Extra hand washing and showering along with cold, windy days and indoor heating can dehydrate our skin, leaving it feeling dry and sore over Winter. Here’s 9 ways you can keep your skin feeling its best ...
We should be regularly checking our skin for signs of sun damage, and this is your gentle reminder. Skin cancers are caused by UV radiation damaging the skin, so it is best to wear sunscreen all year round. Fair skin, ageing, family history, or a large number of moles and other factors can make you more prone to skin cancers. If you are over 50 years, systematically check every part of your body monthly, including the scalp and soles of the feet. See your Doctor if you notice spots that are new, changing, rough or scaly, thickened or raised or aren’t healing. The first sign of a melanoma is often an unusual looking mole or freckle that may be itchy,...
There may be many reasons for poor sleep and tiredness, one is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and it often goes undiagnosed. OSA is where a person’s upper airway collapses during their sleep ...
Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders play sport every year for enjoyment and to keep in shape. While exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, constant stop-start movements in many sports can place stress on muscles and joints. There are a few simple things you can do to ensure you get the most out of your fitness programme and help prevent injuries.
I saw a quote recently that said “Reality is the leading cause of stress among those in touch with it”. Stress is now so ingrained in our culture but what is it? A stressor is defined as anything that causes stress to an organism. When faced with a stressor, our body reacts with a “fight or flight” response, causing a surge of chemicals and immune cells. This is perfect if we need to get out of the way of an oncoming car but excessive stress over long periods of time increases our immune system activity and eventually depletes our resources, impairing the function of the immune system. The aim is not to completely avoid pressure but to find a balance.
