Getting older is going to come with many unwelcome surprises. New aches and pains in places you never knew were possible, a sudden appreciation for 5:00 a.m., and the lack of a desire to shave your now pirate-esque beard. Being a father, though, means being indestructible in the eyes of your children, no matter how old they may be. It is the warmest and most loving burden you can place on your shoulders, and no understanding kid would expect that you do so, but seeing Dad as a strong person certainly helpful. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t be vulnerable in front of your family. Quite the opposite, really. But taking care of what ails you is one of the best ways to stay young at heart. Do it for yourself and your family. So, do what exactly?
Dental Hygiene
While it’s a bit of a given, both sports drinks and energy drinks can cause a lot of enamel loss (1.5% and 3.1%, respectively). Brushing your teeth, laying off the cigars and red wine, and visiting the dentist regularly are all very important to continuing dental health. One thing you don’t want to deal with no matter how old you are is a toothache.Understand Your Physical Limitations
If you’ve ever caught yourself almost falling down, it might be time to consider a mobility device. Out of everyone over the age of 65, 10% walk with a cane. Hip fractures are an all too common result of fall accidents in the elderly population, and they can cause a marked decrease in life expectancy. There’s no shame in walking with a cane. Taking care of yourself means knowing your capabilities and not exceeding them recklessly.Be Presentable
Sometimes aging can take a toll on your confidence in a serious way. This is, of course, completely unfair. If you are feeling a bit down on your personal appearance, then spruce yourself up a bit. Fathering children? You’ve definitely earned a pa day or two. The male grooming market has grown quite a lot, and as of 2017 was worth $20.5 billion. Getting a facial and a nice deep clean can do wonders for your confidence and for your overall level of relaxation.Keep Up Your Hobbies
Retirement is in your cross-hairs and you are ready to walk out of work any day now. This is perhaps the most understandable thing in the world, but hold that thought. There are an increasingly tall stack of studies that claim early retirement tends to mean an earlier death. Little has been done to refute these studies, but when you dig deeper, work itself might not be the cause. Activity in general, on the other hand, very well could be. In fact, an NIH study reveals that leisure-time physical activity can extend your life expectancy by up to four and a half years. So when do decide to retire, break out the golf clubs and hit the green.Aging is an odd and often uncomfortable process, but you will be rewarded with both wisdom and the privilege of getting to see your children grow into adults, perhaps with families of their own. So long as you take care of yourself by staying on top of your daily routine and not letting yourself succumb to boredom, you will continue to live a long and happy life.
Republished from NaturalPapa.com
