How many people can say they spent time at both the Republican and Democratic convention and came away feeling calm and recharged? Well, anyone who spent time at the Huffington Post Oasis, which was a world away from the crowds and chaos. The Oasis offered everything from yoga to napping chairs to massage.
It only confirmed what I already knew -- stress is a big part of the current crisis in American health. We all need to vote yes to better wellness practices in our daily lives -- we should all have the "right" to exercise, eat well and be healthier.
That's what we're trying to do here at Zeel.com. Last year, my wife Alison and I realized that Americans were searching for ways to bring health and wellness into their lives without the use of medication or surgery -- particularly through services ranging from fitness to massage to acupuncture to proper diets, along with other health and wellness treatments.
Alison and I were determined to help Americans seeking out these health and wellness solutions on the Internet. The Internet can be an incredible tool for research -- but there's just too much information and confusion. Consumers needed an effective, trustworthy way to learn more about managing their health and chronic conditions, as well as a method to find licensed, credentialed health and wellness practitioners near them.
That's what we're doing at Zeel. We seek to ensure that everyone has immediate online access to qualified and vetted professionals offering services like massage, acupuncture, personal training, dietary counseling and chiropractic care -- all treatments that reduce or eliminate chronic, grinding conditions like pain, stress, insomnia and inflammation. Customers can learn about effective, evidence-based treatments, look for a practitioner in their area and book an appointment online right away. We feel very fortunate to have been invited to share the story of our growing company at the Huffington Post What's Working expo.
I was excited to have the opportunity to talk to the woman of the hour herself, Huffington Post founder and media visionary Arianna Huffington. She knows a thing or two about hard work -- and truly gets the idea of "unplugging and recharging" in the middle of a tough day. As Arianna herself said, a focus on CAM is part of the "zeitgeist" of the early 21st century.
There were other inspirational meetings too. I chatted with Victoria Edwards from GuideWell, a great company wholly-owned by BCBS Florida. GuideWell helps people focus on small steps that improve wellbeing and everyday health. It's a very cool company that fits with Zeel's mission.
I also met Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald, an acupuncturist and well-known wellness expert who works with, among other clients, Arianna Huffington. (We're sure even more people will want to work with Dr. Fitzgerald after the recent article on the proven value of acupuncture in the New York Times.) And I had a great talk with Dr. Russell Sanna, the executive director of Harvard's Sleep Medicine division, who's bringing to light the vital importance of healthy sleep patterns to our health. A persistent lack of sleep can increase the incidence of diabetes, hurt the immune system, and contribute to obesity and depression. The key: at least seven good hours of quality sleep a night.
It was a great experience. Thanks to Arianna Huffington and the Huffington Post for a valuable and fascinating event.
For more by Samer Hamadeh, click here.
For more on Oasis 2012, click here.