This Father’s Day, let’s ditch the World’s Best Dad mugs and ugly ties.
Father’s Day, like many of our holidays, has largely become a celebration of consumerism. In the first two weeks of June, advertisers flood our TVs, inboxes, and social media feeds with calls to buy Dad more tools, more socks, more fishing gear, more smart thermometers so he can track the temperature of his grill from the comfort of the couch without missing the game with an app on his phone!
But when did buying things become synonymous with showing how much we care about our loved ones?
Don’t get me wrong. I’ll be the first to acknowledge that I’m as guilty of this as the next person. Marketing companies know exactly what they’re doing, and the programming starts when we’re very young. Not to mention, the modern American lifestyle does not grant the majority of us the surplus of time, or even the energy, it requires to craft perfect, thoughtful celebrations of each and every person we love every single year. So why not buy Dad that beard trimming kit on display at the checkout line? At least he’ll know you were thinking of him.
But maybe there could be another way.
This Father’s Day, let’s shift our focus from material gifts to what truly matters: our dads’ health and well-being. Instead of reaching for another tie or tech gadget, let’s find meaningful ways to show our love and appreciation by encouraging healthier lifestyles and creating lasting memories.
Practical Tips to Honor Dad in a More Meaningful Way:
- Plan an Active Outing: Spend the day hiking, biking, or even taking a leisurely walk in a nearby park. Physical activity not only helps our bodies but also provides quality time together away from screens.
- Cook a Healthy Meal Together: Instead of treating Dad to a heavy, unhealthy meal, prepare a nutritious and delicious meal together. Use the opportunity to introduce healthier food options and cooking methods, like this blood-type friendly Turkey Burger Recipe.
- Schedule a Real Health Check-Up: Help Dad prioritize his health by scheduling a comprehensive health check-up. At our clinic, we emphasize in-depth biomarker assessments for evidence-based healthcare. This includes personalized testing for key biomarkers like testosterone, clotting-factors, inflammatory markers, essential vitamins and minerals, and more. Regular monitoring helps in identifying potential issues early and allows for personalized treatment plans to keep Dad feeling his best.
- Join a Fitness Class: Sign up for a fun fitness class that you can do together. Whether it’s yoga, pilates, or even a dance class, it’s a great way to stay active and bond over your shared lack of coordination.
- Gift a Health-Focused Subscription: Consider subscriptions that promote health, such as a healthy meal kit delivery service or even a meditation and mindfulness app. HeartMath’s Inner Balance™ Coherence Plus is a biofeedback device that includes a free lifetime subscription to their app. It helps users improve their heart rate variability (HRV) through guided techniques, translating heart rhythms into coherence scores, and providing real-time feedback that encourages practice and improvement. It’s a thoughtful gift that promotes relaxation and mental well-being.
- Spend Quality Time: Sometimes, the best gift is simply your time and attention. Spend the day doing what Dad loves, whether it’s playing a round of golf, watching a favorite movie, or just chatting over coffee.
By focusing on health and well-being, we’re not just giving a gift; we’re showing that we care about our dads’ futures and want them to be around for many more Father’s Days to come.
Final Thoughts
This Father’s Day, let’s honor the dads in our life by showing we care about their health. It’s time to redefine how we celebrate, moving away from consumerism and towards meaningful actions that promote longevity and quality of life. Let’s help our dads be more active, make better health decisions, and ensure they’re around for many more Father’s Days.
Here’s to giving the gift of health and cherishing the priceless moments we share with our fathers.
Happy Father’s Day!
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Lilly Young
Lilly Young, raised in the realm of health and wellness by her mother, Dr. Lari Young, blends her passion for writing and medical research to offer insightful contributions to the MyHealth1st blog.