Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years regarding how much you water you should consume. Is it eight, 8-ounce glasses a day? This eight, 8-ounce recommendation is being looked at again by many experts. Some experts say this recommendation was created simply because it was easy for people to remember. Healia would like to help you better understand these recommendations and let you in on one important piece of news – fluids other than water count!

A good rule of thumb for moderately active women in temperate climates is that they need a total fluid equivalent of about nine 8-ounce glasses of fluids a day; moderately active men need thirteen 8-ounce glasses. Ideally, you want half of your fluids to be from water consumption. Many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and tomatoes, are 90 percent to 100 percent water by weight. Beverages such as milk and juice also are composed mostly of water. Beer, wine, and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, or soda can contribute, but these should not be a major portion of daily total fluid intake.

The sun is shining in Seattle today. Yes, finally. And as we take our walks and bask on our balconies during lunch break, we must remember to be cautious of potential sun hazards, such as UV radiation; as even a brief 15 minutes of sunshine can result in unwanted sunburn for some people.

The following are some tips from the Skin Cancer Foundation about sun protection. If you have questions about sun protection or skin cancer, make sure to Ask an Expert on Healia Communities.

• Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher whenever you spend time outdoors.
• Cover up. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Seek the shade.
• Never seek a tan.
• Protect your children and teach them sun safety at an early age.

sun protection skin cancer UV radiation

National Women’s Health Week kicks off on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11^th and will take place through May 17^th. The National Women's Check-Up Day is scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2008.

Today, Healia kicks off the Healia Points Program to recognize and reward Healia Communities members who are active contributors and who are helpful to other Community members. The goal of the Healia Points Program is to encourage Healia Communities members to help each other make the best health decisions.

Members receive Healia Points when they are active and contribute positively to the community. Additional points are awarded if a member's comments/answers are rated highly among other members. Each week, members who have earned the highest number of Healia Points for the previous week are recognized on the site as Top Contributors.

Points are awarded for certain activities including filling out your profile, posting a journal, and asking and answering questions. The number of points varies by the activity. The cumulative number of Healia Points is shown in the upper right corner when logged in and is also shown in conjunction with the member profile.

The Healia Points Program is launching with a special offer from Meredith Corporation, Healia’s parent company. Beginning May 11, 2008, the week’s five “Top Contributors” who have earned the most points during the previous week will receive a free annual subscription of their choice of either Ladies Home Journal, MORE, or Fitness Magazine. Winners may also give their free subscription to someone else as a gift.