Here are some important resolutions to protect your skin in the new year!
1. Examine your skin for irregularities monthly, with some help from a trusted friend or family member for those hard-to-see spots.
2. Choose wisely what time of day you go out in the sun. Be sure to wear adequate protection such as a large-brimmed hat and sunscreen with a CDA logo on the label that offers both UVB/UVA protection (SPF 50 for summer, SPF 30 year-round).
3. See a board-certified dermatologist once a year for a medical assessment of moles and skin cancer risk, as well as to learn about options for improving your skin’s appearance.

Painful feelings command our attention – they can be so uncomfortable, and incredibly inconvenient. But what are they telling us? Is it that something is missing in your life? Are the feelings a signal for change, say in a job or a relationship? Are you healing from a loss? And what do you do about these painful feelings? Is there anyone you can share them with? Counselling is a safe, supportive, unbiased place to consider your full experience, and to develop a plan for yourself.

Our bodies are made up of billions of cells that communicate with each other using minute electrical signals. Our brains function at the exact same frequency as the planet Earth. All life forms function in the same manner in exquisite balance with the universe. This fine-tuning has been disrupted by manmade electrical energy that operates at power levels and frequencies billions of times higher than those in nature. Exposure of all living beings to manmade electromagnetic radiation can be avoided when one becomes aware of and educated on how it all works.

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Are you struggling with a grieving child? Bereaved young children don’t have our understanding of death, nor the language to say how they are feeling. However, they definitely experience feelings of loss and separation, and pick up on the distress of those around them. Providing them with options of drawing or playing with puppets can help, as can using storybooks and pictures. Sharing your feelings of loss with a child can help them express their own sadness. Children tend to grieve in bursts, and at other times will look for reassurance and comfort in their normal routines and activities.

A study led by Frank Lin, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, suggests that hearing loss may also be a risk factor for a huge public health problem: falls. The study found that people with a 25-decibel hearing loss, classified as mild, were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling. Every additional 10-decibels of hearing loss increased the chances of falling by 1.4 fold. If you or a family member are concerned about hearing loss, visit NexGenHearing.com to take a free online hearing test. -NexGen Hearing

Join Our Place Society on February 23rd for a evening time walk in solidarity with Victoria’s Homeless community. Sign up for an engaging evening of social action to help the people in your society who need it the most. The evening will include music, food, entertainment and prizes as well as a chance to meet and connect with the homeless community you’ve come to support. This is a family friendly event, appropriate for all ages! For event details or to volunteer, walk by yourself, join a team or start a team at CNOY.org/location/victoriapandora

1. Examine your skin monthly, with your partner’s help, they can see the parts you can’t!
2. Sun-avoidance-choose wisely what time of day you go out in the sun.
3. Sun-protection-Not all sun wear is created equal and may not provide adequate protection against sun damage, check labels that say UV proof. Full brim hats also offer protection, but make sure the brim is at least four inches.
4. Sunscreen-When purchasing a sunscreen look for the CDA logo. It will have UVB and UVA protection. Use as least an SPF 50 during the summer months or when on holiday in warmer climes. A daily year round sunscreen could be SPF 30. Get your partner to apply sunscreen, it’s great for the relationship!
5. For possible sunscreen allergies or irritations speak with your pharmacist or Dermatologist.
6. Worried about chemicals in sunscreen? Go for ones that reflect UV and contain purely Zinc or Titanium oxides.
7. Reapply! Throughout the day, keeping an eye out for red bits that signal its time to cover up and put on aloe vera!
8. Moisturize your skin
9. Stop smoking-Ask yourself, do you want to have the skin of a plum or a prune? Same goes for UV tanning and over exposure to UV rays from the sun.
10. See a board certified Dermatologist at least once this year for a medical assessment of moles and skin cancer risk. It’s covered by MSP and can give you and your doctor a baseline for future skin checks. To learn about options for improving your skin appearance ask your board certified Dermatologist about a Cosmetic Consultation.
11. If you have acne, or Rosacea, get it sorted out before it requires laser therapy for acne scarring or Rosacea redness. A consultation with a Board Certified Dermatologist about acne or Rosacea is covered by MSP.