Father’s Day provide an opportunity to honor the important men in our lives. One way we can do this is by supporting their efforts to make their health a priority.
Celebrate National Men’s Health Week, June 13-19, by encouraging father, grandfathers, or other male role models to take a step each day to improve their health. Share these seven suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control and PRvention:
- Sleep – Getting less than seven to nine hours of sleep a night can contribute to a number of chronic diseases.
- Quit Smoking – Doing so improves your health immediately and lowers your risk for cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.
- Move – Adults need 2-1/2 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week in addition to muscle-strengthening exercises twice a week that target all major muscle groups.
- Healthy Eating – For nutritious meals that stay within calorie limits, choose a variety of nutrient-dense foods – including fruits, vegetables, and fish – in recommended serving sizes.
- Limit Stress – Avoid using drugs and alcohol to combat stress. instead, stay active and socially connected.
- Get Checkups – Doctor visits help identify diseases that may not show clear symptoms. Chest pain, shortness of breath or excessive thirst should be checked out right away.
- Track Numbers – Keep track of results for blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, body mass index and other tests. If your numbers are out of the acceptable range, your health care provider can suggest ways to get them back to normal.
As a member of the Y, you are part of a diverse organization of men, women, and children joined together by a shared commitment to strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.