The month of June is celebrated as Men’s Health Month around the globe. It’s important to take care of your body both on the inside and out! Here’s some food for thought for all the men out there reading this.
- On average, American men are living 5 years less than women!
- Your health entails every aspect of your wellbeing, including your sexual health!
It’s high time that you start prioritizing your overall wellness. And at Luxe Medical Aesthetics, in Katy, Texas, we’re all about helping you do just that!
But first, let’s talk about the most common health problems that men face, along with what causes them – and how you can take back control over your health!
As a Man, What Health Conditions Might Affect Me?
Whether its’ due to genetic predisposition, anatomy, or a simple difference in habits, men are just more prone to certain health conditions such as:
- Cardiovascular disease. Hypertension, Ischemic heart disease, or coronary artery disease, are just some of the leading causes of death in men. On average, men develop heart conditions 10 to 15 years earlier than women.
- Lung Cancer. Only 50% of men diagnosed with lung cancer live past one year.
- Today, in the United States, 15.3 % of men have diabetes, whereas 36.6 % are pre-diabetic. Men are also more prone to developing type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Still, around 30% of diabetic individuals are undiagnosed.
- Some other health conditions that typically affect men include skin cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, etc.
Why Do Men End Up Living Less Healthy Lives than Women?
Generally, men tend to be less healthy than women and even end up with a shorter life span in most cases. So, here are a few reasons why:
- Men don’t usually take good care of themselves.
- Men tend to have poor eating habits.
- Men engage in more high-risk behavior.
- They often wait until things get worse before they see a doctor.
- They believe that self-care is girly – which it isn’t!
How can I take better care of myself?
Get a move on
You should include some form of light or moderate exercise in your schedule. Here’s why:
🗸 Exercise keeps your body in check.
🗸 It soothes your mind.
🗸 It helps in lowering your triglycerides and risk of heart diseases.
🗸 It can also heighten your stamina.
WHO recommends that you include at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise per week in your schedule.
Be careful what you put in your body
Proper nutrition is key to good health. Focus on the nutrients rather than the calories. If you drink alcohol, see a doctor to determine if you need to cut back as well.
The Standard American Diet (SAD) is a calorie-rich diet with higher carbs and trans fat, which can give rise to certain medical conditions. You need to switch from SAD to the “Blue Zone Diet,” which consists of fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, milk and other fat-free products and is thus more nutritious.
Amazingly, the parts of the world that adhere to this diet also have the highest number of centenarians living in them!
Get enough sleep
Not getting enough sleep can take a toll on your physical health and mental health. 7 to 9 hours of sleep is crucial for your body to get enough rest and to carry out its functions. Having trouble sleeping? Here are a few tricks that can help:
🗸 Avoid taking caffeine at least 6 hours before bed.
🗸 Lessen or avoid screen time at least one hour prior.
🗸 Keep your room dark. The darker the room, the more melanin your body can produce, thus helping you get better sleep.
Take some time for yourself
Indulge in a hobby, hang out with your friends, and get involved in a fun activity that can help you relax. Anything that can help you minimize chronically high levels of stress will help.
Get help if needed
If you’re experiencing depression, anxiety, or other forms of mental illness, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There’s no shame in seeking assistance and it takes strength of character for anyone to get started on the road to recovery.
Schedule regular visits with your doctor
Men are notorious for NOT seeing a doctor -until things get really bad.
Don’t wait until you’re feeling poorly to see a doctor. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and a medical professional can keep an eye on your weight, BP, and cholesterol levels, among other things, and can help you nip certain conditions in the bud before they have a chance to take hold.
In the spirit of men’s health month this June, be sure to get a thorough health check-up today! And get your brothers, fathers, and friends to do the same while you’re at it!
