HEALTH & WELLNESS SPECIAL SECTION
• Wearing eye cream. We have seen the commercials about preventing wrinkles. But when do you have to start? NOW! The skin around your eyes is very thin and just a short amount of sunlight could cause lasting wrinkles.
• Applying something with SPF to face, neck, and hands. Skipping the protection of an SPF could throw off your entire routine. Find a good moisturizer that combines protection with moisture and apply it to your face, neck, and hands. The neck and hands are often overlooked, but are prime spots for the sun to hit and cause wrinkles.
• Quitting bad habits. Now is a better time than ever to kick the bad habits you learned in high school and college. The number of benefits of canceling your package at the tanning salon and quitting smoking would take up this entire article, but for skin’ s sake, give them up!
TREATMENT YEARS Now is the time to treat the years of damage that the sun and other elements have caused to your skin.
• Put the right nutrients into your body. It’ s important to make sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs on the inside for radiant skin on the outside. This includes lots of water!
• Take cover when heading outside. SPF shouldn’ t be skipped at this age either and should be applied daily. Try adding a hat and cover your skin to prevent overexposure to the harmful rays of the sun, even in the cooler months.
• Find a good retinoid. Derived from vitamin-A, retinoids boost collagen production in the skin to stimulate blood vessels and unclog pores.
SEEING INTO THE FUTURE
Twenty-first century children will be looking beyond genetics as a cause for needing corrective eyewear, according to the American Optometric Association( AOA). In the Digital Age, children are exposed to electronic devices their whole lives as an integral part of social and educational practices. Teachers are continuing to increase the amount of digital technology used in the classroom, and it is expected that computer simulations will account for much of the learning style in the future. Both teachers and parents are finding that children are adapting well to the use of technology in the classroom, making learning more interactive and current than most textbook learning.
The AOA’ s 2015 American Eye-Q ® survey states that 41 percent of parents say their kids spend three or more hours per day using digital devices, and 66 percent of kids have their own smartphone or tablet. As technology becomes more of an essential part of modern life, it is important for parents to find balance in their children’ s digital usage. Electronic devices, including televisions, give off blue and violet light that may affect vision by causing eyestrain and discomfort. If your children have to do their homework using the computer or tablet, keep the television off during dinnertime and instead enjoy conversation together. Optometrists also researched the importance of natural sunlight exposure to the eyes and say that the lack of exposure to natural light could affect the growth and development of vision.
DIGITAL EYESTRAIN
• Burning
• Itchy or tired
• Increased headaches
• Fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Head and neck pain
The best way to properly monitor eye and vision health is to make sure your child gets a comprehensive eye exam every year.
KEEP YOUR TEETH & GUMS HEALTHY
A big smile can say a lot about your overall health, so if you’ ve been skipping out on the dentist, you may want to schedule your visit. A yearly dental visit protects against poor oral health that can lead to greater problems down the road. Good oral hygiene, including brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing, can protect against the damaging effects of gum disease. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that is due to plaque and tartar buildup on teeth, leaving gums red, swollen and irritated. When left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. A more serious and painful disease, periodontitis causes gums to pull away from teeth, allowing bacteria to build in the pockets between. Due to the infection and inflammation, your body’ s natural reaction is to fight the
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