These days, almost everyone lives a fast-paced life. That means you may not take as much time as you should to take proper care of yourself. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that’s certainly true when it comes to your health. At Tiege Hanley, we’re committed to helping guys reach their full potential, which can’t be done if you aren’t feeling your best. Here are 10 useful health tips for men that go beyond the norm.
1. Don’t Neglect Your Oral Health
While brushing your teeth is all well and good for taking care of your teeth, you’ve got to do much more than that. Get into the habit of flossing at least once a day, and use mouthwashes that improve your oral health. Regularly visiting your dentist is in your best interest as well.
The reason good oral health is essential is that you can save yourself a lot of money. You could have cavities right now you aren’t aware of. Left unchecked, those cavities could worsen and lead to a root canal. A good way to start is by managing mouth bacteria which, left un-checked, can lead to more serious oral health complications. Imagine how many of these health issues, and their resulting costs, could be avoided with a simple oral hygiene routine and a little help from your dentist.
TRY MEN’S SKIN CARE2. Don’t Just Shower, Exfoliate
Even though body wash is better than bar soap when it’s time to shower, exfoliating is another step up. Body washes aren’t enough to slough away dead skin cells and open your pores. By exfoliating, you get rid of those dead skin cells to truly let your skin breathe. In addition, you smooth out your skin and boost its overall tone, giving it a healthy glow.
Another great thing about scrubbing away skin cells is that your skin care products work better. All that dead skin keeps lotions, creams and the like from penetrating your skin where they can do their best work. If you have dry, itchy skin, then exfoliating can change that.
3. Take Proper Care of Your Face
Just as you exfoliate your body, you can (and should) do the same for your face. Whether you have dry, oily or sensitive skin, you can’t go wrong with exfoliating. As for how many times you should exfoliate, it’s good to do so two to three times a week. That said, your skin type may only be able to handle a once-a-week exfoliation. Pay attention to how your skin reacts to your gentle scrubbing and adjust accordingly.
On a related note, how many times a day should you wash your face? Again, this depends on your skin type. Oily skin can be washed twice a day while dry or sensitive skin should only be washed once a day. No matter how many times a day you wash your face, you always want to apply a moisturizer afterward. Moisturizers give your skin the nutrients it needs to thrive and look great for years to come.
4. Exercise
Another common health tip, exercise is great for more than just liking what you see in a full-length mirror. Exercise is just as essential for your mental health as it is your physical health. Depression and anxiety are common mental health woes in today’s world. Heading to the gym is a great way to release endorphins and help keep depression and anxiety at bay.
We understand that not every guy enjoys going to the gym. Good news: you don’t have to. A lot of workout routines can be done in the comfort of your own home. This is great if you don’t have the money for a gym membership or live far from a good gym. Other than strength training, there’s kickboxing, Pilates, HIIT and more to keep you in great shape.
5. Stretch
Another area of exercise to focus on is flexibility. Before you dismiss yoga and Pilates as something that only women and hipsters do, know they’re both great ways to keep your muscles limber. Stretching can also improve the effectiveness of your other workouts, as a well-stretched muscle has an easier time reaching its complete range of motion. As you age, your flexible body will be less prone to injury. You can better maintain your independence when you’re older by not having to rely on others for tasks that require reaching, bending, stretching and the like.
Take the skin care quiz6. Learn To Cook for Yourself
Eating healthy opens the door to good health, but learning to cook healthy busts that door down. If you do a lot of eating out or calling for delivery, there’s really no telling what’s in the food you’re (hopefully) enjoying. Sure, the dish on the menu may sound healthy, but it could be packed with sugar, additives or calories. When you cook for yourself, you know the exact nutritional content.
Cooking is made easier when you always have ingredients on hand for quick meals. For instance, brown rice is a great base for soups, hearty salads and for sides. The same goes for beans, which are packed with fiber and make you feel full. Focus on recipes and dishes packed with fruits, veggies and other healthy foods.
7. Up Your Sleeping Game
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s rest. While it’s best to aim for eight hours, you may have a hard time achieving that. Try creating a bedtime routine about an hour before you normally go to bed. This routine signals to your brain that it’s time to settle down and head off to slumber land. Your routine should be light and easy, such as drinking a relaxing tea (that’s free of caffeine), reading or listening to some chill music.
If your sleeping patterns are erratic, you could have a sleeping disorder. Talk to your doctor about what’s going on. Being unable to sleep can lead to a number of health disorders.
8. Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health
Mental health has been mentioned a couple times above, but let’s dive a bit deeper. You’ve likely heard of “self-care,” but know that it isn’t the same for everyone. Rather than images of people (let’s face it, who are mostly women) in yoga poses on a hilltop or immersed in a bubble bath with rose petals, your version of self-care could be different. Your version could include:
- Going to the gym
- Taking boxing lessons
- Learning a new skill
- Sampling different teas or wine
9. Check in With Your Financial Health
When was the last time you took a look at your budget? Do you even have a budget? Financial stress can certainly impact your physical health. For that reason, you need to know where all your money is going and whether you’re spending/investing it wisely. Remember to put money into an emergency fund and a retirement account. When unexpected financial emergencies come up, you want to have a strong financial safety net to fall back on. Sit down with a financial planner to make the most of your income and budget.
10. Don’t Neglect Preventative Healthcare
Do you take better care of your car than you do your body? Just as preventative maintenance saves you money on repairs and keeps your car running for as many miles as possible, the same applies to your physical health. Keep up with doctor, dentist and optometrist appointments. That way, you can address health issues while they’re minor and (hopefully) inexpensive.
Hungry for more health tips? Contact us here at Tiege Hanley for more helpful info.
