8 Ways Men Can Improve their Wellness as they Age

• Author: Muriel Robel
• Posted: 2024-08-18

As time progresses, our bodies experience dramatic changes. Therefore, we need a drastic paradigm shift in our lifestyle, medications, or other treatments to help control weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Unfortunately, this seems an arduous task for many men as they try to balance work, family, or school. Also, men rarely plan to see medical practitioners for checkups and advice on making suitable lifestyle choices.

According to statistics, men die at every life stage compared to their female counterparts. One major cause of men's death at an early age is heart disease, liver disease, and diabetes. Here are eight ways in which men can enhance their wellness as they age:
 

1. Keeping a Healthy Weight

Your body experiences drastic changes as you age. For instance, if you are dormant, your muscles may not work well, adversely affecting your strength. Where physical exercises are not involved, fewer calories remain unutilized.

Consequently, your body may store extra calories if your calorie intake is high compared to how they are used from physical activity. Eventually, you experience considerable weight gain, which may lead to being overweight or obese. Being overweight and obese compromises your wellness as they increase the risk for:
� Type 2 diabetes
� High blood cholesterol
� Kidney disease
� Fatty liver disease
� Certain types of cancer
 

2. Becoming more Physically Active

Physical activity is vital at every age. Although working out is more common among men, every aging man should embark on regular physical activity. Frequent physical exercise enhances your wellness, strength, balance, and versatility. Starting physical activities also helps to prevent obesity, which can promote chronic health problems as you age. It may also help you minimize arthritis, anxiety, and depression symptoms.
 

3. Following a Healthy Eating Plan

The more you age, the lesser calories are required in your body. However, eating nutrient-dense foods is vital. Food rich in nutrients contains more vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your body needs in fewer calories. Men aging should incorporate more fruits and vegetables in their diet, whole grains such as oatmeal, fat-free or low-fat milk, animal, and plant proteins, among others.
 

4. Break Unhealthy Habits

One unhealthy habit common to most men is smoking and taking alcohol, which is packed with calories and surges the chances of cancer, heart disease, and even stroke. The best way to avoid the negative repercussions of alcohol on the body is to stop drinking alcohol.

Another unhealthy habit is excessive coffee intake. While coffee has its health benefits, coffee is a stimulant. It means it surges your heart rate and can even stir anxiety. Therefore, sticking to one cup or less every day is crucial.
 

5. Staying Hydrated All the Time

Instead of drinking coffee or too much tea to quench thirst, drinking approximately two liters of water each day is critical. The amount should increase during hot weather. To determine whether your body is getting adequate water, you can check the color of your urine. It should be light straw yellow.
 

6. Skin Protection

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), men above 50 years have a high potential risk of developing Melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Melanoma is one of the most severe types of cancer. It's critical to take precautions against the sun's detrimental ultraviolet (UV) radiation To minimize the risk of developing cancer. You can achieve this through the following:
� Avoiding too much exposure to the scorching sun
� Covering the body with protective clothing
� Shield exposed skin in sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more
� Whenever you are exposed to direct sunlight or swimming, keep reapplying sunscreen after every two hours.
 

7. Getting Enough sleep

Insomnia is becoming increasingly popular over time. According to a cross-sectional study conducted in the family medicine OPD at St. Philomena's Hospital, Bengaluru, 33 percent of older adults had Chronic insomnia. Although insomnia is more prevalent in females, men too can experience multiple symptoms. Giving your body adequate time to rest promotes the body's and mind's rejuvenation. Several other benefits include a healthy heart, helping to minimize stress, preventing amnesia, reducing inflammation, and may help in weight loss, among others.
 

8. Schedule Doctor Appointments

Health experts recommend regular medical checkups for men, particularly for blood pressure and cholesterol. Scheduling regular checkups allow the doctor to assess your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol level in the blood. These diseases are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The medical practitioner can advise lifestyle changes, medications, or other treatments to assist you in getting your weight under control.

As you age, you have a high chance of feeling lonely, sad, low, and depressed, among others, due to enormous life changes. Enhancing your wellness may help promote your lifestyle habits and ability to deal with the demands of daily life.