Lifestyles can change a man’s life. A healthy and excellent lifestyle leads to a comfortable and better life, while a bad and unhealthy lifestyle only lessens your years. Here are five lifestyle tips for men.
- Get a diet that is more inclusive of natural foods
More often than not, packaged and processed food contains high amounts of calories, unhealthy fats, sugar, synthetic additives, etc, which can be detrimental to a man’s health.
Therefore it is recommended to opt for natural foods like wholegrain products, fresh fruits, and green vegetables; food rich in fiber like raspberries, broccoli, apple, etc. contain antioxidants and healthy vitamins like Vitamin A and C which help cure indigestion and protect from gastronomical diseases.
Fishes like black cod, salmon, increase your energy production, have high protein input, boost brain health, lower the risk of heart disease and strokes.
Fish is a good source of vitamin D, may protect vision at old age. Chicken meat helps to regulate testosterone levels as it is rich in zinc.
It contains Vitamin B6 and niacin vitamin lowering the risks of heart attack and lowers cholesterol. Chicken egg is a good source of several vitamins and minerals.
- Exercise routinely
Exercising regularly helps you avoid the risk of being prey to heart diseases the most.
Moderate-intensity and vigorous aerobic exercises for at least 20 to 45 mins a day does well. Aerobic exercise includes- jogging, swimming, etc.
Cycling too is beneficial. Not only does exercising help lose weight but also gain weight if necessary.
Exercising helps in stimulating the immune system, releases endorphins, which help in reducing stress, anxiety, and may help cure depression.
As a long term effect exercise also helps in keeping away fatigue and adds to life’s longevity by increasing body-resistance.
It also helps in increasing oxygen consumption by the body and improves muscle health.
The supply of blood to the muscles is enhanced, thereby bettering cardiovascular functions.
Sex is all about blood supply. Exercises improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance through sufficient blood and nutrient supply to all the organs, including your penis.
According to a 2021 Mayo Clinic publication titled “7 Benefits of regular physical activity”, exercises also improves your respiratory, renal, and endocrine system.
Exercise improves heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases levels of good HDL Cholesterol in blood, etc.
Therefore exercising is a wholesome way of maintaining both physical and mental health.
- Bid goodbyes to Unhealthy Habits
Any amount of smoking comes at the risk of one’s health. Passive smoking is equally dangerous.
Both of them cause various chronic pulmonary and heart diseases. Apart from that, smoking blackens your lips and makes it dry.
It is capable of causing cancer in the lungs, larynx, pancreas, mouth, kidneys, bladder, etc. as well as myeloid leukemia.
Smoking can also lead to impotence, chronic bronchitis, asthma, hypertension, etc.
Excessive alcohol consumption regularly should also be avoided at all costs as it can lead to liver diseases, high blood pressure mood swings, damages cells in the mouth, throat, and voice box.
As a long term effect, it increases the chances for epilepsy and affects inter-personal and personal relationships.
Usage of illicit synthetic/recreational drugs is not only harmful to men’s physical health but also mental health.
Intake of cocaine causes heart attacks and strokes. Excessive intake of marijuana increases paranoia, hallucinations, etc.
- Pay attention to Skincare
Drinking 4 liters of water a day is highly recommended for glowing and hydrated skin. Moisturizing keeps the skin soft.
Skin is probably the largest organ in your body. Studies show that men skin produces more collagen that that of the women, according to a publication appearing in the Times of India newsletter.
The article urge men to take care of their skin due to high incidence of acne. Hence they should prioritize face washing.
Melanoma, caused by harmful UV rays, a type of skin cancer can be avoided by following these steps-
Avoiding extreme exposure to sun rays by spending time in the shade.
Wearing clothes that will cover more of your skin.
Using sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher
Tanning beds should also be avoided as they are a significant source of harmful UV rays.
Washing face with a proper face wash is essential. Aloe vera on your face and body in the form of oil, soaps, etc repairs skin damage. Aftershave creams should be used.
Razor bumps can be avoided by using single or double-bladed razors and by not stretching your skin taut too much while shaving. Lastly, a good night’s sleep for at least 8 hours can work magic!
- Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Due to the whole stigma around mental health, people generally don’t want to talk about it.
But as the conversation around it is changing for the better, taking care of your mental health is necessary for a healthy lifestyle.
Men often do not get to express their emotions healthily, due to years of problematic social conditioning.
This, in turn, makes them feel suffocated, more prone to aggressive behavior, succumbing to the societal pressures of show-casing their machoism by adhering to norms of toxic masculinity.
Not being able to talk about how and what they feel, by always having to keep their vulnerability on a check, they become more closed, which is detrimental for their mental health.
Which is why men must find healthy let out for their negative emotions, for example, approaching a therapist, regularly exercising, having hobbies, taking time off work, etc
Bonus Tips Submitted By Viewers
- Sleep well
Quality sleep is highly underrated. But it’s a growing medical condition that affects more than a third of men in the US alone.
Yet lack of rest is associated with the propagation of many chronic diseases. Poor heart conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression all have a direct link to sleep deprivation.
Sleep deprivation refers to routinely sleeping less than six hours a night. But the emphasis is on quality.
Quality sleep is resting in a dark room devoid of disturbance, noise, and light. Breathing is also crucial during sleep since poor breathing can disrupt sleep significantly thus failing to attain the minimum sleep-time threshold.
For men, your lifestyle, health, and well-being are dependent on sleep. It’s at night that the worn-out tissues are replaced and sex hormones replenished.
Since these hormones control your mental, physical, and sexual activities, sleep has a huge impact on the quality of your lifestyle.
Thus men should take their sleep more seriously. Good night’s rest improves your brain performance. It also elevates your mood and health.
According to the April 2021 edition of News In Health publication titled “Good Sleep for Good Health,” persistent improper sleeping patterns causes weight gains and blood sugar intolerance.
- Regular medical visits
Men are known for avoiding hospital visits. Even when their medical conditions are worsening, they still resist the urge to seek medical attention.
This behavior is startling. But may have cropped due to the primal instinct of being tough and resilient.
Still, the vice is anathema to a quality lifestyle. Your body is under constant attacks and strains be it mentally, physically, or even via the surrounding environment.
So it needs routine checks and assessments every so often. Just like having scheduled service of your car, even though there is nothing defective to warrant the service.
Regular medical reviews could reveal a chronic condition in its infancy. The earlier a medical condition is detected, the cheaper the treatment.
Besides, prevention is better than cure. This is why doctors recommend annual physical health reviews.
Ensure that you check your blood pressure, and undertake tests such as blood tests, A1C testing for blood sugar, and lipid panel for cholesterol levels.
