Studies reveal that men visit the doctor a lot more frequently than women do. This can delay the diagnosis of health issues and put men at risk of serious health problems. It may be an explanation for why women tend to live longer. This is why men (or anyone in general) need to schedule regular checkups to monitor their health markers, such as blood pressure, weight, cholesterol levels, etc.
Men can also benefit from a proper diet with the best multivitamin for men, and other nutrients. In the following blog, let’s learn about the health areas men need to take care of to dodge severe health issues in the future.
Here are some essential things that men need to take care of to improve the quality of their lives:
1. Your Skin Needs Protection
Astonishingly, some men have spotless skin while all they do is wash their faces with soap. While the skin may look flawless outside, it can still be prone to microscopic damage due to UV rays and pollution. Applying a layer of good moisturiser with sunscreen helps protect your skin from ageing and cancer-causing UV rays.
The use of sunscreen for men came further into the spotlight in 2013 when the Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman talked about his skin cancer and stressed the importance of using sunscreen. To protect your skin, you need antioxidants and multivitamins (vitamins C and E) that prevent the adverse effects of oxidative stress. For this, you can consume the best vitamin tablets.
2. Get Your Prostate Examined
Prostate cancer is yet another notorious issue that affects men’s health. As per the American Cancer Society, 1 out of every 44 men is estimated to lose his life due to prostate cancer. The signs to notice include:
- Difficulty passing urine
- Blood in urine
- Blood in semen
- Erectile dysfunction
If you are showing any of these symptoms, it is time to schedule a doctor's appointment. If not cancer, it may indicate other health issues that need to be addressed in time.
3. Break Free from Unhealthy Habits
Smoking and drinking alcohol are some of the top reasons for men’s declining health, leading to lung cancer and liver problems. Don’t smoke, but accompany your friends on a smoke break. That’s no better. As per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 7,300 American non-smokers die of lung cancer due to passive smoking. There are no safe levels of smoking, and even one cigarette per day can increase the risk of heart disease to a great extent.
You might also benefit from putting a halt to frequent drinking habits and consuming alcoholic drinks in moderation. This roughly means you should avoid taking more than two drinks daily. As per studies, 30% of people with a history of alcohol consumption of 40 g/day may develop cirrhosis, causing permanent scarring and damage to liver tissues. To reduce the risk of heart damage, you can consume heart-friendly foods, such as capsules of fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
4. Exercise Regularly
Exercising daily is very important for maintaining your physical and mental health. It helps you lose excess weight, reduces stress, and minimises the risks of heart disease in the long run. Any regular exercise will help keep your heart strong, lower your blood pressure, and more.
You can begin with just 20-30 minutes of moderate cardio and include some intensive moves as you progress. Try to do this most days of the week. Per week, you can combine 150 minutes of moderate cardio with 75 minutes of vigorous exercise to give your entire body a good workout. You can also extend it by involving strength training and building muscles in your activities. Try to include at least two weight lifting sessions, rock climbing, yoga, or any other exercise that builds the muscles weekly.
5. Keep Yourself Mentally Fit
Stigmas surrounding mental health often prove to be a hurdle for men to overcome regarding opening up about their mental struggle. According to the US stats, in 2022 that stated how suicide fatalities among men were 3.85 times that of women. This question demands great attention because mental health is as important as physical health. There are ways to get active mental health care and seek needed help:
- Talk to Close Friends & Family : Talking about things can help vent out some pent-up stress and make you feel less alone. Seek out a friend, parent, or counsellor to talk to and avoid bottling things inside.
- Schedule Self-Care: Find something you like or even a hobby you wish to start and find time for stress release.
- Be Yourself: Never force something that isn't meant to be if it doesn't feel right coming from you, and live life as it brings you happiness. You might be amazed at your strength when not conforming and standing true to yourself.
Key Takeaways
Men tend to avoid scheduling regular health checkups, which leads to their health issues going unnoticed until it is too late. It is essential to set up a doctor's appointment every once in a while to detect health problems and start treatment. Men can take care of their health by protecting their skin from environmental dangers, such as pollution and UV rays, getting their prostate checked, limiting their consumption of alcohol, smoking fewer or no cigarettes, and taking proper nutrition with vitamin and fish oil capsules. Moreover, it is essential to exercise regularly to stay fit and take care of one’s mental health by having a healthy social circle.