June is Men’s Health Month

June is Men’s Health Month

June is Men’s Health Month with a purpose of bringing attention to preventable health problems that men and boys can face.

Having a month dedicated to men’s health gives health care providers, media and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to see their health care provider for regular medical advice and to assist with early detection of disease or injury.

Healthy food choices: making healthy choices for meals and snacks can have a big impact on your overall health.  Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, high-fibre foods and lean sources of protein, like fish.  Limit food choices that are high in saturated fat and sodium.

Get moving: exercise helps to control weight.  It will also decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke.   When choosing activities make sure it is something you enjoy to increase your chances of sticking with it.  All physical activity will benefit your health.  Something as little as walking 150 minutes a week (taking a 30-minute walk 5 times a week) will prove beneficial to your overall health.

Don’t smoke: smoking has proven short- and long-term negative health effects like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease, erectile dysfunction and cancer, just to name a few.  If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your health care provider to help you quit. There are different nicotine replacement therapies available to aid people during the process of kicking the habit.  Start discussing what the best option is for you to be successful in quitting smoking.

Mental wellness: Mental well being is as important as your physical well being.  Stress can affect your lifestyle and immune system.  It is essential to learn how to deal with stress in a healthy way.  Deep breathing, meditation, working out, yoga, walking or talking to someone you know can help alleviate some of these pressures and reduce the stress you are under.

Visit your doctor or nurse practitioner: you don’t have to wait until something is wrong, you can see your health care provider to discuss ways of preventing health problems too.  Follow recommendations to prevent or treat health concerns such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes.  Discuss when you should receive prostate exams.

Proactive approach: Discuss when you should have cancer screenings, immunizations such as an annual flu shot or tetanus & diphtheria booster and other health evaluations.  Ensure you are doing testicle self-exams and monitoring your skin for any changes in existing moles or the development of new moles.  Is it time for a colorectal exam?  How is your bone health?   Do you have high blood pressure?  How about diabetes, what is your blood sugar?

Know your business, know your health.   Take action to reduce health risks include making healthy lifestyle choices.

For programs related to health promotion and disease prevention, check out our monthly calendar on our website at www.mushkiki.com or follow us on Facebook where we add posters of upcoming programs and also posted is our monthly calendar for the programs department.