take-heed call Love Your Dad? Here's 10 Heart-Healthy Gifts For Father's Day Medically reviewed on Apr 24, 2017 by L. Anderson, PharmD . Previous 1 of 11 Next View as slideshow Love Your Dad? Love His Heart, Too. With so many gifts on the market that promote health and well-being, it's easy to find that perfect thank you for dad. Whether it's a simple, cost-free booklet of homemade gift certificates, or a new-fangled wearable device that tracks steps throughout the day, a gift that boosts heart health is a win-win for everyone. Follow along as we outline some great gifts for dad that will show how much you really do care! Go Take A Hike What better way to spend the day with your dad than to get outdoors? Pack a healthy lunch with lean protein, cold veggies, sparkling water, and fruit salad for dessert. Then head out to your favorite shady spot. Whether it's hiking in the mountains, up to a waterfall, or down the breezy beach, spending quality time with your special guy (minus everyone's smart phones) will be a most appreciated gift. Just be sure you follow safety rules for a safe hike. Consider a nifty, retractable hiking stick as an extra gift for your dad or other loved one. An added gift - suggest you all take a hike again - and soon. Water, Water Everywhere, But Not a Drop to Drink You know that drinking plenty of water - cold and clean water - is a great way to stay healthy, keep full (to avoid snacking), and stay hydrated. But does dad drink enough water? Probably not. Maybe he just isn't reminded to drink water each day. Consider a BPA-free water bottle for on-the-go and even a water cooler for inside the home. Smaller water coolers can often be found at organic grocery stores, some big-box retailers, and even online. If plentiful water is at hand, everyone is more likely to drink it regularly. This is not only a Father's Day gift, but one that benefits everyone in the home. Puppy-Love While this is not a gift that should be bought without adequate thought and commitment from your dad or special caregiver, a puppy or dog from a shelter is another gift that benefits many. With so many animals waiting for their forever-home, consider a trip to the local shelter to find man's best friend. Dogs not only help to boost our mood, they provide loving companionship , too. And dogs need a walk. A 30 minute walk every day, fresh air, and lots of new 'dog' friends - both human and canine - are just a few of the many benefits of dog ownership. Heart Health. One Step at A Time. There's nothing to keep you walking like an attainable goal. And with the tech wearables that can help you track your daily activity, goals are one step closer. Your dad or loving caregiver can see his daily number of steps, distance walked, calories burned, heart rate, floors climbed, active minutes and sleep time. Plus, with a multitude of different color options, a tech wearable like a watch can be a fashion statement, too. Can't afford the cost? No problem, even a digital pedometer will do the trick. Just be sure to have your favorite man run his new workout routine by his doctor prior to embarking. Breakfast In Bed Taking your dad out for brunch? Brunch on Father's Day tends to be fat-laden meal full of calories, artery-clogging cholesterol, and sugar. Instead of taking dad out for brunch, consider making him a healthier mid-morning breakfast , complete with whole grain blueberry muffins, egg white omelettes, turkey or Canadian bacon, and freshly squeezed juice. Leave out any preservatives, artifical colors or sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, or trans fats . Your dad might be surprised how much he loves healthier meals - that are lighter on his bathroom scale, too. And don't forget the newspaper! Let's Get (Our Dad) Physical One thing is for sure - men love to gather around to pump some iron, sweat a little, and make a few prehistoric noises . If your dad or special guy doesn't have a gym membership, consider starting one for him close to his work or the house. Many gym memberships offer great exercise equipment - without the bells and whistles like a juice bar or child care - and cost only $10 to $20 per month. Shop around to see what deals are offered for gym memberships in your neighborhood. Maybe his work might even offer a deal on a gym membership. Your dad - and his heart - will thank you! De-Stress For Less Money a little tight for a Father's Day gift? No worries. A great gift is one you can make yourself, right now, with just a little paper and some creativity. Put together a booklet of Just For You gift certificates - and think about how you can help your dad or favorite man to de-stress. Too hot for him to mow the lawn? Consider a certificate to take on the job yourself. What about washing the car? Give up some time to help organize that garage, fix a nice dinner, or even forfeit a night of your favorite TV so dad can watch his game. Helping dad to de-stress - without breaking the bank - is a sure-fire winner for everyone. The Music Man Listening to your favorite tunes can really help release your anxiety, bottled-up stress, and even lower blood pressure . But Pop not into hip-hop? Not a problem. Gather some of his favorite tunes, even country, classical or jazz, and make a playlist tailored just to your dad or special caregiver. Mix it up just for fun to make it an original and personal gift. Another thoughtful gift to go with the music? A great set of headphones - that are also noise-canceling - for those packed airplane flights when he travels. While music is universal , encourage dad to take his individual time to listen and relax - all in good health! Dad's a Brianiac. Let's Keep It That Way Who doesn't love a new toy? As we age, working the mind is just as important as working the heart. Games, crossword puzzles, and even just regular reading can help to keep the mind active. Consider a new game for dad. Make a date with him each week, too, to play a game of backgammon, chess or even take a trip to the library to check out the latest NY Times bestseller. Keeping up with exercise will benefit the brain waves , too, and dad can remain more active overall. There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch Power lunches, complete with a cocktail or two, are a thing of the past for many working men. Time efficiency at work is important to get the job done, and to get home at a decent hour to spend time with family. But eating out can still be an unhealthy and costly option, even if the martini's are no longer on the bill. Consider getting dad a colorful and roomy lunch bag to pack a heart-healthy lunch. Cut out recipes with great low-cal lunch options, and tie them to the side of his new lunch bag. Then, to top it off, get yourself out of bed before he does and make a few healthy work lunches to celebrate his much deserved Father's Day. Finished: Love Your Dad? Here's 10 Heart-Healthy Gifts For Father's Day NEXT UP Hitting the Beach? Soak Up These Top Sun Safety Tips We all want to look good - especially in the spring and summer when warmer weather means it s beach time. But, we also know that spending time in the sun DON'T MISS Seasonal Allergies: Top Prevention Tips Here, review how to safely pick the allergy medicine that may be right for you. View all slides as one page Print this page FDA Consumer Updates Depression: FDA-Approved Medications May Help Dealing with ADHD: What You Need to Know Making Decisions for Your Health: Getting the Info You Need FDA: Cutting-Edge Technology Sheds Light on Antibiotic Resistance More FDA updates significant
always Love Your Dad? Here's 10 Heart-Healthy Gifts For Father's Day is widely known
EmoticonEmoticon