We all want our friends and loved ones to live long, happy lives. We celebrated the men that mean so much to us by participating in National Men’s Health Month. This event occurs every June to raise awareness of the importance healthy living. The staff of Ferguson Roofing reserved a day to wear blue and distribute care packages to fellow employees. The bundle included items specifically recommended for the male anatomy like bananas and dried blueberries.
There are many great ways that men can enhance their overall well-being beyond healthy eating and being more active.
Regular check-ups: Regular doctor visits are a preventative measure for diagnosing issues before they become a problem. Taking into account your health, age, family history and lifestyle are important factors when determining how often you should see a doctor.
Be aware of “your numbers”: Measuring blood-pressure, cholesterol level and weight provide general indicators of relative health. Waist-to-hip ratio and fasting glucose levels become much more important over the age of 40. Coronary CT scans are recommended for men over the age of 50, particularly if there is a family history of heart disease.
Notice symptoms: Changes in normal patterns, such as shortness of breath, excessive thirst, chest pains, fatigue, blurred vision or trouble with urination are indications that it’s time to see a doctor. The sooner you recognize possible symptoms, the more likely the cause can be effectively addressed.
Relax: Stress is a major factor in health complications, particularly for men in the 30-50 age range. Learning how to manage stress can have enormous health benefits. Meditation, yoga and breathing techniques in general have a natural relaxation effect on the body. Social interaction, more movement and doing more of your favorite hobbies are good techniques for stress reduction.
Get good sleep: Getting restful sleep is extraordinarily important from brain and body function as well as maintaining positive mental health. Lack of sleep can affect our ability to drive or think clearly. It can also have a significantly negative impact on the immune system. If you have difficulty sleeping, your primary care physician may be able to help you find a sleep specialist to determine if you have a sleeping disorder.
Making a conscious effort every day to focus on your health can go a long way to improve your quality of life and lengthen your life-expectancy. Do your best to support and encourage the positive habits of those around you along with pursuing your own health goals.