By Jaime Joshi Elder
Even though targeted advertising will tell you that Dad wants golf gear, whiskey or BBQ utensils, the best you can give the father figure in your life is the gift of good health.
When you love someone, you want them to be happy and stick around as long as possible. Luckily, Palm Beach County has numerous options for creative, health-focused gifts for the men in your life who made sure you have what you needed to thrive.
- Exercise and Mental Clarity
“Modern men are embracing different roads to wellness. While in the past, most focus was on weight lifting, strength building overall, today we see and encourage them to try different techniques, like bodyweight plyometrics, pilates and barre classes,” said Andrea Lincoln, founder of Barre Studio in Lake Worth.
Barre is a toning, body weight lifting exercise which actually involves compound exercises, so that the entire body can be exercises in 45-50 minutes
“These types of exercises not only work on the smaller, intrinsic muscles but focus on balance and
stabilizing for longevity. It can also improve the golf game, calm the mind and is the perfect compliment to any cardio or sedentary lifestyle.”
- Care For Your Hair, Care For Your Mental Health
According to the Cleveland Clinic, almost 70% of men lose their hair as they age which can have an effect on self-esteem, self-perception and mental health.
Scalp Micro Pigmentation or SMP is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure used for thinning hair or hair loss. It is also known as a hair tattoo.
Barber Gabe Galarza is a local expert in the field whose work has been featured nationally. He got started in the industry when he experienced hair loss of his own.
“This procedure is perfect for anyone who is experiencing hair loss. Keeping in mind that there are severe situations with sudden hair loss where a patient can have one or more circular bald patches. This is called alopecia aerate. In some cases, SMP is an inexpensive and quick solution to help individuals with this condition,” Gabe said. “When an SMP treatment is completed, I love the reaction from my clients as they come in bald and leave with a huge smile on their faces, full of confidence and extremely happy with their new look.”
- Supplementing Your Health
Eating a varied and healthy diet is essential to optimal health but it can be difficult to ensure you’re getting your recommended daily allowance of all of the vitamins and minerals you need with diet.
A National Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, Roshini Singh is the founder of 365 Wellness, a direct primary care practice, and advocates for incorporating turmeric into your diet for wellness through adding the spice to your food and through supplements such as Fusionary Formulas.
“Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin, a well-studied anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial. Many of our common conditions such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity all can cause inflammation in the body,” said Roshini. “If the source of chronic inflammation is not treated, there are long term devastating health consequences.”
- Love The Skin You’re in
Your skin is your largest organ and deserves protection and care to keep you looking and feeling your best. In addition to the daily application of sunscreen – a must in South Florida – there are numerous things you can do to protect your skin.
“The ideal men’s skincare regimen typically includes key steps like cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing, along with additional treatments like tretinoin and vitamin C for enhanced benefits and preventative aging,” said Charles Riccio, MD, Advanced Fellowship Trained Plastic Surgeon at Estetica Institute of the Palm Beaches.
“Start with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities, followed by exfoliation to promote skin renewal. Incorporating tretinoin, a powerful retinoid, can help improve fine lines and skin texture, while vitamin C provides antioxidant protection and brightens the complexion. Finish with a moisturizer to hydrate and nourish the skin, locking in moisture for a healthy-looking complexion. Everybody’s skin and skincare requirements are different so be sure to drop into Estética for a free personalized consultation with me and my team!”
- Schedule Your Colonoscopy
For men over 45, scheduling a colonoscopy is one of the most important things you can do.
“By 2030, early-onset colorectal cancer is expected to become the leading cancer-related cause of death for people aged 20-to-49,” said Kyle Eldredge, DO of Advanced Surgical Physicians and board certified general surgery specialist.
The relative survival rate for colorectal cancer is 65% at 5 years and with early detection, chances for survival increase.
“Screening should start at 45 for those persons at average risk as over 90% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed in people older than 45,” he said. “But if you notice abdominal pain, bloody stool or a change in bowel habits, talk to your physician about scheduling a colonoscopy or a stool-based study. Every test has its advantages and the best test is the one that gets done.”
This year, consider giving the dads in your life the gift of health and show him that even though you’re not holding his hand anymore, you will always have his back.