Lifestyle: 5 healthy living tips for men

While it's important for everyone to engage in healthy living practices, regardless of age, gender or physical fitness level, it's especially important to begin these good habits early on in life. Many people find that by establishing good living habits and lifestyle practices at a young age, it becomes much easier to maintain them and stay healthy throughout the rest of their life.

There are a few healthy living tips that young men everywhere should consider following in order to be healthy not only while they're still young, but as they get older as well.

Read on for a few of these basic guidelines.

1. Exercise regularly While many young men already participate in sports or other activities, it's essential that you continue to practice these things. It can be much easier to participate in exercise activities while you're in school than it is after you've graduated and have begun to take on a job and other responsibilities. It's crucial that you continue to make regular exercise a part of your life. Plan to get a good workout of some kind on four to six days per week.

2. Don't push yourself too hard Because many young men are in excellent shape, it can be difficult for those who are not quite as fit to engage in exercise programs. The temptation is often there to push oneself further and harder than is safe or healthy. Always keep in mind your own fitness level and do not push yourself beyond your capacity. This will only lead to discouragement and, even worse, to potential injury.

3. Eat right Eating healthily is an important way of maintaining your overall health, regardless of your age. Because many young men have strong metabolisms and seem to be able to eat a lot of food without gaining weight, it's easy to take this as an excuse to eat whatever you want. Keep in mind, however, that the food that you eat may have a bearing on a lot more than just your weight. Your exercise levels, fitness, stamina and long-term health are all affected by what you eat.

4. Avoid drinking and smoking Many young men smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. While engaging in either of these practices in moderation has become common throughout the United States and the world, they are still not considered to be healthy living practices. Abstain from drinking and smoking if at all possible. At the very least, you'll be healthier if you do not smoke or drink to excess at any time. Because these habits are also quite expensive to maintain, you'll find that you'll be much better able to save money by limiting the amount that you drink and smoke.

5. Visit the doctor It's important to get a regular physical exam and to have any medical issues checked out by a doctor. The fact that you're a young man doesn't mean that you aren't subject to important medical concerns.