health scientists refer to nutrients as “essential” [...]

Tags: #HealthyEating, #HeartHealth, AmericanHeartMonth, BudgetFriendlyEating, CookingTips, FattyFish, FishRecipes, HealthyFats, HealthyLifestyle, HeartDiseasePrevention, MealPlanning, nutrition, Omega3, wellness|