In general, we – men, have more unhealthy habits and a shorter life expectancy than women.
But our health issues don’t just affect us. They also have a significant impact on our family members, loved ones, and friends. The conditions, which I want to discuss below, can affect everything: from sexual and marital relationships to the quality and length of our lives.
Unfortunately, it can be very difficult for men to talk about these issues, especially when it comes to sex or masculinity. By taking even the most minor symptoms seriously and discussing them with your chosen health care providers, you can take a more active role in your own health care. Educating us – men, about sensitive and touchy health issues, and passing this information on to our loved ones can also save our own lives.
Some tips to keep in mind when it comes to men’s overall health
See all your doctors
Many people don’t like going to the doctor, dentist or eye doctor (oculist/optometrist/ophthalmologist), but annual visits are important to maintain our health. By making efforts to attend these visits, you significantly reduce the risk of developing health problems. Check-ups become even more important if you have any medical conditions. In this case, specialists will be able to monitor your health and its ongoing progress. In the past, people thought that it was enough to be physically active and do everyday things, but more and more people realize that they need and sometimes require specialized care in addition to their annual visits to doctors.
While the specialist you choose will depend on your condition, sun exposure (which is greater during the Summer and early Fall months), also makes it a good time to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist and dermatologist.
As you age, your eyes are a huge indicator of your overall health. If you notice a direct change in your vision, be sure to see an eye doctor as soon as possible. Years of sun exposure can lead to a degradation in your vision health, so getting a routine checkup before summer is in full swing is a great idea. After this appointment, make sure that you regularly update your eyewear every year more regularly (if glasses are indicated). Luckily with the rise of online shopping, there are many affordable and durable men’s eyewear options available in a variety of styles. In addition to updating your lenses, it’s also a good idea to have sunglasses, a hat, or some type of face covering to protect your eyes from the rays. Besides your vision health, it’s important to pay attention to your skin’s health. Use this time to see a dermatologist so you can get a head-to-toe skin checkup. Just like with your eyes, the sun’s rays can have negative impacts on your skin health. Years of sun exposure can lead to things like wrinkles, flaky skin, liver spots, and melanoma. A thorough examination by a dermatologist will help rule out any sun-related problems as much as possible.
Exercise regularly
Staying active is a huge asset and value to your health. Many people think that exercise only benefits you physically, but it also helps you mentally just as much. Even if you dedicate just thirty minutes out of your day to work out, you will notice a huge difference in how your body and mind interact between each other. Exercise brings relaxation, signs of inner peace, better sleeping patterns, increased mental health and other positive benefits. Just like going to your annual medical appointments, taking your body to the exercising mode can significantly reduce your risk of developing any problems or serious diseases in your body. There are also many different ways you can incorporate exercise into your routine, e.g. with your family or friends, and one of the most fun ways is to exercise with your kids. Not only will you spend more time with your loved ones, but you’ll also find that having a workout buddy boosts your motivation.
Maintain a healthy diet
Eating nutritious meals instead of fast food or other quick and easy solutions is extremely important for your health. By fueling your body with fruits and vegetables, you will notice a huge improvement in your energy levels. You may also even notice a difference in your skin feeling more refreshed since there are so many other benefits to eating healthy aside from feeling energized. If you’re having trouble figuring out how to eat, consider creating a meal plan or schedule to help keep you on track. There are a number of benefits to preparing your meals beforehand, so consider which system will work best for your lifestyle. To take things a step further, consider keeping a food diary to accurately measure how certain foods interact with each other and with you. Food diaries simply allow you to add some qualitative perspective, so you’re not just counting calories and carbs. Finding and maintaining a balanced diet is a great way to improve your health in many ways.
Make mental health a priority
Making sure that you make your mental health a priority is extremely important for your overall wellness. Mental health can often be overlooked when it comes to ways to improve your overall health, especially for men. Your mental state is just as important as your physical one, so you should always make an effort to keep track of it just as you would with other parts of your body.
If you find that you need to take this a step further, consider making an appointment with a mental health specialist.
Today, there are a number of online psychological counseling and psychotherapy services that you can choose from, which means that you can get the help you need in an environment that is more convenient for you. With our busy day-to-day lives, health can often be put on the back burner until an issue arises. Taking even just a few minutes out of your day to focus on your health can make a big difference to how you feel and affect the body greatly.