Healthy Father’s Day Activities Your Dad Will Appreciate

June is Men’s Health Month, and this year we encourage you to celebrate Father’s Day by looking after dad’s health. Men in the United States have a shorter life expectancy than women, so men’s health awareness is even more important than ever before. Here are some ideas for ways to show dad your appreciation, while encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Encourage a tune-up

Just like changing the oil in his car, there are certain health tune-ups that all men should take. Believe it or not, men visit their health care providers less frequently than women. This Father’s Day, encourage your Father to get routine cholesterol, diabetes, and blood pressure screens. These can help detect diseases common in men, and lead to prevention or early intervention. For a list of regular screenings for men, click here.

Test your chef skills

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States, killing 321,000 men in 2013—that’s 1 in every 4 male deaths. Spend some quality time with dad and enjoy a meal together by cooking a heart-healthy meal for him this weekend. Here are some recipe ideas to get started.

Get some fresh air

As a society that spends most time indoors in front of a computer screen, the health benefits of fresh air include a boosted immune system, more energy and decreased stress. Looking for something fun to do outdoors? Here are some ideas:

• Go on a hike – This website can help you find some trails near where you live.
• Golfing with dad – There is nothing more quintessentially “Father’s Day” than golfing!
• Fishing – Check out your local lake, stream, or tackle the ocean with a daily charter.
• Attend a baseball game – It’s America’s pastime, and many ballparks will have Father’s Day deals. Check your local team’s website to see if they are offering any discounted tickets. PLAY BALL!

Gifts that will make an impact

Looking for a gift that encourages a healthy lifestyle for Dad? Here are some of the most popular:

• Reusable water bottle
• A pull-up and dip bar, like this one.
• A good pillow
• Fitness trackers such as Fitbit or Apple Watch
• Bluetooth headphones
• Custom gifts: You don’t have to break the bank to show Dad you care. Here are some free gift ideas for Dad, courtesy of Good Housekeeping.

What are some of the other ways you will be celebrating Father’s Day? Leave us a comment below and let us know. Celebrate Men’s Health Week (June 12-18, 2017) by raising the awareness of preventable health problems and encouraging early detection for diseases among men and boys.