The second wave of Covid-19 has been difficult for a lot of people. To say the least, it has made most of us realize the value of having a healthy body and appreciating all that it does for us. As an NGO working for CHD in the healthcare sector, we know the role fathers play in the lives of their children. From ensuring that their child gets the best medical treatment to following up with diet and nutrition appointments, fathers do so much!
This Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate them and remind them that their health is our priority too!
Since most of us including our fathers, have been spending more time at home, it has led to a decrease in physical activity which can have an adverse effect on their health. It is our role to make sure our dads and grandads live healthy lives by supporting and motivating them to make better choices about their own health.
So, on this Father's Day, here are some health tips for dads to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
1. Get regular checkups & screening
Encouraging dads to get routine checkups to observe blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels is important to help detect such problems before they become serious and therefore minimize the risk of diseases. It is important for them to get annual checkups after they turn 30 as the susceptibility of many diseases rises with age.
Along with this, regular cancer screenings can be done to help find certain cancers early before the body shows symptoms, when they are most likely to be treated successfully. Screenings for colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer are generally recommended for men to start at the age of 50. Keeping in mind the family history and overall healthy history is important when discussing with the doctor.
2. Eat a balanced meal
A balanced meal plays an important role in promoting physical and mental well-being. Consumption of processed foods, full-fat dairy products and beverages high in added sugars increases the risk of certain chronic disorders. Instead, opting for a higher percentage of whole-grain foods, vegetables, fruits and protein can help to maintain good health and prevent the risk of such diseases. Also, remember to drink enough water throughout the day to feel hydrated and boosts energy.
3. Daily dose of exercise
Being physically active throughout the week by doing cardiovascular exercises keeps your heart healthy. Exercising doesn’t just include going to the gym but also yoga, walking, swimming, and playing sports such as badminton, etc. These days there are also many informative exercise videos that can be followed from the comfort of your home. It helps to refresh the mind and keeps the body in shape.
4. Take care of mental health
Supporting our fathers to keep a check on their mental health is also necessary, especially during these difficult times. Fathers generally tend to keep their emotions bottled up and therefore end up ignoring their health and take a lot of stress. Increased stress can also lead to complications in their health and affect their sleep. That is why all the family members should encourage them to talk about their problems or anything that is stressing them. Seeking professional help is also an option if required.
5. Avoid alcohol and substance use
Smoking and alcohol are often used by fathers as stressbusters, but they have an extremely detrimental effect on their health when taken in excess, as proven by innumerable studies. Helping them to sign up for a tennis class or any other interest might be a much better way to tackle it instead.
At Genesis Foundation, which is an NGO working for CHD, we celebrate the spirit of fatherhood by ensuring that fathers in need of support get all the assistance possible for their children diagnosed with heart defects. Here's wishing all the fathers a Happy Father's Day!
-Contributed by Komal Agrawal
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