Father’s Day is fast approaching. But before we shower our dads, husbands and brothers with ties and power tools, let’s take a quick time-out to celebrate Men’s Health Week.
Men’s Health Week was created to raise awareness of health issues and preventive measures for men and boys of all ages. Here are some helpful tips to share with the special man in your life (or yourself!):
Men’s health tips:
- Screenings: Your kids think you’re a superhero (and rightfully so), but that doesn’t mean you’re impervious to health problems. Men of all ages should have a yearly physical, including screenings for blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. After age 50, men should see their doctor for an annual prostate exam (including PSA test) and schedule a colonoscopy every 5-10 years.
- Daily exercise: Running to and from meetings doesn’t count. Men need at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily. Switch it up – try different forms of exercise such as tennis or martial arts.
- Diet: Men are notoriously neglectful of fruits and vegetables – only 4% of the male population admits to eating the recommended 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Dads, it’s time to change your diet – include more richly colored fruits and veggies on your plate – like tomatoes, sweet potatoes and pomegranates. (Bonus – tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that may support prostate health.)
- Stress relief: The weight of the world may be on your shoulders, but every once in awhile you need to rest – yes, even men need to stop and smell the roses. Consider taking a yoga class (it’s not just for women!) or finding a relaxing hobby, such as fishing or painting. Along with other healthy lifestyle habits mentioned above, these relaxing activities can help stave off the stresses of daily life, in turn supporting overall health.