The military is one of those professions that demands a lot from you, both physically and mentally. As a result, they face a series of physical and emotional trials before they are ready to serve their country. But despite all the training, you must focus on self-care to live healthily. Failure to do so can have negative consequences leading to numerous health problems such as stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation.
Military veterans spend a lifetime serving their country, and they deserve a peaceful retirement. But unfortunately, most of them struggle to deal with underlying health issues after retirement. Chronic disorders such as depression tend to consume them by the scruff of their necks, especially when their immune system has weakened. Thankfully, there is something you can do about it.
Here are a few important health tips you can follow to live a peaceful and healthy life as a military veteran.
Undergo frequent medical checkups
Veterans go through many physically and mentally demanding assignments throughout their careers. But luckily, they enjoy compensation for their services in the shape of accommodations, free-of-cost medical checkups, higher pay scales, and various monetary and non-monetary incentives. But after retirement, all these perks might not be at their disposal, thus leading to negligence of their health and falling victim to diseases.
There are cases where military veterans report deteriorating health due to chronic diseases such as mesothelioma – A chronic illness that results from asbestos exposure. The US military uses asbestos as a primary component for military constructions and weaponry, thus making this disease unavoidable.
Thankfully, veterans with mesothelioma can obtain reimbursements via mesothelioma law firms if they are diagnosed. These law firms operate to bring justice and financial compensation to individuals wrongly exposed to asbestos. Consequently, they can use the money to undergo regular medical checkups and look after their health. Remember that frequent health checkups can help detect inherent health complications before they come to light.
Consume a balanced diet
The golden rule for a healthy life as a military veteran lies in consuming a balanced diet. Your dietary choices reflect your overall health, so you don’t want to mess it up. While in service, veterans are bound to eat healthy to stay fit for the job. But once they retire, they struggle to maintain good eating habits, leading to nutritional deficiencies and a weaker immune system.
Luckily, by eating a well-balanced diet, veterans can reverse health problems that may arise due to their negligence. Instead of eating processed foods and drinking alcohol, veterans must focus and replace them with wholesome foods such as organic fruits and vegetables. Because processed foods contain harmful quantities of concentrated carbs and fats, they can be detrimental to a person’s health.
In contrast, healthy foods include non-processed items such as homegrown fruits, vegetables, and non-processed meat. They are nutritious and help you combat underlying health complications due to malnutrition, not to mention their ability to strengthen your immune system against countless diseases.
Stay active
Physical activity is one of the best ways military veterans can stay healthy post-retirement. During service, they might undergo laborious exercises to meet job requirements. But as they retire, these exercises are just too much for them. As a result, some even abandon physical activity after retirement and live a sedentary lifestyle, thus becoming prone to health problems.
As a military veteran, you should develop good habits, such as indulging in physical activity even after service. Regular exercise or any other form of physical activity is known to elevate your overall health posture while minimizing potential health risks. Even low-intensity aerobics, such as walking, could be enough to put your health on the right track. In addition, you can choose among various physical activities such as swimming, running, or any other sports you enjoy.
Staying active has a lot of benefits to offer. For example, military veterans can increase physical activity post-retirement to strengthen their bones and muscles while enhancing their immune systems. Likewise, it is an excellent replacement for rigorous military training that you won’t be undergoing to keep your body in shape. Ultimately, by introducing physical activity into your lifestyle, you can eliminate health issues such as joint pain and low stamina and live a healthier life.
Exercise your mind and body
Healthcare professionals suggest that military veterans work on engaging their minds and bodies even after retirement. This does not necessarily mean performing rigorous exercises and high-intensity training. Instead, it emphasizes structuring your thought process and training your body to tackle any situation. This is where indulging in yoga and Tai Chi comes in handy.
Yoga is a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual practices that aims to work your mind and body. Research has shown that regularly performing yoga can help strengthen them by releasing certain hormones that promote sensations of relaxation. This can help you cope with mental stress. Yoga is also associated with building a positive mindset which is crucial for developing healthy relationships with friends and family.
Correspondingly, Tai Chi is also a popular practice that works your mind and body. This low-intensity practice involves deep breathing and calm body movements that promote healthy living. It is an ideal activity for military veterans since it doesn’t stress your bones and joints while increasing your body’s suppleness.
Manage financial stress
In today’s world, dealing with stress is a common phenomenon. Nearly everyone undergoes a state of stress that varies in type and intensity. But, for military veterans and aged people, too much stress can have extreme side effects on their overall health. Typically, veterans face financial stress post-retirement, thus putting them in a state of bother. In the worst cases, some fall for addictions to temporarily evade the reality of this world.
Therefore, the best way to conquer financial stress is to seek advice from financial advisors. They are your best bet to assess your financial prospects and help you spend your savings correctly. You can also start a new business or look for employment opportunities to meet your financial needs. Or, you can contact your family members and see if they can help.
Conclusion
As a military veteran, it can be challenging to look after your mental and physical health after service. However, you can stay healthy by undergoing regular medical checkups, eating a balanced diet, increasing physical activity, and managing financial stress effectively.