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For him: Taking time to take care of yourself

Local Doctors (and Dads) Share How to Open the Door to a Longer, Healthier Life Fatherhood has many joys, but the stress of being a leader, provider, problem-solver, fix-it man, encourager, chauffeur, and disciplinarian can take a toll. In the long run, cutting stress and making a commitment to your health will help improve your…
Outdoor safety tips for summer

Just in Time for Fireworks and Grilling Season According to the American Pyrotechnics Association’s National Council on Firework Safety, each year in the United States, fireworks cause 20,000 fires and almost 10,000 people are injured from activities related to fireworks. On average, four people die from their injuries each year. What is extremely eye opening…
A campaign to help those with hearing loss

How the ‘Loop Florida’ Initiative Will Create Better Quality Hearing for those in Need “Loop Florida” is a phrase that you will be hearing more often from now on. On April 17, the Loop Florida initiative was officially launched. Spearheaded by the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center with participation by the Hearing Loss Association, Lakeland…

Editor’s Dose: Tips for minimizing back-to-school stress

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, then come early July you were already thinking about preparations for the new school year. Parents and children in the community this year are getting ready extra early because Polk County public schools moved up their calendar by one week — day one of school is August 15.
Making the choice to breastfeed

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH in Polk County (DOH-Polk) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) recognize August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month. This is a wonderful time of year to promote breastfeeding as a vital health activity and discuss the health benefits breastfeeding provides. Although every woman has their own…
Editor’s Dose: Keeping kids’ bodies and minds active this summer

WHEN I FIRST had the twins, my mom would say, “Have a schedule for them, or they’ll have a schedule for you.” Basically, she was cautioning that I’d better keep those little minds and bodies active, or chaos would inevitably ensue. Being a mother of eight children, I think she was speaking from personal experience.…