The week leading up to Father’s Day is Men’s Health Week—a time to inspire men to pay more attention to their health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 percent of men 18 and older are in fair or poor health (2012).
What can men do to be healthier? For men, the three leading causes of death are heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries.
The CDC recommends that men get moving, eat healthy, decrease stress, quit tobacco, get better sleep and see a doctor.
When it comes to exercise, adults need at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, and muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week that works major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms). If you are interested in starting an exercise program, visit our website and view Dr. Jessica Stumbo’s presentation.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult. Small changes can go a long way. Drinking more water and decreasing use of alcohol can make a big difference. Click here for more information from a UofL Physicians nutritionist.
Lowering your stress doesn’t have to be hard. For tips on building a tool to cope with stress, click here.
Quitting tobacco can be a hard task, but it is doable. Quitting has immediate health benefits and lowers an individual’s risk of heart disease, lung disease, cancer and many other health issues. Smokefree.gov has great resources for people wanting to quit. And talking to your primary care doctor is also important. They can help you tailor a plan specific to you.
Many people don’t know the impact that sleep has on our health. For tips for a better night’s sleep, click here.
Now it’s time for you to make that doctor’s appointment you keep putting off. Check-ups are important because not every illness has noticeable symptoms. Building a relationship with your doctor helps you.
If you need a physician, find one here.
Making small lifestyle changes can help improve your health immensely. Don’t feel like you have to tackle all health issues at once. Make small goals and work towards those. Talk to your doctor about the best way embark on your health journey.
