Stroke Awareness Month 1st-31st
A stroke is an attack on the brain which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off in a certain place. This then causes that part of the brain to become damaged or die. The effects of a stroke can be very different depending on the severity and which area of the brain has been affected. Strokes can be permanent but it is also possible to recover from one, but a sufferer will always be at greater risk of a stroke. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/
Stroke Awareness Month raises funds that are needed to support sufferers and to get the correct information into the community so that people know the signs of a stroke and what to do if they suspect they or someone else is having a stroke. https://www.stroke.org.uk/get-involved/stroke-awareness-month
National Walking Month 1st-31st
Walking is one of the easiest and quickest ways to increase exercise and improve physical and mental wellbeing. Walking can also help to reduce reliance on vehicles as transport, if you decide to walk a short journey instead! A regular 20-minute walk can also help to prevent diseases such as heart disease, cancer and mental health problems. This year, Living Streets have put together 20 tips to help you fit a 20-minute walk into your day, and they challenge you to see how many of the 20 tips you can do this month. https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/national-walking-month
Skin Cancer Awareness Month 1st-31st
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. This year there is a big focus on how to stay safe in the sun, to help prevent the development of skin cancer, and to lower your risk of this. Some tips include: drinking plenty of water, covering up with a hat and sleeves, wearing a 5* UVA protection sun cream, wearing sunglasses, and limiting your time in the sun. These little changes can really ensure you keep yourself safe so that you can enjoy your time in the sun worry-free! https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-awareness/skin-cancer-awareness-month
It has been found that many people in the UK don’t know the proper way to apply sun cream; yet knowing this is vital as it ensures the sun cream is protecting you properly. An average-sized adult needs around 6-8 teaspoons of sun cream each time in order to be fully protected. It’s also important to make sure you’re applying sun cream to dry skin so that it can properly protect you, keeping it on for as long as possible . Sun cream should be applied 20-30 minutes before going in the sun, so that it can provide the best protection, and you should reapply every two hours, or after you’ve been in water. These tips can help you to stay safe and reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/