Every Father's Day brings the same old conundrum: What should you get the dad in your life? He has enough ties to fill a walk-in closet and so many coffee cups he could start his own diner. This year, why not encourage him to adopt a healthier lifestyle? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a lack of exercise and nutritious meals is responsible for approximately 400,000 deaths in the United States each year. But you can help turn this statistic around by taking heed of the following gift-giving advice.
1. Make each month fruitful.
There's no sweeter way to ensure that Dad gets his five servings of fruits and vegetables a day than by signing him up for a fruit-of-the-month club. A variety of retailers can be found on the Internet, with packages that last from three months to a year. To ease him into the idea, therefore ensuring that he'll eat the fruit instead of letting it go bad, throw in some accessories like a peeler, a corer, a cookbook, or a juicer.
2. Electrify his dental hygiene.
In 2006, the Journal of Dental Research published an Australian study indicating a strong link between gum disease and an increased likelihood of blood clots that could lead to a heart attack or a stroke. In addition to flossing, one of the best ways to keep gums healthy is to brush for at least two minutes twice a day. Many electric toothbrushes, ranging in price from as little as $15 to as much as $175, do an excellent job of removing plaque. Plus, many models are programmed to operate on a two-minute cycle.
3. Help him reform his couch-potato ways.
To successfully nudge Dad back into the world of the physically active, give him a piece of at-home gym equipment. While treadmills and elliptical machines can be costly, medicine balls, weights, and hand grips are priced more affordably and can be purchased at sporting goods stores or online. Just remember to think before you buy, lest that rowing machine becomes an overpriced clothes rack.
4. Encourage him to take the first step.
If Dad's been inactive for quite some time, it might be better to start him off with a pedometer, an inexpensive device that records the number of steps taken on any given trek. Many pedometers can connect to their manufacturer's websites, which sometimes provide exercise and nutritional tips, while keeping track of distance, speed, and calories burned on a daily or weekly basis.
5. Enable him to boost his brainpower.
Gifts like novels, crossword puzzles, and books on tape can help Dad improve his cognitive function and think beyond his usual day-to-day routine. What's more, according to a 2006 University of Edinburgh study, these types of IQ-enhancing pastimes may him extend the longevity of his brain cells and, as a result, live a longer, healthier life.
6. Use high-tech devices to boost his health.
If Dad's a gadget geek, Ninetendo's Wii Fit might be a great way to keep him fit. Or, if he tends to forget to take pills or make doctor's appointments, consider giving him a six-alarm vibrating watch, an electronic pill case with timer, or another organization gizmo. You can even purchase a personal digital assistant (PDA) and load it up with software that will remind Dad of all his medical obligations, such as medications, cholesterol screenings, and prostate exams.
