Steps to Take Care of Yourself Year Round
As summer nears its end, it is still very important for men to continue to focus on their health. While it is important to be conscious of your health during national awareness months, your health is something that you should be keeping a close eye on year round.
Men are notorious for putting off going to the doctor, even when there is a serious health concern. It is time to put an end to that stereotype with men taking care of themselves and their health despite what month it is.
There are several small steps you can take to ensure you are the best, most healthy version of yourself, no matter your age.
Whether it is going to the doctor on a regular basis or taking care of your appearance, start taking these steps now to begin a routine that will make you healthier and happier. Here are seven steps men can take to ensure they are living a healthier lifestyle.
It is time to break the stereotype and start seeing a doctor regularly. Stop the many excuses that you give, and just do it. Seeing a doctor on a regular basis allows many illnesses to be caught early on.
Heart disease for example is the leading cause of death in the United States. It kills more men than women every year. Heart disease includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke, and many other ailments, all of which can be caught early on with a regular doctor’s appointment.
2. Keep Track of When You Aren’t Feeling Right
Granted, you’re not going to be seeing a doctor every time you don’t feel right. It’s important to recognize when you need to see a doctor versus when you’re just under the weather.
Either way, it’s important to keep track of how you are feeling so when you do need to see a doctor, you have a clear record of any symptoms.
Writing any issues or weird feelings when they occur, like shortness of breath or severe headaches, in a notebook is a great way to keep a record. Or, if you think you would forget to write it out with pen and paper, create a note on your phone specifically to keep track of any medical issues.
3. Start an Exercise Routine
You hear this all of the time but it tends to go in one ear and out the other. But it is something you should pay attention to because some form of exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle.
Whether you simply park a little farther away to get some extra walking in, or you join a gym and carve out a couple of hours a day to dedicate to your workout, you need to do something. Being active gets your blood flowing and heart pumping, making it healthier and lowering your risk for many illnesses, including heart disease.
4. Incorporate More Healthy Food
Along with exercise, this is the other thing you are always told but tend to tune out. Again, you should start paying attention.
Adding more healthy foods into your diet has some great health benefits and can make you feel better overall. Simply switching out fried chicken for grilled chicken more often or eating fruit when you’re craving something sweet can make a difference.
5. Take Care of Your Appearance
Believe it or not, your appearance can have to do with your health. Both your skin and hair can show signs of something being wrong with your health, which is why it is extremely important to take care of both.
Creating a daily skincare regimen is essential to your skin’s overall health and look. The most important thing to do is use sunscreen every day no matter the weather as UV rays can be extremely damaging to your skin.
If you notice your hair thinning or losing more than normal, do not panic. Hair loss is extremely common in men and it is treatable. It’s important to know the signs of hair loss and then take appropriate action. One common cause is high stress, so knowing what your cause is and working on it can be a huge help. Luckily, there are options like finasteride available to help men fight thinning hair.
6. Get enough sleep
Sleep is essential to living a healthy life. According to the CDC, 50-70 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep disorder. If you want make sure you are able to get enough sleep, it is important to avoid caffeine later in the day. Although exercise is important, it is best to avoid exercising if you plan to go to bed in the next two hours. It is difficult for the body to get a good night’s rest when you’ve just completed a recent workout. Lastly, having a comfortable sleep environment will assist in getting the best sleep possible! It is suggested to keep your room temperature between 65-75 degrees, and be sure it is quiet and dark!
7. Quit smoking!
By now everyone should know how unhealthy smoking is. The negative effects of smoking cigarettes can not be understated! Smoking can decrease blood flow which increases the risk of a stroke or heart attack. It can also lead to lung cancer and an increased risk of blood cancer. Smoking can also take its toll on the exterior of the body. Many people who smoke will have a yellowing of the teeth, and will start to see wrinkled skin much earlier than they would have if they had avoided smoking. There are several ways an individual can get help to stop smoking tobacco. It is important to speak with your doctor to see which option would be best for you.
No matter the date, it is extremely important to take care of yourself. As men we seem to struggle with taking that time to be as healthy as possible. Taking some simple steps can work wonders and get you on a path to being the healthiest version of yourself possible.
Capri is a health advocate who enjoys running and kickboxing. In her spare time she loves to read, and cook!
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