From the monthly archives:

April 2008

Did you know that SPF puts an aluminium shield across your skin to deflect the harmful suns rays.

This aluminium shield can allegedly cause certain people to develop skin cancer.

In America USA this is a very big litigation subject. Probably only a matter of time before we get to hear about this.

Many people prefer PABA-free products. PABA stands for Para-Amino Benzoic Acid, which is a suspected carcinogen. Even so, many adult sunscreen lotions contain it. (Isn’t that ironic? Your sunscreen might actually cause cancer!)

Sunscreens formulated specifically for babies and children are PABA-free. They are generally gentler, and they should not sting eyes. Baby sunblock is available in SPF 15, SPF 30, and even SPF 45. Adults may certainly use these products if they wish too. Try to buy sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection.

As Dr. Mark Birch-Machin explained, “As Cancer Research UK’s  sunsmart campaign”   To stay safe in the sun:

  • Stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm
  • Don’t rely on sunscreen alone
  • Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs, and a wide-brimmed hat
  • Wear sunglasses that block UV light to protect your eyes
  • If on the beach, wear sun-protective clothing, including swimsuits and wetsuits
  • Remember to take extra care with children’s skin
  • Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more
  • Never burn, as sunburn causes permanent damage

Some reports show that eastern statistics (in relation to skin cancer) are much lower than the west. This could be because they do not use SPF protection and probably use natural protection found in ’sweet almond oils’ or ‘grape-seed oils’ and follow the above ’sunsmart’ rules, only without the spf.

It’s worth considering next time you go out in the sun

Let me know your views on this controversial issue.

Dawn Pugh

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I have long been a fan of meditation and find the whole experience of shutting the body down for 15 to 20 minutes a day  an extremly effective way of creating some kind of harmony within our selves.

I came across a meditation technique for the prevention of depression called ‘Compassion meditation.’The method was inspired by Tibetan Buddhists, specifically the Dalai Lama, who is an associate professor at Emory University in Atlanta where the meditation process is being studied.

The idea behind ‘Compassion meditation’ is that “our perceptions of other people are flawed” and that “we tend naturally to see some people as friends and other people as enemies and a whole bunch of people in the middle who are sort of non-entities”. The theory is that those people in the middle become important later on. ‘Dr. Charles Raison,’ of Emory University.

‘Dr. Raison’ also gives an example that “through the process of meditation it is hoped that people can become more equitable toward everyone, which will in turn reduce our chances of having depression.”

Apparently the results of studies are very promising.

Anyone can learn to meditate.

Inflammation and compassion meditation

A BBC radio health journal reporting the benefits of metta meditation on health (inflammation). (specifically towards the end of the broadcast) http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/healthc/healthc_20081228-2300a.mp3.

Re: Inflammation and compassion meditation

Thanks for posting this. Of interest. Sheranne.

Effect of compassion meditation on neuroendocrine, innate immune …

As stated by Charles Raison in New York Academy of Sciences Magazine: “…data from our group do suggest that when people learn through compassion meditation to see the world more realistically (ie, as a safer , more nurturing place) then …

Dawn Pugh

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Anger Management Breakthrough

April 28, 2008

Anger management - is it a problem for you?
Is anger destroying your relationships or causing problems at work? 
Do people walk on eggshells around you for fear of  upsetting you?
Do you want to change but don’t know how to?
Over the past couple of weeks I have been evaluating a service that provides
Online Anger Management Class.  The [...]

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Suicide Jokes Help Joan Rivers

April 25, 2008

Dr Pamela Connolly (Pamela Stephenson) better known as the wife of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly is a well established psychiatrist hosting her own TV show called ‘Shrink Rap’ on More4 TV interviewing celebrities, asking probing questions, exploring and presenting a side that we the public do not necessarily get the opportunity to experience.
This week she interviewed the notorious ‘Joan Rivers’. A [...]

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Doctor Hears Voices

April 24, 2008

Monday nights TV Channel 4.  A true story  of a young female who suffered schizophrenia yet managed to study to become a doctor.
A disturbing drama which gave a very clear insight into this mental illness. As a junior doctor  she began to hear a voice telling her to kill herself and others, she turned to Rufus May, who [...]

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Anxiety Can Take Over Your Life

April 23, 2008

Every day anxiety can cause huge disruptions in people’s lives.
People may feel nervousness about their job or life. There might be concern for a loved one or they might be apprehensive about the future.
Physical symptoms are often an expression of ones anxiety, stress, panic, worries etc…
These feelings are perfectly natural.
However, it can become a real problem when [...]

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Hillary Clintons concerns for LGBT (Lesbian,Gay,Bi-Sexual,Transgender) teens

April 22, 2008

An excellent video of Hillary stating her concerns in relation to issues around the  mental health of young LGBT(Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Transgender) adults. 
” Homosexuality is not immoral” Hillary Clinton. 
Showing a genuine sense of commitment to gay teens she expresses a clear message of value and self worth  conveying acceptance and understanding, supporting the idea of gay teen schools. Hillary talks about global [...]

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Children and Drugs - Unknown effects

April 21, 2008

I came across this interesting article from ‘Dr Charles Parker CorePsycBlog’
Psych meds are often written for children with little appreciation of the overall metabolic issues present in the child. -If we don’t understand the child’s ability to metabolize medications, don’t look adequately for comorbid conditions which can effect metabolic rates, and don’t think about drug [...]

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Find a Therapist - Top 10

April 17, 2008

Below is a list of 10 find a therapist web sites where you can get help from professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counselors, marriage and family therapists and psychiatrists. 
They will offer help on a number of issues such as addiction, anxiety, depression, food & diet, relationships, stress, sex and career problems.
Therapists orientation will include Cognitive Behavioral (CBT),  psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, [...]

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Your Thoughts are Like a Ride On The Bus

April 16, 2008

We cannot stop automatic thoughts entering into our minds but we can choose how much time and energy we give to them. 
Imagine your negative thoughts are like a bus and your mind is the bus terminal.
In other words we choose if we get on the bus or not. 

If we do get on the bus we can [...]

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