This week marks International Men’s Health Week. This is an opportunity to bring awareness to how men and their partners, families and loved ones can make a difference. In Australia and across the globe, the state of men’s health is generally poorer than that of females.
Men’s Health Week provides a platform for challenging and debating key issues in men’s health and to raise the profile of men, their health outcomes and health needs around the country each June.
– Menshealthweek.org.au
Health – in all its forms – is at the forefront of our retreat’s purpose, principles and practices. We want to take this week as an opportunity to highlight some ways in which men can take control of and improve their health.
Stay active
Exercise and movement is a huge influencing factor in your overall health. If you are not naturally inclined to exercise regularly, or are short on time due to work and family commitments, even as little as 15 minutes a day can make a difference.
Manage your stress levels
Ensure that you make time for activities that you enjoy and get an adequate amount of sleep. Experts recommend 7 – 9 hours of sleep per night. The quality of sleep makes a huge difference to whether you feel energised in the morning, even if you are getting the recommended number of hours. Practising good sleep hygiene is just as important as getting an earlier night.
Stepping away and taking a break from your day-to-day routine is also helpful to mentally refresh. Getting out in nature is a great way to disconnect for a while and reap a multitude of benefits for your mind and body, such as:
- Reducing blood pressure
- Easing muscle tension
- Lowering your heart rate
- Decreasing the production of stress hormones
Be proactive and seek help
Men reportedly visit general practitioners less frequently than women, even though more males die through every stage of life. If you are feeling unwell or notice unusual and concerning symptoms, be proactive in seeking help. Whether this is medical assistance or advice from friends, family or coworkers, know that seeking help is not a sign of weakness and could potentially be life-saving.
Regular checkups and screenings, regardless of whether you are experiencing any concerning symptoms, are also important to detect disease in the early stages. Speak to your doctor about what procedures are right for you.
Eat a nourishing diet
Food is the fuel that keeps your body moving, functioning and alive. Feeding your body a high-quality, nutrient-rich diet is key for optimal health and has the power to transform your mental and physical wellbeing and ward off disease. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a healthy diet for men includes:
- At least 2 cups of fruits and 2½ cups of vegetables each day for vitamins, minerals, fibre and phytochemicals.
- Whole grains. Eat at least half of all grains as whole grains each day. Replace refined grains with whole-grain bread, cereal, pasta, brown rice or oats.
- Anywhere from 25 to 34 grams of fibre per day for younger men; 28 grams of fibre per day for men older than 50.
- Two to three servings of fish per week.
- Unsaturated fats such as oils, nuts and oil-based salad dressings in place of saturated fats such as full-fat dairy foods, butter and high-fat sweets.
- 3,400 milligrams a day of potassium from fruits, vegetables, fish and dairy.
Make mindful decisions
Fastening your seatbelt, wearing a helmet, drinking in excess – these are all decisions that can directly impact your mortality. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), men are more likely to engage in risky behaviours and die prematurely. Avoiding these choices, whether they’re a lifestyle choice or an impulse decision, can make the difference between life and death.
To anyone reading this article – male or female – we encourage you to seek more information about men’s health and how you can help yourself or others. Visit the link below for more information about Men’s Health Week:
https://www.menshealthweek.org.au/
At Eden, we provide a safe and welcoming environment to take care of and transform your health. From our daily activities to our nourishing dining menu and incredible health experts available for consultation, we provide everything you need for long-lasting health. To discover if a stay at Eden is right for you, click here to submit an enquiry and our friendly retreat consultants will be in touch.
