For many people, Father's Day is a day of barbecues, brunches, and celebrating the wonderful men in their life. For some, it might mean watching a sports game or spending some time by the pool with a father, uncle, brother, or husband.
With summer right around the corner, Father's Day is a great holiday to spend some time with the ones you love while enjoying a warm June Sunday.
But in between brunch and spending time with your family, you may also want to find some time to talk to him about his health.
Here are 5 different "gifts" you can give the important men in your life this Father's Day to help them focus on and prioritize their health:
1. Remind Him About Important Screenings as He Ages
As your father gets older, there are many important health screenings that can help him maintain his health. He may think that he doesn’t need to go to the doctor unless something is wrong — but in fact, going to the doctor when everything seems totally normal can be the most important time to go.
Routine health screenings can help your loved one and their provider detect health concerns early.
While it may seem like there are more screenings than you can remember — let alone remind someone else to get — keep in mind that you're not alone.
Another key member in your father's health journey is his physician. This means that you can help ensure the men in your life are getting the right screenings just by encouraging them to go to their annual wellness exam.
2. Put On Your Glove and Play a Game of Catch
As people get older, they may not make time for the things that they used to love doing. Maybe your father was a cycler. Maybe your uncle loved to run. Or maybe your brother was an avid surfer when he was younger.
Reigniting these passions can have both physical and mental benefits, like reducing stress, improving sleep and reducing risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
This Father's Day, get moving with your loved ones by:
- Getting the family together for a game. Baseball, football, basketball — it doesn't matter what the sport is, get everyone involved in a pick-up game at your backyard BBQ.
- Going for a hike. Good weather can turn a lazy Sunday into a walk in the woods. If you’re looking for a fun day activity, you can take your dad on a hike — any length is great!
- Playing a round of golf. Hit the putting green for a little friendly competition and physical activity as well.
3. Remind Him of His Favorite Hobbies
In addition to physical activities, it's never a bad time for the men in your life to rediscover a hobby — or find a new one.
If your father or husband often puts everyone before himself, he may need the push to find ways to prioritize his own interests and health. You can remind the men in your life that it's important for them to take time for themselves as well.
There are many ways you can help someone get back into a hobby, for example, you can:
- Buy them something small that can help them get inspired — like a new paintbrush if they're an artist, or a cool bobber if they love to fish.
- Find a local group that meets up to do an activity that he may like, such as a bowling league or chess club.
- Offer to learn their skill or hobby, and ask him to teach it to you. He may be more likely to make time and find his own joy in it along the way.
4. Help Him Build Healthier Habits
Sometimes, life gets in the way, and people settle into their routines and habits. Building healthy habits is a great way to prioritize your health every day — and it's even easier when you have a buddy to do it with.
Maybe your husband wants to exercise a few times a week. Or maybe your dad has been trying for 20 years to quit smoking. Or maybe your grandpa wants to cook a healthy meal for the family. Living a healthier lifestyle doesn't look the same for everyone, and there are so many different ways to go about it.
If the men in your life want to work on making healthier choices, you can give them the gift of support and motivation this Father’s Day. You can ask them if they would like an accountability buddy, or if you can both try to build a habit together. Often the best gift we can give isn’t a tangible item, but our time and support.
5. Talk to the Men in Your Life About Their Health
One of the biggest health gifts you can give your father — or the men in your life — is just to start a conversation about their health. By talking about their health, they might feel more open to asking questions, getting support or even just going to the doctor.
The gift of health is one that keeps on giving. With a simple check-in or "How are you feeling?", you can be an integral part of your father's health journey.
Many men may be hesitant to make their annual wellness visit. Help your loved one schedule a visit today with a Chester County Hospital Primary Care Provider.