7 Best Ways Black Men Can Take Charge of Their Overall Health

At least once, you probably have come across some variation of the adage, “ health is wealth.” Although, at first managing your health can seem a little overwhelming being proactive empowers people to live life to the fullest and continue to do the things they love most as they get older. Minor changes in your lifestyle can make a world of difference in both your mental and physical well-being.

Getting Enough Sleep at Night

Sleep is like a human “reset” button, and the older you get, the more important it is to get enough of it each night. A full seven or eight hours of sleep each night comes with a great deal of benefits, like decreasing your risk of developing serious illnesses such as heart disease and even cancer.

A full night’s rest is also key to protecting yourself mentally. Not only will you feel more refreshed, but adequate sleep is linked to decreasing the likelihood of developing depression and is a valuable stress management tool. This helps you concentrate and make better decisions for yourself.

Staying Up to Date with Your Checkups

As you age, it is important to ensure that your bodies still functions correctly. Talking to your doctor to make sure that you are up to date with exams and annual physicals is crucial to making sure that you can continue to do our favorite activities as you get older.

Scheduling screening tests on time to examine high-risk areas of the body is vital to make sure that medical concerns are addressed and taken care of early.

Expanding Your Diet

Nutrition is another way to take your health into your own hands. Introducing a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables onto your plate, including dark green, vibrant yellow, orange, and red produce, can help keep your blood sugar and pressure levels in a healthy range.

Try keeping track of your meals in a food journal. Take note of what healthy foods you enjoy, or which ingredients you would choose to avoid next time.

Keeping Your Social Life Active

Mental health plays a significant role in our overall well-being. Befriending and interacting with others combat feelings of isolation, which have been linked to anxiety, depression, and even increased chances of heart disease.

Participating in group activities fosters a sense of community and joy. Joining clubs, volunteer groups or recreational sports teams is an fun way to connect with people who share similar interests.

Exercising Your Mind

While keeping your body active is a great habit, it is important not to neglect keeping your brain active. “Exercising” your brain helps lessen your risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s later in life.

Activities such as crossword puzzles, learning a new language or playing an instrument are creative ways to engage your brain and keep your cognitive skills sharp.

Establishing A Self-Care Routine

Having a set routine to prioritize yourself can help boost self-esteem and overall confidence, which are vital as we find ourselves surrounded by social media trends and filters. A well-rounded self-care strategy should include steps to take care of both your physical and mental health.

Carving time out of your day to focus on activities such as exercising, journaling, meeting with friends, meditation, and resting are all pillars of self-care that will help bring you peace of mind. Every routine is unique, but it is important to be consistent for the best results.

Keeping A Personal Health Record

No one knows your body better than you, and a personal health record is a powerful tool to advocate for yourself at the doctor’s office. Creating your own record encourages informed decision-making regarding your well-being.

The key to making an effective personal health record is keeping it up to date with all the most current information on your health. The Mayo Clinic suggests that you record details such as medications, emergency contacts, family health history, and your latest examination dates.