The average lifespan of a man is roughly 76 years, and for women, it is 81 years. It’s always a mystery why men are short-lived than women. To say that it’s nature’s plan won’t be true. Many factors that have a significant impact on men’s life contribute to it.
One reason for the longevity gap is that women are more likely than men to seek medical attention when something goes wrong with their health. Another explanation is that males engage in high-risk activities such as high-impact sports, rash driving, laboring, and so on. Also, they have a more challenging time breaking old habits, such as excessive drinking and smoking, than women.
However, doctors agree that changing lifestyle habits can help men increase their odds of living healthier, longer lives. Here are some tips that can help you get started if you struggle with an unhealthy or passive lifestyle.
Maintaining Cleanliness
As you grow older, something as simple as a cough or flu can cause more significant complications. You might face problems such as sinus, pneumonia, etc. Things get even worse when you are suffering from chronic conditions like asthma or a respiratory illness. It is therefore imperative for you to make sure that you are breathing clean air. An untidy environment can invite more bacteria and germs. You can easily catch them since your skin becomes thinner and more sensitive.
Begin with your backyard or outside space, which is a breeding ground for bacteria and germs due to overgrown bushes, trees, and garbage, to name a few. You can contact a home and lawn pest control service for extra care and protection. The frequent assistance of a professional is likely to keep your garden clean and safe from bugs, mosquitoes, flies, and other insects. Since clean air supply is now possible, your chances of getting sick reduce.
Exercising Regularly
When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, you simply can’t do without exercise. Whether you are young or old, incorporating any physical activity into your routine is a must. It keeps your heart healthy, improves blood circulation, strengthens immunity, releases happy hormones, prevents depression, and the list of benefits continues. However, since you are an old fellow now, don’t indulge in anything without a professional’s guidance.
You may ask your healthcare provider to help you with the fitness program that serves your health better. Along with physical activities such as gymming, running, jogging, playing some sports or any other thing indulge yourself in mental exercise. Because not just physical but mental health is vital to living a longer life. You can sign up for libraries, solve jigsaw puzzles, solve Rubik cubes, play chess, or anything that interests you. Doing these activities, especially with others, will keep your brain healthy and active.
Necessary Medication
Some supplements aid in the maintenance of a healthy immune system. The supplements include calcium and multivitamins tablets to boost your immunity. However, You should always make a habit of checking with your doctor before taking any supplements to prevent any side effects. There are various injection courses available as well, about which you should consult your healthcare provider.
Healthy Eating
You should stop depending on processed and sugary food that can trigger inflammation in the body. Instead, start eating foods rich in fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are a good source of antioxidants that will protect you and your cells from any damage and keep you healthy. Moreover, meats and fish can be good sources of protein and contain vitamins and minerals. Some oily fishes can also prevent heart diseases such as salmon, mackerel, etc. So, start eating healthy and mindfully before it’s too late.
Quitting Unhealthy Habits
If you have any unhealthy habits, such as smoking or drinking alcohol, you shorten your life with your own hands. Unhealthy habits increase the risk of eye diseases, which can further lead to vision loss. Smokers are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes at a certain age than non-smokers are. The worst case is that it makes it challenging to balance blood sugar levels and increases Alzheimer’s. If quitting seems complicated, then you can seek help from doctors.
Start taking medications, or use nicotine (nasal spray or inhaler) products to reduce withdrawal symptoms to quit smoking. On the other hand, drinking can be moderated with the advice of the health care provider. If you have any health problems or are on medications, you shouldn’t drink at all. You can sign yourself in addiction-related programs that are designed for seniors to break them.
Schedule checkups
Scheduling regular checkups can keep you informed about your health conditions and take timely measures. You should get your bone health evaluated periodically, blood pressure levels, and cholesterol levels every 4–6 months. Diabetes can be genetic, so if any of your family members have diabetes, get yourself tested for diabetes every two years.
The dental checkup should not be avoided if you wear dentures or got cavities. Make sure you keep your mouth and teeth clean. You can schedule many more checkups depending on your health condition.
A healthy lifestyle is a key to a long, happy life. Make sure you have healthy habits that keep your immune system strong and make you less susceptible to illness.
