The sad fact of aging is that health becomes more and more a concern. Yes, there are a lot of good aspects as well — we are wiser, more experienced, less people are telling us what to do—but we also need to pay closer attention to our own wellness. As we continue our month-long look at men’s health, this seems like a good time to highlight some of the biggest health concerns facing boomer men. These might seem like obvious issues but they remain some of the biggest factors in the more serious conditions that affect men of this age. Consider these health concerns and keep them in mind as you work to live a healthier lifestyle.
Maintaining healthy weight.
With older age comes a slower metabolism which can become the bane of your existence. You can remember the days when you could eat a whole pizza by yourself and not gain a pound, and now you spend a whole week at the gym trying to work off a single slice. But this is not just a question of keeping up your youthful appearances. An expanded waistline can result in a number of other health problems, including high blood pressure. Obesity is becoming a more serious problem among boomers so ask your doctor about ways in which you can lose weight in a healthy way, or maintain that healthy weight.
Healthy diet.
Of course, the first thing your doctor will probably tell you when you ask him that question is “eat healthy”. A healthy diet can make all the difference when it comes to your lifestyle. Eating the right foods not only helps keep the weight off but also gives you more energy, helps fight off illness and keeps the rest of your body moving like a well-oiled machine. Avoid the greasy, high fat foods that are calling to you from the fast food restaurants and look for foods with Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants and other nutritious benefits.
Regular exercise.
When it comes to staying healthy, a good partner to a smart diet is physical activity. Many boomers, despite their best efforts, are lacking when it comes to regular exercise. With work and other life commitments taking most of their time, opportunities for physical activity don’t present themselves as often and therefore they have to find that motivation to get moving themselves. But the benefits from a daily workout are very much worth the effort. Even a walk before work every morning helps to keep the body healthy and prevent such things as joint problems that plague men of a certain age.
Solid sleep schedule.
If there’s one thing boomers seem to lose interest in as they age, it’s sleep. It’s true that as we get older our bodies require less sleep, but boomers seem to be taking this concept and running wild with it. It’s said that on average, boomers get only 6 hours of sleep a night, whereas doctors recommend 7-8 hours for a healthy lifestyle. These couple more hours of sleep help your body to recover more efficiently, fight off illness and keep your mind in tip-top shape. Who knew hitting the snooze button was so good for you?
Cutting out bad habits.
Just because boomers are a little older doesn’t mean they have grown up completely. There are still plenty of us that hold on to those habits that we know are bad for our health. However, while biting your finger nails is one thing, there are some habits that need to come to an end for the sake of your health. Smoking is the big one, of course. The health risks are widely known and to keep it up at this stage in life is just reckless. While drinking doesn’t have as severe of consequences, studies show that boomers in particular are over indulging with their drinking habits. Cutting back on how much you drink can help prevent a number of health risks.
Regular doctor visits.
Most importantly, when it comes to your health, regular trips to the doctor are needed. This seems to be a struggle for boomer men as we explored in a recent piece, but the importance of routine doctor visits can not be overstated. At boomer men’s age, serious health concerns are a much higher risk than in their younger years, and for many of these concerns, being able to catch it early can significantly decrease the severity of it. Ask your doctor about examinations you should have. Make standing appointment and stick to them. These doctor visits can be uncomfortable, but if it means saving your life, is it really too much to ask?
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