Five easy to follow tips for men that will improve your health and well-being.
June is Men’s Health Month and here are five things you can do – or encourage the men in your life to do – to promote good health and wellbeing.
Get a Checkup. One of the easiest things men can do to contribute to a longer, healthier life is to see their physician regularly. This can help prevent future health problems by establishing baselines for factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and PSA (a screening test for prostate cancer risk). Regular monitoring of these factors is key to helping your care team catch and treat potentially dangerous conditions early.
Get Up and Get Moving! There are many benefits to daily exercise and an active lifestyle. The American Cancer Society recently changed its recommendations on physical activity, stating adults should get 150-300 minutes of moderate or 75-150 minutes of vigorous exercise every week in order to maintain a healthy weight and reduce their risk of cancer. Leading a sedentary life and being overweight is linked to many other types of illnesses as well, including diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma.
Maintain a Healthy Diet. It’s not always easy, but experts agree that sticking to a diet that’s low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars is ideal. With a variety of healthy options, the Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil and flavorful herbs and spices, and offers a host of health benefits, including weight loss, heart and brain health.
Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol Consumption. The CDC cites smoking as the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Smoking kills more than 276,000 men every year, and male smokers put themselves at risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, and other debilitating diseases. Additionally, alcohol abuse is a known contributor to chronic liver disease and accidental death. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption will greatly increase your chances of living a longer, healthier life.
Make Mental Health a Priority. Maintaining emotional wellness is one of the keys to living a healthy and balanced life. Some things you can do to contribute to better mental health include exercising, spending time outdoors, connecting with friends and family, getting a good night’s sleep and helping others. A short, 10-minute walk is all you need to promote the production of endorphins in the brain and increase mental alertness.
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