Top Grooming Tips for Men
1. Move more
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it’s a stress buster. Think ‘move’ in small increments of time. It doesn’t have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that’s great when you’re up to it. Meanwhile, move more.
Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha . Then do it.
2. Cut fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine. Then be one.
3. Quit smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we have seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or “tough guy” stance of Hollywood smokers.
Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette . The next one.
4. Reduce stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e. soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to 10 before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible.
Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds. then float on them.
5. Protect yourself from pollution
If you can’t live in a smog free environment, at least avoid smoke filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is bad. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It’s a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent.
Thought for the day: “Smoke gets in your eyes” . And your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants . Hum the tune daily.
6. Wear your seat belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.
7. Floss your teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it’s because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don’t?.
Thought for the day: Floss and be your body’s boss.
8. Avoid excessive drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease; more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.
9. Keep a positive mental outlook
There’s a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can’t be unhappy when you’re smiling or singing.
10. Choose your parents well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn’t mean you cannot counter act the genetic pool handed you.
Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.
11. Get rid of the gray hair.
The fastest way to take years off of your look is to get rid of gray hair. It's less noticeable and more natural to begin coloring your hair when you first begin to go gray. An easy-to-use product formulated , can be used at home to cover gray hair with natural looking results.
12. Go short if you’re balding.
Balding is another common problem among men. Opting for a comb-over just dates your look. Get comfortable with your changing look and opt for a modern short haircut. When men begin to lose the hair on their heads, they may begin to notice unwanted hair in other places, like their nose, ears or back. Be sure to trim or wax unwanted hair for a clean, contemporary look.
13. Protect and pamper your skin.
The best way to prevent wrinkles and skin cancer is to protect your skin from sun damage by using a daily moisturizer with sunscreen. A good daily skin care routine includes cleansing, followed by a gentle facial exfoliant scrub, which also enhances shaving ease and comfort. Follow with a moisturizer containing sunscreen for day and at night a moisturizer to encourage skin regeneration.
14. Pay attention to hands and feet.
Don’t forget to include your hands and feet in your grooming routine. Well-manicured nails and toes contribute to good hygiene and grooming habits. Make time to clip and file your nails at home.
Foot odor is a common problem among many men, and is relatively easy to treat. Scrub your feet daily and dry them completely. Insert a pair of Odor-Eaters In soles into your shoes, which will absorb wetness and odor.
Quick grooming tips
a. If you don’t iron your clothes, remove them immediately from the dryer so wrinkles don’t set.
b. In hot weather, wear light colored, cotton clothing and socks. This will absorb less heat and “sweat stains” will be less visible.
c. Consider trimming your arm pit hairs in warm weather. Less hairs, less bacteria, less smell.
