This is an open letter to the men in my life:
June is Men’s Health Month.
June is Men’s Health Month. It’s celebrated across the country with a variety of preventative screenings, health fairs, and other education and outreach events. But why the need for an entire month devoted to your health? Because most of you are stubborn.
A large number of men don’t actively engage in preventative health or the healthcare system early in life. And the older you guys get, the less likely you are to get involved. I hear your excuses. You’re too busy. It’s too expensive. You feel fine. Or the worst of all, “I don’t get sick.”
I get it. You are big, strong and invincible. I’m swooning…not. Your reticence to seek health care is dangerous. And a huge turn-off.
Heart disease, cancers, unintentional injuries, diabetes, suicide and stroke are some of the top causes of death for men. Many of these have early signs and symptoms, and can be prevented and treated if caught early. But society has traditionally expected boys to be tough and ignore pain. So you push through symptoms and hide your feelings, thinking this makes you more of a man. Unfortunately, that just makes you more likely to die from these conditions. In fact, the Men’s Health Caucus reports you will live about five years less than me. And that makes me sad. Because I’m pretty attached to a lot of you.
As a woman, the CDC says I’m 100% more likely to visit the doctor for an annual exam or preventative service than you. And the New York Times Magazine tells me that by the age of 100, women will outnumber men eight to one. There are going to be a lot of lonely women in the old folk’s home, and a handful of extremely happy and worn out men. Wouldn’t you like to be one of them?
What can you do to make your health a priority and keep the ladies in your life from nagging you?
Man up and Get to the Doctor.
Don’t miss your regular check-ups and screenings. A recent survey found that 25% of men who were sick or in pain would wait as long as possible to see a doctor (Is there a prize you are trying to win?) and 17 percent would wait at least a week after the first onset of illness. If you have signs and symptoms of some of the most common diseases and illnesses, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, excessive thirst, urination problems, fevers, weight loss, numbness or persistent headaches, (basically anything that causes you to not feel like you) get your butt to the doctor. And preventative medicine? It prevents things! Keep up with your vaccines, your annual physical, and screenings like a colonoscopy. They’re important. Just because you feel well doesn’t mean that you are well.
Physical activity reduces your chance for many illnesses and diseases. It’s good for the body and the mind. Studies show that adults need at least two and a half hours of moderate intense aerobic activity every week and muscle strengthening activities two or more days a week. Feeling tense or sluggish? Regular exercise, as little as 20 minutes a day, can improve your mood and energy level, decrease stress and boost brainpower.
Make Healthy Food Choices.
Belly up to the produce section of your local farmer’s market or grocery store and stock up on a variety of fruits and vegetables. Consume food and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt and fat in moderation. These unhealthy foods should be an extremely limited part of your diet. They might taste really good, but they are slowly killing you. Choose healthier alternatives for more snacks and meals and you’ll live to eat another day.
Find a Healthy Weight and Keep it There.
This goes along with the exercise and food choices. We all pack on a few extra pounds as we get older. It’s the nature of the old age beast. But know your BMI and keep an eye on it. If you’re on the last setting of your expandable waistband, it’s probably time to get some exercise, review your diet and make an appointment with your doctor.
Drink Alcohol in Moderation.
What exactly is moderation? Two drinks per day for men under the age of 65, and just one drink a day for men 65 and older. Some studies indicate health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, though those may not help all who choose to imbibe. In some cases, it may be safer to avoid alcohol entirely and the positives may not outweigh the risks. But if you’re going to drink? Don’t drive. Male drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes are almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. And if you survive, nobody looks good in prison orange.
Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco.
There aren’t many things that can have such instantaneous and long term benefits as giving up tobacco, resulting in a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and lung disease. The CDC says that smoking tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, yet 20.5 percent of men are still smoking. You’re smoking yourself into an early grave, and it’s expensive. So why are you still lighting up?
Manage and Tame Stress.
A lot of the men in my life are workaholics and seem to thrive on stress. Note the word “seem.” You aren’t thriving. Stress leads to higher blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, accelerated risk for prostate cancer and even erectile dysfunction. And though ED won’t kill you, it might make you more stressed! Stress and anxiety also play a big part in depression, and many men resist getting help for depression or don’t recognize the signs. Men’s Health Network reports that men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women, attributing much of the blame to undiagnosed depression. Play hooky. Stop checking your email at home or kick off early now and again. And those of you with umpteen weeks of accumulated vacation days? You aren’t heroic. No one dies saying they wish they’d worked more.
Get Some Rest.
I see you up late at night on Facebook even though you have to be up at 7 a.m. So how are you getting the National Sleep Foundation’s recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night that your body requires to stay healthy? Lack of proper rest is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and depression as well as accidents involving motor vehicles and machinery. So power down and hop under the covers. You’ll gain that extra time on the back end.
Old habits die hard, but so do men who don’t take care of themselves.
I love you, and I need you in my life. You guide me, amuse me, comfort me and challenge me. I’ve gotten used to having you around. I get the feeling you like being around as well. Don’t be a statistic. Real men do admit when something isn’t right. Real men do go to the doctor. And real men take care of themselves. It’s sexy. It’s smart. And you’ll likely live a longer, healthier life.
Love,
Katie