I know that some people love the sun - I am not one of them! It seems that despite my best intentions there are at least a few times a year that I get too much sun and I end up looking like this.  After 40 years in this pale skin and with all of my medical knowledge you would think I would know better and not get burnt - apparently not.

Below are some TLC tips and first-aid recommendations for when you or your loved ones have gotten too much sun and you are dealing with dehydration, sun burns, rashes or sun/heat stroke: 

I am a freckled, green eyed, redhead - protecting myself from the sun is not optional.  As a child I spent most of my summer in the various stages of sunburn - red, blistered and/or peeling - sometimes all three at the same time! When I was younger it was only the pain and grossness of blistering & peeling that bothered me....now I know that sunburns are one of the main risk factors for skin cancer. 

I was in third year university (an eon ago) when I read studies that linked the use of chemical based sunscreens to an increase in skin cancer! What! The more I read the more I learned. I was shocked and angry to find out that all of the goopy, sticky lotions I diligently put on all of the time could be increasing my risk of skin cancer, disrupting my hormones &  increasing my exposure to other toxins!

Sleeping is my superpower...most of the time. My husband teases me that I can fall asleep anywhere and sleep through anything. I suppose that is why when I have the occasional bout of sleeplessness I really feel it. 

Like everyone else I have nights when I can't stop the thoughts & worries: finances, the kids, the house, work, laundry, global weather changes, reorganizing the shed, the kitchen reno, becoming bi-lingual...my mind is a crazy place at 2:30am! 

Most of the time I can track down the reason I am sleeping badly - too much caffeine, too much wine, working right until bedtime, aches & pains, etc. - and I alter my daily routine accordingly. Sometimes I need help. After 2-3 nights of sleeping badly or if it starts to be regular occurrence I realize that my system is out of whack and it is time to see my homeopath.

Things I have learned:
1. How you sleep is an indicator of your general state of health and vitality.  A lack of sleep impacts every aspect & level of your health - mental, emotional & physical.

2. Good sleep hygiene won't guarantee a good nights sleep,  but bad sleep hygiene equals a bad sleep.

3. Properly prescribed homeopathic treatment helps.