The month of June is officially Men’s Health Awareness Month and there are many reasons to applaud all the various actions men are taking to better their health and become more active in our adult lives. We all know how mundane our schedules can be working to balance all aspects of life. For many that balance can include career(s), fatherhood, dating life, entrepreneurship, marriage, and more importantly overall health & wellness.

On the bright-side men have become increasingly healthier than previous generations, although the advent of processed foods and the availability of more unhealthy options plus sedentary lifestyles has slowed the positive trend. The top 3 causes of death for American men are Heart-Disease, Cancer, and Accidental/Unintentional Injuries… all lifestyle diseases. These are diseases we invariably can control via the decisions we make with what we put on and in our bodies.

Sedentary behavior- behavior as any activity involving sitting, reclining, or lying down that has a very low energy expenditure.

Lifestyle disease- a medical condition or disorder regarded as being associated with the way in which a person lives, such as heart disease or obesity.

 

Therefore, let’s make this a public call to action! Any and all men who catch wind of this article test out some of the “5 Simple Ways to Become More Healthy and Active”:

1. Protect Your Heart- Make a list of 5 healthy foods and decisions you always wanted to do then build those into your daily routine. Suggestions vary from drinking a gallon+ of water daily, trying produce foods over process ones, make your meals more colorful, cook in more than you eat out, and walk after every meal. These are great foundational ways to get the ball rolling!
2. Reduce Bad Habits within High-Risk Activities- Living life on the edge is exhilarating yet sometimes dangerous. If you have dare-devil pumping through your veins make sure you take preventive measures to uphold your safety…as well as hospital bills. Some of these can include wearing a helmet, safety gear while playing sports or hunting, or even reading instructions carefully.
3. Get up and Go: Sedentary lifestyles are dominating how our lives are defined in 2019. Close to 40% of men over the age of 20 suffer from obesity which is a direct indicator of sedentary living. Additionally, the state of our mental health is a by-product of how we treat our bodies. It doesn’t take a gym membership to be active and something as simple as walking 30 minutes a day will make a huge difference in your longevity. If you live close to a grocery store try walking to it instead of driving, go on a walk after every meal, don’t eat once the sunsets, or plan your hobbies around things that intentionally cause you to move.
4. Find a Therapist- Mental wellness is a huge topic in our society and rightfully so! Our mental and emotional states are important drivers in how we interpret and perceive things that happen to us in our lives. Traditionally, it has been taboo for men to seek therapy due to fear, lack of resources, knowledge, and awareness but now we see more options that fit the palate of what men deem as comfortable. We suggest you do some intentional research and find a therapist that fits your needs. A few things to remember, everyone has something they are dealing with and it is completely normal, be vulnerable with self, and being uncomfortable is ok when growth is the ultimate goal!
5. Know Your Health Status- The saying goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know” which is true but you can’t willingly keep yourself in the unknown when you will be impacted the most. Admittedly oxymoronic, we are growing unhealthier and going to the doctor less in our society. It’s important to note correlation doesn’t equal causation as fewer people are going to the doctor due to many factors. Knowing the status of your total well-being is highly essential and awareness is the first step to preventing certain ailments as well as giving you a baseline on the health spectrum.
6. Bonus: Make whatever you do FUN and S.M.A.R.T. (Specific. Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-based)

Now that you have a list of tangible ways to become more active and healthy, take charge today! Mark your progress and see how you do. If you want to update #COSIGN on how well you’re doing tap in with our social media page or leave a message in the comment section below!