INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Living away from home, especially for the first time – perhaps at college or in service with the military – you’ll soon begin to miss aspects of your previous life.  Realize that the absence of the people and places that made you feel loved, safe, and secure can have an immense impact on your frame of mind.  Longing for home is the expression of a longing for the comfort and safety of what you’re used to, including a routine and a sense of social belonging. Like all emotions, the weight of your feelings associated with homesickness will vary. Don’t be surprised by unexpected moments of sadness and longing for home.  These are entirely normal feelings.  Your mind (and your body) is simply reacting to a significant change in environment. Homesickness can have some serious repercussions on your mind and body. Get professional help if you feel unstable or deeply sad. In particular, be aware of increases in the following:  Anxiety. Sadness and nervousness. Obsessive preoccupation with thoughts about home. Whether you just started college, moved across the country for a new job, or have been shipped off on a military assignment, there will be someone you can talk to about the transition.  Even if no one comes to mind, talk to someone you know who has lived somewhere on their own before. Not acknowledging the way you feel can lead to longer-lasting or more severe homesickness. Ask yourself, “What is it that I’m actually missing?”  Consider the possibility that you may simply be missing your old self, and aren’t used to this new version of you that you’re becoming.  New situations often bring to mind some profound self-reflection, and with that, some meaningful realizations that will significantly contribute to your growth and maturity.

SUMMARY: Know where homesickness comes from. Know that homesickness will come and go. Don’t be surprised by the strength of your emotions. Tell somebody how you feel. Reflect.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If your skin is dry before you apply wax, it will try to soak up the moisture in the wax. This causes the wax to sink into your skin a little and stick to it, making it difficult to pull off. The morning before you plan to wax your skin, apply a moisturizer to make sure your skin is well hydrated.  Be sure to allow the moisturizer to completely soak into your skin before you apply the wax. You want your skin to be hydrated, but not greasy, or else the wax won't effectively pull out your hair.  Avoid using an oil-based moisturizer, since the oil takes longer to soak in and may render the wax ineffective. Your hair is easiest to wax if it is between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch long. Hair that's longer than this will get tangled up in the wax, making it much more difficult to pull it out cleanly. This results in wax sticking to skin where it shouldn't.  Try shaving a week or so before you plan to wax. This gives your hair time to grow in to the right length. Or trim your hair in areas where it's too long to wax, such as your bikini line.

SUMMARY: Make sure your skin is moisturized. Trim your hairs to a manageable length.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: While some supplements may help you sleep, they can also potentially cause problems if you are taking other medications or have certain health conditions. Talk to your doctor before trying to treat your sleep problem with any type of herb or dietary supplement. Give your doctor a full list of any medications, vitamins, or supplements you are currently taking. Discuss your health history and let them know if you have any conditions that may affect which supplements are safe for you to take. For example, some supplements are not recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

SUMMARY: Let your doctor know before trying supplements.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Make sure that your child knows that you are willing to listen if he or she wants to talk. Your child may want to talk right away, in a few days, or not at all. If your child decides that he or she wants to talk, give your full attention.  Allow your child to express his or her feelings while you listen. Offer a shoulder to cry on if your child begins to cry. Reassure your child that these emotions are difficult now, but they will get better over time. After you have finished talking, give your child a hug. Your child may express feelings of guilt or worry about the death of a pet. Some children may feel like they caused the death or like they did not treat the pet well enough while the pet was alive or that the pet could have been saved. Make sure that you reassure your child about any source of guilt that he or she may have. For example, if your child is worried that more could have been done to save the life of the pet, reassure your child that the veterinarian did all that he or she could to save the pet’s life. Your child will most likely have lots of questions about the death of a pet, especially if this is your child’s first experience with death. Do your best to answer these questions, but keep in mind that it is okay to say “I don’t know.”   For example, if your child asks questions the afterlife of animals, you may want to use the teachings of your spiritual background to help inform your answer, or you may choose to leave this more open ended and say, “I'm not sure.” You can explain what some people believe, and if you're undecided about what happens, you can tell this to your child. Then you can share with your child a picture of what you hope the pet is experiencing right now, such as having all the doggie bones he can eat without getting a bellyache, and miles of soft grass and sunshine. Some questions you should answer in a definite, clear way. For example, if your child asks whether or not the pet suffered when he died, then you should be honest, but aim to comfort your child. You might say something like, “Fido was in pain when he went to see the veterinarian, but the veterinarian gave him some medicine to help the pain go away before he died.” It might be tempting to allow your child to miss soccer practice or to skip a friend’s birthday party because he or she is feeling sad, but it is better to keep your child active and involved. If your child starts to pull away from activities and friends, this may be harmful to your child in the long run. Keep in mind that it is okay to cry in front of your child, but avoid letting your emotions get out of control. For example, do not sob in front of your child. This may frighten or overwhelm your child. Make sure that you excuse yourself if you begin to become overwhelmed by your emotions. In some situations, children may have a hard time letting go of a much-loved pet. In these situations, counseling may be the best option. You can talk to your child’s school counselor to arrange a meeting or look into a therapist who works with children. Some things that indicate that your child may be struggling with grief include:  Constant sadness. Ongoing sadness (more than a month). Difficulty in school. Trouble sleeping or other physical symptoms that started after the death of your pet.

SUMMARY:
Listen to your child when he or she wants to talk. Reassure your child. Answer your child’s questions as well as you can. Encourage your child to maintain his or her normal routine. Control your emotions around your child. Watch for signs that your child may be struggling with grief.