The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health concerns and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men in the United States, on average, die 5 years earlier than women. Men also die at higher rates from the three leading causes of death - heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries. Throughout the entire month of June healthcare providers, media, family, and friends come together to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. Anchored by a Congressional health education program, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and other health education and outreach activities. The entire month of June is focused on educating men and boys on different aspects of their health that need to be focused on. This includes the following:
Disease
Injury
Fitness
Nutrition
Preventable health problems
The more knowledgeable men and boys are about their health, the better chances they have of preventing the issue or catching the problem early. They have a chance to learn more about conditions that commonly impact men, find out who to talk to about certain health concerns, and ultimately feel more comfortable talking about what they are experiencing {this includes their thoughts and feelings!}. According to The BetterPT Blog, the best tool a person can use on their health is knowledge. This knowledge can come from a variety of sources, but as long as they are reputable sources, it will be helpful. Reputable sources include:
Men that have dealt with conditions and scenarios before
Medical professionals (doctors, physical therapists, nutrition experts, exercise trainers)
Accredited Internet resources (news articles, reports, medical websites, .org or .gov sites)
Men’s Health Month is not the only time of year when men and boys should focus on these aspects of their health. However, it is a great reminder to refocus! With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, it may have been difficult to go to the gym or stick with a healthy diet due to various limitations and scarce availability at local grocery stores. The spread of the Coronavirus has changed life for millions of people, but it is essential that everyone continue to take care of themselves – in June and beyond. It is necessary that individuals focus on the way they care for themselves and ultimately adjust their routines, as needed. For example, continue to seek medical care and consider making use of Telehealth appointments! Instead of going into the doctor’s offices for your annual appointment or for everyday routine appointments, men can stay comfortable at home and use these virtual sessions to give them the all of the necessary information.
According to Better Pt Blog, fitness is key when it comes to overall wellness. Men’s health depends on many factors. Without a good diet and activity level, it can be difficult to make progress. Even though restaurants, gyms, and medical offices are beginning to slowly open again across the country, it would be wise to ease back into previous routines, while also creating new ones. Some helpful tips to consider:
Read nutrition labels and gain information on what is going into your body.
Gradually change your exercise routine and mix up what exercises you choose to do.
Ease into your exercise routines - you can shock your body and make it harder to keep up with the changes.
Find a workout buddy for support.
STAY MOTIVATED!
How can you be a part of the change??
Many men and women are currently working from home, so the traditional act of wearing a blue ribbon to show support for men and their health may not be very visible. As an alternative, wear blue throughout the month in different ways, such as…
Wearing a blue shirt, hat, or pair of pants
Utilize a car logo which represents Men’s Health Month
Tie a blue ribbon around your mailbox
Make a social media post about Men's Health Month
Encourage all male you know to get their regular checkups and maintain a healthy lifestyle!
While we continue to promote the awareness of men’s health this month, we cannot ignore the importance of men’s mental health! Take care of your mind and body through attending those routine doctor appointments and speaking up if something feels off. There is no shame in reaching out for guidance and support. No one can do this on their own!