3 min read
All eyes are on Dad with Father’s Day just around the corner. Besides giving out obligatory ties and cologne gifts, you can do much more for your father to make this year extra-special.
Read on for our guide to help the dad in your life be the healthiest man this Father’s Day and beyond with these 6 essential health tips or wellness practices. Happy Healthy Father’s Day!
As the saying “prevention is better than cure” goes, regular health check-ups or screenings are essential for treatment of potentially fatal conditions related to cardiovascular health, high blood pressure and age-appropriate cancers. So, don’t let your dad get away with excuses for putting off a doctor’s visit!
There are a variety of hospitals and clinics in Hong Kong offering medical screening packages. Schedule and sit in the medical test with your dad so that you can consult the doctor together for any anomalies or questionable results.
It doesn’t matter if your dad is a couch potato, take him out on a nature getaway to escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Hong Kong’s fantastic natural landscape has so much to offer! Going for a family hike, beachgoing, camping, watersports… To name but a few are some ideas of healthy activities to fill the weekend with.
Study shows that being in nature can boost mood, relieve stress, lower blood pressure, lessen inflammation and improve immune system health. Spending quality time there with loved ones would be a huge stress-buster for you dad — make sure you do so this Father’s Day.
Juggling work and family responsibilities, it’s easy for dad to withdraw from exercise, along with its benefits, to balance the time budget. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults should get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (e.g. walking, jogging or cycling) or 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic exercise (e.g. running) every week, while strength training should be done at least twice a week.
Do your dad a favor and set up a structured workout routine. There are thousands of workout videos for every age, gender, level, goal and interest to choose from. On this big day hold each other accountable and exercise in the privacy of your own home. As the essence lies in consistency, you’ll be surprised by your dad’s and your growth in strength and endurance overtime.
Does your dad sleep enough? There's a high chance he doesn’t. Though it is best to get a full night’s sleep, segmented sleep is seen as a way to go in today’s fast-paced society, where you divide the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep around the clock to make up for the amount of sleep lost each night. There is scientific proof that power naps are linked to a myriad of health benefits. Ultimately, it is the quality of sleep that counts.
Celebrate this Father’s Day in a crazy way: throw a family nap party. No more sleep deprivation!
The most thoughtful thing you can do for your dad is to take care of his diet. Serving healthy and satisfying meals does not necessarily mean using tricky ingredients and fancy techniques on the part of the cook. Simply sparing the time and effort to cook will make your mum proud and touch your dad’s heart.
Clearly, home-cooked food stands out as a better alternative to eating out and packaged convenience foods, with lower levels of calories, fat, sodium, preservatives and other harmful additives. Instill good eating habits starting from this Father’s day to control chronic conditions and embark on a healthy diet.
Meditation is many’s go-to way to relieve stress. Try this with your dad for 2 minutes: Close your eyes, tune into what each of your senses is experiencing, look inward and feel the moment you are in.
If you want more guidance on how to begin your meditation journey, check our beginner’s guide to meditation and find the right type of meditation for you.
Whether your dad is pushing 100 or young in body and mind, there is no better time than now to start leading a healthier lifestyle. Seize the day to tell him how much you care for him and his well-being. Last but not least, cheers to many more Father’s Day celebrations!
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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