It's no surprise that this summer has been a challenging one with ongoing restrictions due to COVID-19. While social distancing is the best and safest thing you can do right now, you and your children may start to feel a little antsy—and that’s completely normal.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has named July as Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month. The main goal of this observance is to educate on the importance of protecting your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US and affects roughly 5 million Americans annually.

Although it has just been 5 weeks since the United States went into quarantine, it seems much longer for hospitals and clinics that are not only trying to care for both Covid and non-Covid patients but also attempting to secure supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) for their health care workers. Hospitals have first priority for masks, leaving clinics woefully under-supplied. Luckily, I am part of a large group of women who volunteer their sewing skills to create reusable menstrual pads for distribution in developing world countries. We repurposed the cotton used in the construction of the Days for Girls menstrual kits to make fabric masks. Other groups throughout the city had the same idea and soon elastic for the ear loops was difficult to obtain.

We often take our feet for granted by squeezing them into shoes that may not fit the best or neglecting a thorough care routine. But as you probably already know, any kind of small problem like an ingrown toenail or a blister can become very painful and prevent you from participating in your everyday activities.

Although it's okay to enjoy your favorite treats in moderation, it’s important to make sure you’re eating plenty of heart-healthy foods to keep your circulatory system and heart working at its best.