Serving your country is an honor for patriotic citizens, but it’s more so if you are part of the military. War veterans serve their country for many years, but unfortunately, war doesn’t come without repercussions. Increased exposure to asbestos, gun powder, and extreme weather can harm your mind and body. Most war veterans dream of living a prosperous life after service. But sometimes, certain health conditions can affect their lifestyle and mental and physical health. Depression, anxiety, and chronic illnesses are some bizarre health problems that war veterans might have to endure. Thankfully, there are ways through which you can cope with them. This article will highlight how you can stay healthy as a war veteran after service.
Frequent medical checkups
During service, military personnel gets to enjoy many perks as compensation for their services. Accommodation, medical checkups, high pay scales, and many other benefits are provided. But after they have served in the military, they might not have a solid income. This can sometimes lead to negligence towards their health, thus falling ill to certain maladies.
The US military is one of the most powerful militaries in the world, but that doesn’t mean they don’t make mistakes. In the early 20th century, the US military war weaponry used asbestos as a primary component. At that time, none knew of the consequences of increased exposure to asbestos, leading to health problems among military personnel.
Military people were diagnosed with mesothelioma – a chronic disorder caused due to increased exposure to asbestos. You can visit the Mesothelioma Veterans Center and get a thorough medical checkup and treatment. These medical institutes are fully equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and professional doctors who can look after retired war veterans. So, if you want to spend the rest of your days in peace and happiness, getting frequent medical checkups is the way forward.
Make the right dietary choices
Eating healthy goes a long way towards living a wholesome lifestyle. You must understand every food choice you make directly affects your overall health in the long run. Veterans who have served years in the military realize the importance of a nutrient-rich diet. But after retirement, keeping tabs on your diet and ensuring you eat healthy becomes difficult.
Still, always ensure you make the right dietary choices as a war veteran if you wish to live a long and happy life. Today, many food industries are promoting food choices that aren’t on the healthier side, such as fast foods. Eating such foods can lead to obesity, heart diseases, and other illnesses that can be your worst nightmare. Therefore, you should always stick to a well-balanced diet and refrain from eating fast foods and bakery items. Ideally, your meals should comprise balanced portions of proteins and leafy greens. Because meat and vegetables fill you up with nearly all the macros you require, they should be a part of your regular diet plan. You can choose to reward yourself with an occasional treat, but avoid eating fast foods, drinking alcohol, or sugary items. This way, not only will you stay fit, but also prevent consuming extra calories.
Engage in exercise
Many studies show that frequent physical activity is one of the best ways of staying happy and healthy. People who exercise regularly feel more energized while they are less likely to fall ill from numerous diseases. After service, veterans should indulge in routine exercise or any physical activity they enjoy to.
A sound mind in a sound body is the golden rule of living a healthy life and physical activity can reward you with both. Walking, jogging, running, or swimming are some physical activities that can keep your body up and running for a long time. They also help you develop stronger bones, muscles, immune systems, and a faster metabolism. You can also consider hitting the gym if that is what you enjoy. In either case, ensure that you take out some time for yourself daily to engage in physical activity for a healthy living.
Work your mind and body
Staying mentally and physically fit doesn’t mean doing hours of exercise or any other physical activity. Instead, it is all about preparing your mind and body to cope with any situation thrown at you. Medical experts believe indulging yourself in yoga and Tai Chi is an excellent start. Because both work your mind and body in a way that keeps them healthy, they are worth a shot.
Yoga is known to provide many health benefits. Doing yoga daily can significantly strengthen you physically and mentally. It can induce calmness and relaxed sensations, thus helping you manage stress or anxiety. Consequently, this relaxed mindset can help you develop better personal and work relationships. Besides, yoga is also considered effective in correcting your body posture while helping with numerous breathing practices.
On the other hand, Tai Chi can be an excellent addition to your daily physical activity. It is a low-intensity exercise that is ideal for retired war veterans. Tai Chi involves deep breathing and slow body movements that can help keep you fit for longer. It also promises minimal stress on your bones and joints, thus ensuring you don’t suffer from injuries.
Manage financial stress
Financial stress can be difficult to deal with, especially in the latter part of your life. After retirement, most war veterans find it challenging to meet the financial requirements of their families, resulting in financial stress. In worst cases, they can even fall for addictions and anxiety that can harm their health. Henceforth, managing your financial stress as a retired war veteran is extremely important. For this purpose, you must understand your financial position and devise a strategy to deal with it. You can also seek help from financial experts to become financially literate to create a promising future for your loved ones.
Conclusion
Serving in the military is tough, but keeping yourself fit after service is no less than a challenge. Fortunately, you can ensure you live a long and healthy life with little effort. You can engage in physical activity, eat a well-balanced diet, manage stress, and get yourself medically examined to ensure you stay fit in the long run.
Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.