Men’s sexual health is an important part of his overall personal health and wellbeing, and therefore, it is an important issue to consider in terms of self-care. Of course, since the main player in this regard is the penis, it stands to reason that this treasured appendage should receive a man’s primary attention when it comes to maintaining his sexual wellness.

Keeping in mind that the ability to achieve and maintain an erection is key to a healthy sex life, the following lifestyle tips are recommended:

1) First things first, put down that hamburger. The best thing you can do for a healthy penis is to maintain a nutritious and well-balanced diet. Poor eating habits lead to obesity, which reduces testosterone levels in your body, thus creating obstacles for future erections. Sound fun? Definitely not. Men with a higher body mass index are more likely to be affected by fatty deposits in the arteries and veins, leading to cardiovascular and erectile issues.

The best thing to do is to eat clean and healthy as often as you can. A few amazing foods to eat for a healthy penis are spinach, watermelon, ginger, tomatoes, chicken breasts, cherries, oats and green tea. The vitamins and nutrients in these foods provide your penis with a variety of important nutrients, like L-citrulline, potassium, serotonin and l-arginine. These nutrients directly affect your erection and can mean the difference between an issue in the bedroom on Saturday night or having an intense sex session with a mighty grand erection.

2) Minimizing stress is another important factor. Stress releases adrenaline and cortisol, hormones that negatively impact an erection, making stress-relieving practices necessary to better sexual health. However, many people struggle with finding ways to relax. Health professionals recommend making time to meditate, practice yoga or Pilates, or simply focus on your breathing for 2 minutes a day.

3) Stop smoking immediately. In addition to causing cancer, heart disease and emphysema, tobacco narrows the blood vessels that carry blood to your penis to produce an erection. Furthermore, it promotes inflammation and decreases oxygen supply to vital parts of the body.

4) Make sure to get to the doctor for your annual check-up, including a workup of your plumbing. In addition, make it a practice to do testicular self-check to detect any early signs of problems. Quick guide: Take a warm bath or shower and gently examine each organ with your fingers by placing your index and middle fingers underneath and your thumb directly on top of one of your testicles. Gently roll it around in your fingers, feeling for any irregular sized bumps or lumps within the sack.

5) Avoid heavy alcohol consumption to keep your penis healthy. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to loss of sexual desire, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. If you participate in drinking, keep a close eye on the amount. Seek professional advice if you feel you have a drinking problem.

6) Keep it clean down there. Make sure to properly wash and dry the genital area, especially if you are uncircumcised. Be certain to keep your skin soft, silky and moisturized with a product made specifically for skin, like a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin). This particular health crème is a super weapon, containing vitamins and nutrients essential to the wellbeing of private area skin, like vitamin C, for collagen production, and Shea butter, which hydrates the skin leaving the area soft and smooth. Keep the penis skin clean, dry, and hydrated for optimal health.