Posted June 17, 2009
While there are some risk factors that you can’t control, such as family history and age, there are many that you can. Take control of your health and act now. Promoting healthy living is one of the best things a father can do for his children.
Eat healthy foods. The best diet features fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, olive oil, and fish. A healthful diet is also low in saturated fat from meat and whole dairy products, trans fatty acids from fried and snack foods, salty foods, refined grains, and concentrated sweets.
Consume only moderate amounts of alcohol and caffeine, and don’t smoke. With less consumption of these vices, the risk of major illnesses decreases, you will be less at risk from violence and accidents, and you will feel more healthy.
Have routine checkups and screenings. Seeing your healthcare provider for routine checkups will help detect medical conditions early. Early detection and treatment can prevent more serious problems in the future.
Get regular exercise for 30 minutes, three to five days per week. Staying active throughout your life is the single most powerful way to remain healthy and live long enough to enjoy your family and all the things you’ve worked for.
Protect your skin with sunscreen any time you are outside. Most skin cancer is caused by repeated exposure to the sun. Over a period of time, the sun’s UV rays weaken and damage the skin, which can result in skin cancer. Researchers believe that development of skin cancer may be linked to a combination of genetic susceptibility and UV exposure.
Guard yourself against hearing loss. Protecting your hearing is one of the most crucial things you can do for your overall health and well-being. There are of course medical circumstances that can interfere or hurt the inner ear, but for the most part hearing loss is caused by our own disregard for out hearing.
A healthy lifestyle made up of eating healthy foods, regular exercise, quitting smoking, drinking in moderation and keeping a healthy weight will all help in reducing your risk of disease and death. Have regular check ups with your GP to make sure that you are on track.
Remember, you are not just preventing death, but also the chance of having to live with an ongoing illness that might stop you from doing the things you like to do. Take safety precautions whenever you can: wear a seatbelt, practice safe sex, and wear protective gear when playing sports. At the same time you are also boosting your chances of staying in good health.
Date June 12, 2009
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