If you are a father, I believe you have sacrificed much to make sure your family is well provided and protected. However, in order to enjoy many great and healthy years with our loved ones, it is imperative that we take great care of our health.
Like many things in life, good health always begins with a good decision, i.e. determine to choose health and live well. Do you know heart disease, cancer, chronic lung conditions, stroke and diabetes are among the biggest men’s health threats? As a father, we can keep these diseases at bay by choosing to lead a healthy lifestyle. What we as a father can all do is to start by saying ‘NO’ to smoking, eat a balanced diet that is packed with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and other sources of high fibre foods. At the same time, instead of lavishing on fatty savoury foods, opt for lean meat and fish.
Let me warn you, leading a sedentary lifestyle is bad for health, and you may be surprised to know it is also really bad for your sperm quality too! According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, young men who spent over 20 hours watching TV a week were found to have about half the sperm count of those who seldom watched TV. So, guys, stop being a couch potato. Start small and go brisk walking around your neighbourhood. Eventually, it is good to make plans to include sports and games that you really enjoy such as playing badminton, tennis, swimming and other body exercises. It is advisable to keep tab on our body weight, and make it our goal to lose that belly fat.
Although it is inevitable as our profession may give us constant work pressure and cause us to be on the edge, hence, we need to learn how to cope with stress and deal with it in healthy ways. One of the simplest things to do is to get enough shut eyes so that our body is rested while our mind is alert. To be energetic at work, there are health supplements that can help us manage our stress levels and boost our immune system too.
Let us agree that “information is power”. Getting regular health screening is vital to keep us informed of what’s happening inside our body. Detecting health risks early is vital. We must take action before they develop into serious problems. Some important screenings for men include blood pressure measurement, cholesterol test, diabetes screening, prostate check, colorectal cancer screening and other cancer screenings.
If you have not visited your doctor for some time already, it is good to do so NOW! Make an appointment with him/her once a year for a thorough body check-up or at least step into your nearest pharmacy outlet for a health consultation with the pharmacists.
Once again, wish us all to be healthy dads!
References:
Medical News Today. Available at www.medicalnewstoday.com.
Men’s Health Network. Available at www.menshealthnetwork.org
Best,
Tan Kok Hui
Nutrition Made Simple, Life Made Rich
