The World Health Organisation (WHO) organised Hand Hygiene Day on the 5^th and 7^th of May this year.

It called for healthcare facilities to create their own action plan based on using the WHO Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework. WHO prepared 3 Template Action Plans – inadequate/basic results, intermediate results or advanced/leadership results to help facilitate the development of individual action plans. Participants were then called to share their hand hygiene activities in support of SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands, on their own web pages. You can see some of the results here.

While the activities by WHO were mainly targeted at healthcare organisations, here are a few interesting facts about and tips for the importance of good hand hygiene in everyday settings.

An article in Parenting Australia reported that*:

• 59% of Aussie households only change their kitchen cleaning cloth when it gets too dirty and smelly (46%) or ragged and worn out (13%).
• Only 23% of adults use an antibacterial soap or hand wash.
• 47% of people don’t always cover their mouth when they cough and only 10% use the health department recommended alternative of their elbow if they cough or sneeze.
• 36% of national households believe they would fail an independent cleanliness test (11% of which said they would fail miserably).
• 1 in 10 admitted to having used the same cleaning cloth in the bathroom and kitchen once or twice.
• 54% of Aussies never or only once a year disinfect their home from top to bottom.
• 55% say their home is not as clean as they would like because they don’t have enough time, 31% hate cleaning and 21% said why bother because it doesn’t stay clean for long.

Here are some tips for us all to adopt good hand hygiene habits:

• Wash your hands regularly especially before and after eating, after going to the toilet and when you first get home.
• Use targeted disinfection on surfaces.*
• Clean contaminated surfaces with products that kill germs.*
• On frequently touched surfaces a spray disinfectant can be used that kills the common cold and flu virus and helps prevent it from spreading further.
• Use more hygienic disposable wipes instead of household sponges.*
• Cover noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing and remember to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.*
• Remember to use good hygiene practice while and after being outdoors.
• Hand sanitisers can offer fast germ protection and are suitable for those occasions when you aren’t able to wash your hands.
• Use a tissue instead of a handkerchief and dispose of it immediately after use. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.*

*(Source, Germwatch Study, Galaxy Research)

Read the original article at Parenting Australia

Ethanol is a type of alcohol. Alcohol is an effective germ-killing agent that has been used for many centuries.¹ Alcohol has been proven to kill germs such as bacteria².

Ethanol kills bacteria by denaturing proteins in the cell membrane, disrupting cell activity and eventually leading to cell death.

You will find ethanol in Aqium Hand Sanitisers, which kill 99.99% of germs fast. Aqium is a quick and convenient way to sanitise your hands on the go because it is non sticky and air dries quickly so you don’t need to wash, rinse or dry your hands. Aqium also contains moisturisers to help leave your hands soft.

1. Larson EL, Morton HE. Alcohols. In S. S. Block, editors.: Disinfectants and Antiseptics. A. By Chemical Type. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1991. p.191-203.

2. Ansari SA, Sattar SA, Springthorpe VS, Wells GA, Tostowaryk W. In vivo protocol for testing efficacy of hand-washing agents against viruses and bacteria: experiments with rotavirus and Escherichia coli. Appl Environ Microbiol 1989; 55 (12): 3113–3118

Here at Ego this month we are all about eating well to improve your skin. This recipe for healthy carrot cake is courtesy of Teresa Cutter: one of Australia’s leading authorities on healthy cooking. This cake is perfect for a late Mother’s Day treat (and full of skin-improvers such as Omega 3!)

I love using ground almonds, quinoa and linseeds (flaxseeds) and chia when baking gluten free cakes. Almonds top the list because they make any cake or muffin so delicious and moist, plus they are packed with protein to help your body repair.  Red and yellow vegetables such as carrots contains vitamin A precursers called carotenoids (Beta carotene) that help promote vision and support a healthy immune system. I’ve used macadamia nut oil in place of butter which is a delicious source of anti-inflamatory heart healthy fats, you can also use a mild flavoured olive oil. I’ve topped my cake with a good quality thick bio yoghurt and decorated with omega 3 rich walnuts. Enjoy!

500 g (3 large) grated carrots
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups (300 g) almond meal
¼ cup (60 ml) macadamia nut or olive  oil
¼ cup honey
1 cup raisins
2 teaspoons gluten free baking powder

Preheat your oven to 160 C.
Combine carrot, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, almond meal, oil, honey, raisins and baking powder.
Mix well until combined.
Pour into a prepared 20 cm baking tin.
Bake for 1 –  1½  hours or until cooked through.
Cover if necessary with foil.
Remove from the oven and cool completely in the tin then turn out.
Serve alone or topped with thick natural yoghurt or topping of your choice.
Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days – it freezes well too!
Serves 16.

Topping suggestions:

I’ve used thick natural organic yoghurt for my topping, you can also use the following:

1 whipped ricotta with a little cinnamon, vanilla and honey.
2 A dairy free cream made from 1 cup of raw cashew nuts or macadamias blended with 1/2 cup of water or orange juice and a little vanilla. Blend in a good quality blender like a vitamix until smooth and creamy. Allow to sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to thicken slightly Add a touch more water if you need to thin it down a little.
3 Neutachafel cheese blended with a little lemon, vanilla + honey.

Article Source: http://www.thehealthychef.com/2012/03/my-healthy-carrot-cake/

Image Source: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2365 Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Do you have trouble getting to sleep? At least here at Ego we know that our QV Night Cream is working hard when we are not!

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Before fatigue wreaks havoc on your health, pinpoint what’s keeping you up so you can get a solid night’s sleep.

Do you constantly use the word ‘tired’ to describe how you’re feeling? More than 1.2 million Australians feel the same way. This statistic is worrying as experts suggest a healthy amount of sleep goes well beyond making you feel on top of your game, improving your mood and preventing under-eye circles.

Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and can help reduce stress, increase your energy, boost concentration, reduce accidents, help maintain a healthy weight, improve heart and immune system health, and may even add years to your life.

The good news is there are plenty of ways you can beat a bad night’s sleep. We’ve identified the most common sleep challenges and reveal how you can get a satisfying 40 winks — starting tonight.

“I can’t fall asleep”

Ideally you should fall asleep within 30 minutes of your head hitting the pillow. However, if sleep eludes you this can be stressful, which makes your sleeplessness worse. “It’s perfectly normal for it take between 15 and 30 minutes to fall asleep, but if it takes any longer than 30 minutes, three times a week over four weeks, this is defined as chronic insomnia,” says Dr Delwyn Bartlett, psychologist and insomnia specialist at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Sydney.

What you can do: An inability to fall asleep quickly is often caused by people teaching themselves to think in bed, says Bartlett.

“People who sleep well let sleep happen, and don’t go to bed and start thinking or worrying,” she says. Remember your bed is a place for sleep and sex only. Before you go anywhere near it at night write down tomorrow’s to-do list. This gets anything you’re concerned about out of your head and will help you rest easy as you’ve let go of the day’s worries.

“I’m too wired to sleep”

Stress is just one side effect of feeling under the pump. And if you’re constantly burning the candle at both ends, worrying about making ends meet, and multi-tasking household and work priorities, your sleep may suffer as a result. Long-term activation of the stress-response system — and overexposure to stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline — puts you at an increased risk of numerous health problems, including disrupted sleep, reports the Mayo Clinic.

What you can do: Take time to wind down before you hit the sack at night as this will give your body time to transition from the full-throttle speed you’ve been going at all day to a slower pace, ready for sleep. You can do this by turning your TV, computer and smartphone off and having a relaxing bath by candlelight; listening to soft music; reading by a low light; or doing some gentle stretching and deep breathing.

“I can’t stay asleep”

Waking throughout the night or in the early hours of the morning is a common complaint. If you suffer from frequent waking you may be experiencing sleep maintenance insomnia, which suggests you’re not getting enough deep sleep and are likely to be tired during the day. According to the Mayo Clinic, these mid-sleep awakenings often occur during periods of stress, and depression may also be a factor.

What you can do: Waking during the night is normal, reassures Bartlett. “On average we wake between three and four times a night.” Waking up isn’t the problem — it’s if you start thinking or become wired that causes an issue, she says. If you find your mind starts racing, get up. Sit on your bedroom floor in the dark and do nothing. This may help calm a racing mind, but the main aim is to become bored and uncomfortable so sleeping in your bed will feel like a much better option.

By Erin Kisby.

Article Source: http://health.ninemsn.com.au/family/goodhealthandmedicine/8403454/ways-to-sleep-better
Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Summer may officially be over as of tomorrow, but don’t get complacent!

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AS Australians, many of us have had the phrase “slip, slop, slap” ingrained in us since birth, but do we always practice what we preach?

Although we all love designer sunscreens, wide-brimmed hats and sunnies, sunburn still seems to be considered an inevitable part of summer, and skin cancer cases continue to rise.

Manager of SunSmart Victoria, Sue Heward, says simply knowing the slogan isn’t enough to keep the UV rays away.

“Australia is one of the skin cancer capitals of the world. People are either not using enough sun protection or forgetting to protect themselves,” she says.

“Whether it’s sunburn or tanning, they’re both examples of the skin cells in trauma.”

With that in mind, here’s some advice to protect you from the rays this summer.

Sunburn myths
Although summer is when the UV rays are at their highest, a cloudy day doesn’t mean you don’t have to protect your skin. Whenever the UV index reaches 3 or above (this information can be found on the Bureau of Meteorology website or in the newspaper), you should apply sunscreen.

“A lot of people would be surprised that UV can be high without it being really hot or sunny,” Heward says. “You can get sunburn in just 11 minutes.”

Other myths Heward is keen to bust is that you can’t be burnt underwater, and that being sun-smart means missing out on important vitamin D from the sun.

“When the UV is at its height, you only need a few minutes of sun to get your vitamin D levels,” she says.

What to do when you’re burnt
Even the most savvy sun-smart person occasionally gets burnt. The key is to go indoors as soon as you notice a burn, drink lots of water to ward off dehydration, and avoid skin irritators such as soap. To avoid sunburn in the future, Heward suggests you find a broad spectrum, water-resistant 30-plus sunscreen that you like the feel and smell of – if you hate your sunscreen, you are less likely to put enough on, and to reapply later.

“Every time you get burnt it all adds up and increases your long-term risk of getting skin cancer somewhere down the track,” Heward says. “We need to remember that about 1830 people die from skin cancer every year.”

It’s never too late
Whether you’re a child, a teenager or someone who has spent most of your life frolicking in the sun, it’s never too late to start being sunsmart. Although the amount of sun childen are exposed to can affect their risk of skin cancer, Heward says that it is possible to “turn it around”.

But young people be warned: when choosing outfits for summer festivals, think carefully.

“Ideally, don’t go in tank tops; people’s backs just get so sunburnt,” Heward says.

“Get your friends to squirt sunscreen all over you every two hours.”

Article source: http://www.melbournetimesweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/the-look-try-these-tips-to-outsmart-the-sun/2365028.aspx?storypage=0

Image source: © africa | www.freedigitalphotos.net
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Apart from the obvious health tips like stay hydrated and  be sun smart, there are other factors that could mean summer is not necessarily good for your health. Does your health suffer in summer?

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There are the obvious ways summer affects your health — the sun burns your skin if you don’t apply sunscreen, while the heat makes you sweat more. But there are also a few other warm-weather reactions you might want to know about, both good and bad.

Sun may be bad if you’re on painkillers
Whether you’re taking them for backache, headaches or arthritis, painkillers such as ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can make your skin more sun sensitive. The contraceptive pill, the anti-malarial drug doxycycline and most antihistamines can also cause the same reaction.

“When UV rays hit your skin they react with the drug in the bloodstream to trigger inflammation,” explains Dr Shane Jackson, president of the Tasmanian branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. “This can trigger itching, redness and raised areas of the skin, or cause the skin to burn or blister with even just a little sun exposure.”

Not everyone has this reaction but, if you do, choosing the right sunscreen will protect you. “The rays that cause the most problems are UVA rays, which are
only screened out by broad-spectrum sunscreens,” says Associate Professor Peter Foley from the Australasian College of Dermatologists. He also suggests upping the antioxidant levels in your diet. “Free radicals are part of the inflammatory reaction, but taking antioxidants may help reduce them.”

Summer is good if you are a frequent flyer
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on flights — for every two hours you spend on a plane, your risk of DVT increases by 26 percent. But you’re less likely to suffer from DVT in summer than winter, say French researchers. The thinner blood and wider blood vessels that boost heart health in warmer weather are believed to be the protective factors here.

But you can do more to protect yourself from DVT — new research from the US’s Lahey Medical Centre found your risk is greater if you have a window seat as you’re less likely to move about, so always ask for an aisle seat. “And when you’re seated move your arms and legs to boost circulation, and drink plenty of water and not much alcohol to avoid dehydration,” says Dr Priti Bhatt from
Sydney Aviation Medical Centre.

Summer is bad if you’re prone to kidney stones
Kidney stones are twice as likely to occur in summer, and are more common in those living in hotter states like Queensland. “Dehydration is the most likely reason,” says medical director of Kidney Health Australia Dr Tim Mathew. “The normal function of the kidney is to flush out chemicals — even normal urine is full of compounds like calcium that can crystallise,” Dr Mathew says. “Dehydration causes these to concentrate, making crystals more likely to form.”

To reduce the risk, check your urine. The darker it is, the more concentrated your urine and the higher your risk. You should be drinking enough fluid that your urine is a light lemon colour.

Hot weather may be bad if you have diabetes
“In hot weather, the rate of absorption of insulin may increase due to the widening of blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the skin,” says Steven James,
a diabetes educator at Diabetes NSW. “This may lead to altered blood-glucose control and increased potential for hypoglycaemia.” This applies specifically to diabetes that’s controlled by insulin injections.

It’s vital diabetics monitor blood-glucose levels more frequently in summer and carry snacks to treat or prevent hypoglycaemia. Remember that insulin and testing equipment, like glucose-monitoring strips, only work within recommended temperature ranges, so be careful where you store them.

Article source: http://health.ninemsn.com.au/family/goodhealthandmedicine/987203/summertime-and-your-health

Image source: © imagerymajestic | www.freedigitalphotos.net
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What better way to start off the new year by reading some great tips on getting healthier! Are you inspired? Make 2012, the ‘year of health’!

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1. Have a healthier barbecue
Before you throw another snag on the barbie, consider that cooking or chargrilling meat at high temperatures has been linked to the formation of carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

2. Make the beach your gym
Rather than queuing for the treadmill, head to the beach for a full-body workout. “It’s free and the equipment is all there: sand dunes, stairs, benches, pools and the surf,” says Tina Rutzou, master trainer at Beachside Personal Fitness.

3. Sound out the ocean
Listening to the sound of ocean waves can not only help to reduce your blood pressure and heart rate, it can regulate brain waves to promote a state of “alert relaxation”.

4. Sip chilled water
Drinking chilled water boosts metabolism by 24 percent for up to 90 minutes after consumption, due to the energy the body expends warming up the water, German researchers say.

5. Know the signs of heat stress
Also known as sunstroke, heat stress occurs when the body is unable to cool itself, leading to cramps, headaches, dizziness and nausea. “As soon as heat stress occurs, it’s vital to cool the person down and rehydrate them,” says Dr Ronald McCoy, spokesperson for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

“If their body temperature keeps rising, they can develop heatstroke [where body temperature reaches 40.5°C or higher], which is a medical emergency,” Dr McCoy says. Warning signs for heatstroke include a high temperature, rapid pulse, dry swollen tongue, lack of sweating, and confusion. “Call an ambulance, get the person into a cool, shady area and dampen their skin, but don’t give them fluids
as they could choke if unconscious,” Dr McCoy says.

6. Know your SPF rules
Do choose the highest possible protection. The Cancer Council Australia recommends using a broad-spectrum SPF 30+, which blocks both UVA
and UVB rays.

Don’t use old sunscreens. “Sunscreens contain chemical formulations that break down over time, so re-stock at the start of each summer,” advises Dr Terry Piva, skin-cancer expert at Melbourne’s RMIT University.

Do apply enough. “Sunscreens are supposed to be applied 1mm thick — if you apply them too thinly you won’t get the full SPF reading,” explains Dr Piva.

Don’t forget to reapply. “Don’t assume that applying sunscreen in the morning will cover you for the day,” Dr Piva says. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before stepping outdoors, then every two hours throughout the day.

Do broaden your defence. Sunscreen alone can’t give you 100 percent UV protection, so be sun-smart by avoiding being outdoors during peak UV times — between 11am and 3pm in the summer months — and wearing a hat and
protective clothing.

7. Make a super-salad
If you’re planning to live on salads over summer, make sure they are nutritionally balanced. “A good salad should contain complex low-GI carbs, beneficial fats and lean protein,” says nutritionist Zoe Bingley-Pullin, author of Eat Taste Nourish (New Holland, $29.95). “Tinned salmon, tuna, beans or tofu are great protein sources, and a little bit of mashed avocado or olive oil will give you the good fats,” she adds.

8. Take the 21-day challenge
Simply swap your normal milk for soy milk on your cereal for 21 days. Sanitarium So Good is challenging Australians to give it a go. Research shows that 21 days
is the length of time it takes for a new habit to form, and you could be reaping soy’s health benefits, such as lower cholesterol and blood pressure and strong bones. To sign up, visit www.deltasogoodrem.com.au.

9. Get fit with a frisbee
“Carry a frisbee in the back of your car as an excuse for a run around with your children,” suggests Susannah Marriott in 1001 Ways to Get in Shape (Dorling Kindersley, $39.95). “Running, leaping to catch, and throwing build cardiovascular fitness and endurance,” she says.

10. Put your feet first
As much as we love them, thongs can harm foot health. “Thongs make the small muscles in your feet work harder and can lead to poor posture, shin splints, and knee and hip pain,” says Brenden Brown, president of the Australasian Podiatry Council.

The good news is, you can still wear thongs — but in moderation. “It’s okay at the beach or pool, but avoid them if you’re going to be out of the house for a long time. Choose supportive, lace-up shoes, like sneakers, instead,” Brown says.

Article source: http://health.ninemsn.com.au/family/goodhealthandmedicine/981653/ten-ways-to-a-healthier-summer

Image source: © Roman Milert | Dreamstime.com
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In our harsh Australian climate, well all need to do just more than apply sunscreen for skin protection! Here’s an article with some great tips/facts & suggestions to help our skin this summer.

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SIMPLY slipping on a singlet and slopping on some sunscreen before hitting the beach, sporting field or backyard isn’t enough, experts say.

Sunscreen should be the last line of defence against the hot summer sun,
not the first.

“Sunscreen … is more effective when it is combined with other sun protection strategies,” says Professor Michael Kimlin, program head of the Australian sun and health research laboratory at the Queensland University of Technology.

“The World Health Organisation recommends sunscreen as a last line of defence.”

Australia’s clear skies and proximity to the equator means that our predominantly pale population cop a roasting all year round.

“Levels of UV exposure in Australia are extraordinarily high, in fact, the summertime UV levels that are recorded in the Netherlands are equivalent to the wintertime UV levels we record in Brisbane,” says Kimlin.

Australia’s clean air also contributes to our UV exposure with very little pollution to filter the suns’ rays.

“We should be looking at reducing our time outside at peak UV times between 10am and 3pm and using protective clothing and shade where possible,”
Kimlin says.

For those worried about getting their vitamin D dose, slopping on the sunscreen won’t stop you getting it.

While some studies have found that sunscreen stops the body producing vitamin D, a recent Australian study found this wasn’t the case.

“People who used sunscreen the most had the highest vitamin D levels of the people we tested in Brisbane,” Kimlin says.

This is because, unlike in lab tests, people don’t apply sunscreen to every inch of their body so are still able to absorb the vitamin.

“Vitamin D is not reduced through the use of sunscreen, what we found was that it might even be enhanced because people are actually spending time in the outdoors,” says Kimlin.

Even when using sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30+ most people are only getting the protection of SPF 15 + sunscreens, says Gavin Greenoak, the scientific director of the Australian photobiology testing facility Sydney University.

“There are many studies showing that the amount of sunscreen people use is a half or a third of the amount we use in laboratories,” says Greenoak.

“So if a person applies SPF 30+ but only uses half the amount, then they are only getting around SPF 15+ protection,” he said.

UV radiation is the biggest risk factor for skin cancer in Australia with 98-99 per cent of skin cancers related to excessive sunlight exposure, Kimlin says.

And people who use sunscreen are at lower risk of certain types of non-melanoma cancer and sunspots, Kimlin says.

Skin cancer facts

What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer occurs when skin cells are damaged from over exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

More than 200,000 Australians are treated for skin cancer each year.

Fair-skinned Aussies are in the highest risk but those with olive complexions are not immune to the problem.

A tan is a sign that the skin is getting UV radiation damage. It is not a sign of good health, rather that skin cells are in trauma.

The Australasian College of Dermatologists says exposure to sunlight during childhood and teenage years is a major factor in causing skin cancers.

There are three main types of skin cancer.

Melanoma

• Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
• Australia and New Zealand have the world’s highest incidence of melanoma.
• In summer, the earth’s orbit brings Australia closer to the sun, resulting in an additional 7 per cent solar UV intensity.
• Increased UV levels are also a result of the hole in the ozone layer.
• There are more than 10,300 cases diagnosed each year in Australia.
• In 2006, there were 1250 deaths from melanoma.

Non-melanoma skin cancers

• There were an estimated 430,000 new cases non-melanoma skin cancers diagnosed in Australia in 2008.
• In 2006, there were 410 reported deaths from non-melanoma skin cancers.

The two types of non-melanoma skin cancers are:

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

• BCC is the most common type of skin cancer with an estimated
• 296,000 cases in 2008.
• It grows from cells in the lower part of the upper layer of the skin.
• This type of skin cancer appears on the face, head, neck and can occur in difficult to treat areas such as near the eye and the lower legs.
• BCCs are more easily and successfully treated in their early stages.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

• The second most common form of skin cancer is the SCC and tend to grow much faster than BCCs.
• There were an estimated 138,000 SCC cases in 2008.
• They form a scaly, quick growing pink lump or wart-like growth.
• They most commonly occur on areas exposed to a lot of sunlight such as the face, ears, bald scalps, lips and backs of the hands.
• People who have had organ transplants, or medications to suppress their immune system, are at higher risk of developing SCCs.

What to look out for?

• The sooner a skin cancer is identified and treated, the better.
• Early detection means it’s possible to avoid surgery, scars and disfigurement or even death.
• People should watch out for any crusty, non-healing sores, small lumps that are red, pale or pearly in colour.
• They should also look for new spots, freckles or any moles changing in colour, thickness or shape over a period of weeks to months, especially those dark brown to black, red or blue-black in colour.
• People should see their doctor or a skin cancer clinic for a yearly skin check.

Risk factors:
Risk factors include increased numbers of unusual moles, a family history of skin cancer, fair skin, a tendency to burn rather than tan, freckles, light eye colour, light or red hair colour, previous melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancers.

How are skin cancers treated?
Skin cancers are always removed. In cases of advanced skin cancers surrounding tissue is removed to make sure that all of the cancerous cells have been taken out.

Skin cancers can be treated with ointments, radiation therapy and surgery (usually under a local anaesthetic), cryotherapy (using liquid nitrogen to rapidly freeze the cancer off), curettage (scraping) or cautery (burning).

How to convince teenagers that sun protection is important?
Parents should focus on the health and beauty effects of sun exposure such as premature ageing, wrinkles, blotches, freckles or burnt, peeling skin.

Another tip for parents is to allow teenagers to choose sun protection clothing and sunglasses that they will be happy to wear.

Some surf clothing companies produce funky bucket hats and wraparound sunglasses that will get the thumbs up.

*Sources: Cancer Council of Australia, Better Health Channel, Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Article source: http://www.lifestyle.com.au/style/saving-your-skin-this-summer.aspx

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If there ever is a reason to bring out the narcissist in you, this is it!!
The fab tip of taking photos of yourself – to use them to monitor your moles!! Have you ever had your moles checked?

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ALMOST everybody has moles. They are more common in pale-skinned people – such as European caucasians – but all races can have them. Some are present
at birth, but most come on during childhood or adolescence.

In their teenage years up to early adulthood, it is perfectly normal for people to develop further moles. Even if you develop a new one after the age of 15, it is unlikely to be something to worry about. But according to David Gawkrodger, professor of Dermatology at Sheffield University, it’s a good idea to spend a few minutes checking any newly appearing mole. The things to look out for are: if the mole rapidly enlarges, changes in colour (ie it becomes darker or lighter or goes red), if it is irregular in outline, if it starts to itch – and certainly if it starts to bleed
or ulcerate. If any of these changes occur, seek medical attention immediately.

A good tip to monitor moles is to use old photographs: sometimes people think a mole has suddenly appeared when it’s been present for years. If you do see a change, ask your doctor to refer you to a dermatologist who will place a dermascope over the mole to make any abnormalities visible.

Article source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jun/07/three-minute-fix-moles?INTCMP=SRCH

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No time to meditate? No time for a relaxing massage. Then read on for some super quick strategies to help you de-stress in a jiffy!

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STRESS can harm your heart and compromise your immune system, resulting in a lowered resistance to infection. Try these three quick tips to beat stress and bring instant calm.

1. Shrug Your Shoulders
This releases tension held in your neck and back. Slowly and deliberately raise your shoulders as close to your ears as you can while breathing in deeply; then slowly push them back and down in a rolling motion, breathing out. Repeat five times.

2. Take A Whiff
Several essential oils have powerful calming effects. Keep a bottle of lavender, sandalwood, or chamomile oil in your desk drawer and sniff as needed.
Or, dab a few drops of the oils on a hanky and carry it with you.

3. Find Your Pressure Points
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, applying pressure to particular acupressure points on your body helps release stagnant qi (chi, or life force or energy); blocked qi can make you feel sluggish and lethargic. On your right leg, find the small depression located four finger-widths down from your kneecap and one finger-width over toward the outside of your leg. Press your middle finger into this point for a count of one minute. Repeat with your other leg.

Article source: aww.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=775687

Image source: © Djordje Korovljevic | Dreamstime.com
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