June is an important month for men! Not only was Father’s Day on the 16th, but National Men’s Health Week also took place during the 10th through the 16th. This month is great for highlighting men’s health issues that they may face in their lifetime.
While this is not the case for everyone, some men overlook preventative measures to protect their health. This can often be detrimental to their health and well-being.
In honor of Father’s Day and National Men’s Health Week this year, the experts at YourTown Health have provided the top five preventative health measures men should take.
1. Receive Regular Health Screenings
The best way to stay proactive about your health is by regularly checking for major issues before they develop. To put this in perspective, many serious conditions related to men’s health, such as prostate cancer and heart disease, can easily be managed and treated if they had been given the appropriate attention before becoming problematic.
Men should then continue to receive regular checkups and screenings with their healthcare provider.
Here is a list of health screenings and checks men should take to stay proactive about their health:
- Blood cholesterol
- Blood pressure
- Colon cancer
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis C
- HIV
- Prostate Cancer
Please speak to your provider about your personal risks for developing these health conditions.
2. Remain Active
Slowing down your level of activity as you get old is not recommended. A decrease in physical activity can lead to an increased risk of obesity, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. You don’t want to have to deal with any of those, so get up and get moving!
Ideally, aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. If you manage your time well, that only comes out to around 20 minutes a day.
3. Focus on Your Diet
In most scenarios, exercise is best paired with eating well.
Avoid eating an excessive amount of food that contains high levels of fat, salt, and artificial sugar content. Instead, reach for fruits, veggies, whole wheats, lean proteins, and drink plenty of water.
4. Focus on Mental Health
If you aren’t also focusing on your mental health, all of the work put on your physical health won’t create as big of an impact on your overall health as it should.
Your brain is a vital organ, and if it’s not properly exercised, there will be physical repercussions. For example, men with major health issues often experience weight gain, decrease sexual function, and mood swings.
That’s why it’s important to focus on how you’re feeling.
Depression and anxiety are major issues for men, as well. In fact, nine percent of men state that they have experienced daily feelings of depression and anxiety.
Therefore, make sure to acknowledge if any of those issues begin to impact your day to day life. Carve out time in your schedule to physically and mentally relax to avoid burnout and let your brain rest and restart.
Great ways to do that are engaging in yoga, taking long showers, going for a walk, or curling up on the couch with a good book or movie.
If you are experiencing any mental health conditions (i.e. depression or anxiety) and notice them worsening overtime, speak to your healthcare provider.
5. Don’t Forget to Sleep
You’ve always heard how important sleep is and it’s true!
Getting enough sleep is vital for your body to rest and repair. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, you’re negatively impacting your mental health and productivity. Learn more about the benefits of sleep here.
So, make sure you’re getting seven to eight hours of sleep every day. As a tip, go to bed without your phone to reduce distractions.
Do you have any more questions or concerns about the top five preventative health measures men should take? Reach out to the men’s healthcare professionals at YourTown Health by clicking here.
