With the sunny weather, more of our skin is on display and exposed to the elements. We want our skin to look smooth and healthy; healthy skin is vital to our survival. Our skin is an organ that we wear on the outside to protect what is inside. The products that we put on our skin and on our faces are just as important as what we put into our body. To avoid harmful chemicals and allergens, use skin products made with pure organic essential oils and natural ingredients to hydrate, nourish, pamper and repair your skin – naturally. Make sure to read the label. Look for skincare products with no nasty chemicals, preservatives or artificial fragrances.

If you hear people say there’s nothing to do here in Nanaimo, they may not be aware of the many events that take place in our beautiful city in the summer. Between the playground program for kids at various parks, to family fun nights to concerts in the park at Bowen and Maffeo Sutton Park, there is so much to do for every member of the family. For all the details on the many events and program happening in your city this summer, go to our website. Have a happy and active summer!

Pulled muscles and strains are very common and can happen easily. A pulled or strained muscle occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. They are usually the result of fatigue, overuse or improper use of the muscle. Pulled muscles or strains can happen anywhere in the body and can be treated for 15-20 minute with ice/heat packs and anti-inflammatory medications. Resting the muscle for a couple days and continuing to use ice/heat packs is the best way to quick healing. Stretching properly before walking or running allows the muscles to become less tight which may lead to less injuries.

Gambling “responsibly” means different things to different people. Everyone has their own idea of what “responsible”, “safe” or “fun” looks like. Regardless of what responsible gambling means to you or to someone else, some common themes of Responsible Gambling include: 1) always make informed decisions about gambling 2) only gamble with money that isn’t needed for something else; 3) have an awareness of how gambling works and the common false beliefs that can get people into trouble & 4) be aware of your own feelings to avoid being frustrated, anxious or depressed when gambling.

High frequency consonants are responsible for the clarity of speech. When people hear the low and medium pitches well, they hear that someone is speaking, but if they have high frequency hearing loss, they miss the high pitches. Deprivation can happen when people wait a long time before addressing their hearing loss auditory. When the auditory centers of the brain and the auditory nerves are not stimulate properly they can weaken over time. This results in a decline in a person’s speech processing ability. Contact a Hearing Care Professional for a FREE hearing test and take your first steps towards better hearing.