Prevention July 2024

GET OUT YOUR PENCIL! Going on vacation is one of life’s great pleasures—and science says it’s good for our health. Studies show that taking time off has a positive effect on a person’s mental state (more energy, less stress) and creativity, and simply having a vacay, staycation, or long weekend to look forward to contributes to overall well-being. Also, traveling boosts the brain because new experiences support cognitive function and neuroplasticity, studies indicate. What time-off excursions do you have coming up? WRITE DOWN AN UPCOMING VACATION OR BUCKET-LIST TRIP, THEN DAYDREAM TO REAP THAT “ANTICIPATION” MOOD BOOST.…

CELEBRATE NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH! If you’re looking for a new scoop to love, check out Tillamook ice cream—it’s made from high-quality dairy, and the company is committed to sustainability and fighting food waste. Explore flavors for all tastes including Coffee Almond Fudge, Oregon Strawberry, Marionberry Pie, and more. CHECK YOUR SPF STOCK. You don’t want to get caught without sun protection! Dermatologists recommend smearing on sunscreen with at least SPF 30 about half an hour before heading outdoors and reapplying it every two hours or after being in the water. There are sunblock options to satisfy any sensory need, from lotions to sprays, gels, and even powders. JUST LOOK UP. You may already know about the health benefits of nature, but research also shows that experiencing beautiful natural events like…

1 Which is not a symptom of acute dehydration? A Fatigue B Dizziness C Dry skin D Headache 2 Only liquids (not foods) count toward your daily H₂O intake. A True B False 3 Which factor doesn’t impact your need for hydration? A How many hours you sleep B Climate C Your exercise habits D Medication 4 What percentage of a woman’s body is water? A 50% B 55% C 60% D 75% 5 How much water should you strive to drink each day? A 8 glasses B 2 liters C 72 oz D It depends ANSWERS 1 IT’S TRUE THAT DEHY-DRATION can mess with skin’s appearance and quality, but this is usually after someone is underhydrated over a long period. When you’re acutely dehydrated (a.k.a. in the moment), you may experience clues such as dizziness, headache, fatigue, and darker urine. Signs that you…

■ Take this quiz from Whitney Miller, D.V.M., chief veterinarian at Petco, to find out how to keep your pet safe during the hottest days of summer? #1 DON’T TAKE YOUR PUP ON A WALK IF THE PAVEMENT IS HOT. True False #2 PUTTING OUT EXTRA WAT ER BOWLS IS THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE THAT YOUR PET DRINKS UP. True  False #3 HUMID DAYS ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN ORDINARY HOT DAYS. True False #4 DOGS CAN OVERHEAT ON HOT DAYS, BUT CATS WILL BE JUST FINE. True False ANSWERS 1 TRUE. You’re not a diva pet parent for worrying about your pooch’s paws getting burned by hot pavement—this really can happen. “If you can’t comfortably place your hand on the ground for at least seven seconds, it’s too hot for a dog’s paws,”…

Got a haircut or trim 3 POINTS Wore sunscreen every day 5 POINTS Washed my makeup brushes 5 POINTS Slept seven to eight hours per night 5 POINTS Got a pedicure 1 POINT Drank plenty of water 3 POINTS Gave myself a manicure 1 POINT Used heat protectant before styling 5 POINTS Removed my makeup before bed every night 5 POINTS Applied foot cream 3 POINTS Applied a nourishing hair mask 1 POINT Exfoliated my skin 3 POINTS 1 — 15 Hi there, beauty beginner! 16 — 3 0 Wow, you’re doing great! 31+ Congrats, you’re a total beauty pro!…

■ These lifestyle tricks from the American Academy of Ophthalmology can help keep eyestrain and dry eye at bay. TAKE BLINK BREAKS. We blink less when using digital devices, and that’s a problem when it comes to dry eye because blinking lubricates our peepers. Employ the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. ADJUST YOUR COMPUTER SETUP. Experts say to sit about 25 inches (about arm’s length) from the screen and to position the monitor or laptop so your eyes gaze slightly downward instead of straight ahead or up. Match your screen brightness to the light around you to reduce eyestrain; you can also increase the contrast to reduce symptoms like headache and dry eye. TRY…