Category: Men's Health
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Look Great At Any Age: For the Guys
July 10, 2009
Get insider tips for men to look and feel great at any age. From exercise and relaxation, to taking time for yourself, find out what works.
Look Great At Any Age: For the Guys
November 2009
When you’re a guy, taking care of your personal appearance may seem like an extra effort, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some insider tips to look and feel great at any age.
Danny - 20s
Unlike our female counterparts, guys haven’t had years of experience in personal grooming. Let’s face it: the 20’s can be rough for us men. A 9-to-5 job replaces the nights of partying. And the college attire of a t-shirt and sweats is traded in for a suit and tie. Without making simple changes, the transition from college to the “real world” can take a toll on a guy’s appearance.
I remember when I first entered the corporate lifestyle. It did no favors to my gut or my mental well-being. The first three months involved sitting at a desk for 10 hours straight, and lots of frozen TV dinners. Upon realizing the negative effects of this routine on my body and my happiness, I quickly made a change.
But looking good isn’t just about the body; it’s the whole package. I like to maintain a clean, professional look. Every four to five weeks I go to a local salon for a haircut and complimentary massage. There is something to be said about having a massage every once in a while. It just makes you feel good, which in turn helps you look good, too! Staying active and eating healthy allows me to offset my obsessions with delicious food at a fine restaurant, beers at a tailgating party, or cocktails at a bar. It’s all about living a balanced life while still having fun. Cheers to a healthy and fulfilling life!
About Danny
Danny moved to Louisville, KY, last year from Miami, FL, as part of Humana’s Infusion program. Danny is on the Humana Games for Health team at Humana’s Innovation Center working on initiatives to make healthy things more fun. He enjoys meeting new people and being involved in community events.
Jason - 30s
How do you take care of your health, have a successful career, and still find personal time for family and friends? It’s often difficult to fit everything in. No doubt, life is a juggling act, and it seems that we often drop the ball when it comes to our health - resulting in a laundry list of physical and emotional issues: exhaustion, anxiety, depression, colds, backaches, and headaches. Here are some of my tried and tested tips for maintaining balance and staying healthy.
Establish priorities I set healthy boundaries for myself and stick to them. It-s important not to spread yourself too thin with too many obligations.
Break time When I-m stressed or strained at work, I step away from my desk and take a stroll around the block.
Take care of your health I try to get enough sleep and exercise to increase my mental sharpness and physical endurance. It also helps to choose healthy foods and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Laughter A dose or two a day will do wonders for you!
Splurge I take time to treat myself - a manicure, pedicure, massage, or an entire day at the spa. Go ahead - you deserve it!!
About Jason
Jason is a marketing consultant at Humana. He is an avid runner and enjoys the theatre, travel, and gardening. He also does volunteer work for many local arts organizations.
Jeff - 40s
Can those of us in our 40s still look good, at this age? Yes, we can! After all, 40 is the new 20; or is it the new 30? Regardless, here are a few things men can do to keep looking good in their 40s.
The perfect shave A great shave keeps your face looking good at any age. If you use a disposable or replacement blade razor, try these tips to get the best possible shave.
- Apply a mild facial scrub to your face and rinse before shaving. This cleans the pores and helps the beard “stand up” for a close shave.
- Use a shaving cream or gel that goes on smoothly and stays close to the skin like a lotion. Shave foams may not adhere to the skin as close as gels or creams.
- Use triple or quadruple blades for a closer shave.
- Don’t use the same disposable razor or replacement blade for more than four shaves.
Put your best face forward Every woman knows the key to great looking skin is to moisturize. And the same goes for guys, too. Shaving can damage or dry your skin, so moisturize immediately after every shave.
- Use fragrance-free lotions to reduce skin irritants, especially if you have sensitive skin.
- Use face lotions with sunscreen and a minimum SPF 8. Ultraviolet sun rays damage your skin even on overcast days in the winter.
- Check the label and avoid lotions that contain high amounts of alcohol or other irritants that can cause skin to dry
Beauty sleep - really? Does sleeping really help you look better? The HR team at Humana has learned from several neuroscience researchers and thought leaders that getting plenty of sleep reduces stress, lowers cortisol levels, and allows your brain to process thinking that can lead to insights the following day.
And if you don’t get enough sleep, it’s going to be written all over your face. A lack of sleep causes bags and discoloration under the eyes. Others will notice that you just don’t seem as alert or make as many contributions to meetings and conversations when you’re tired. Getting plenty of sleep not only feels good, it helps you look good, too.
Don’t worry about gray hair - just get a good haircut Looking good doesn’t mean coloring your hair or trying to cover-up the gray. The best looking hair is the result of a good haircut. Find a good barber or stylist who knows how fast your hair grows and who can cut your hair to accommodate the direction that it grows.
A good haircut does not have to be expensive. It just has to make you look great. And don’t wait three or four weeks to get the next haircut. I keep mine looking great by getting a good haircut every two weeks.
Living colors Men don’t have to limit their wardrobes to just dark suits and white shirts. Add color to your wardrobe to keep looking good at any age. Shirts, ties and coats are close to the face, so make sure they brighten and highlight your look.
- Wear bright, colorful ties that complement and contrast the color of your shirt and suit.
- Wear a tie with an interesting pattern or texture to keep your shirt and suit from looking "flat" and boring.
- Wear colorful ties and shirts all year round, and don’t limit them to spring or summer months.
What helps you look good? Don’t take my word for it. Take a look in the mirror and decide what helps you look your best. Listen to others when they tell you that you look good. And ask for specific feedback to find out what you can keep doing to look good and feel good at any age.
About Jeff
Jeff is an Organization Developer in Humana’s Capability Building Team in Human Resources. Jeff leads executive coaching for Humana leaders and volunteers as the chair of the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management (KY SHRM). In his spare time, Jeff and his husband Bob, enjoy keeping up with their active, nine-year-old son, Adam.
Kirk - 50s
For me, looking good starts with feeling good. When I’m carrying too many extra pounds and not getting enough activity, fatigue can set in and rob my vitality. I keep that from happening by commuting to work by bike throughout the year.
My bike ride is the best part of my day. It helps me arrive at the office energized - and melt away stress on my way home. Most people don’t realize that cycling as little as 20 minutes a day can reduce your heart risk by 50%, according to the American Heart Association. But riding to work isn’t always a breeze. In rain and snow, I have to plan ahead, carry a change of clothes, and be prepared when weather forecasts are suddenly betrayed by reality. I’m not looking my best when I get caught in a downpour, but I can always do a quick change into extra clothes I keep at work.
Bicycling helps me stay connected to my inner child and I think that helps me maintain a youthful attitude - even at age 58. Keeping that healthy outlook may be the best way to look good at any age.
About Kirk
Kirk, a corporate marketing copywriter, has worked for Humana three years. He writes about a lot of health and wellness issues. Away from work, Kirk loves bicycling, spending time with family and friends, and walking his boxer, Miya.
