Angela T. Moore: I May Be a Woman, But I Care About Men’s Health!
Angela Moore
| 3 min read
Why do I care about men’s health?
Because I have some really important men in my life, and I want them to live happy and healthy lives.
And you probably do too!
June is Men’s Health Month and it’s the perfect time to not only think about the special men in your life, but also to encourage them to take their health more seriously as well as support them during their health journey.
The Cleveland Clinic recently surveyed more than 500 American men ages 18-70 as part of a men’s health educational campaign and found that:
- Only three out of five men get annual physicals
- Over 40% of men only go to the doctor when they think they have a serious medical condition
- More than half of men said their health wasn’t something they talk about
Which means that without encouragement and support, our men may NOT take care of themselves!
Help the men in your life
How can you encourage the men in your life to take their health more seriously, as well as support their health journey?
Ask, encourage and follow-up!
Ask important health questions, encourage and support the necessary actions, and follow-up to make sure that the actions are completed.
Check out a few examples:
- Ask: “When are you scheduled for your next annual health exam?”
- If the answer indicates that it has been more than a year, then encourage your special guy to make an appointment, and follow-up to make sure that the appointment has been made and that they keep the appointment.
- Ask: “Are you up to date on all of your health-related screenings?”
- If the answer is “NO” or “I don’t know,” encourage your special guy by assisting them in determining what screenings such as dental, eye, and skin, they are due for, and follow-up to make sure they stay up to date.
- Ask: “What are you planning to eat today or during the week?”
- If the answer to the question is fast food, grabbing whatever, or no intention to eat at all, then encourage your special guy to prepare healthy snack and meal options, or offer to pick up some healthier food options and follow-up to make sure they actually ate the food that was prepared and/or provided.
- Ask: “Are you planning to exercise today?”
- If the answer to that question is an emphatic “no,” encourage your special guy to schedule in short bouts of physical activity throughout the day or make time for a structured workout, then follow-up by asking, “How much did you intentionally move today” or “How was your workout?”
- Ask: “When are you planning to take breaks throughout the day?”
- If the answer to this question is “not sure” or “I don’t know,” encourage your special guy to schedule in breaks throughout the day by taking mind breaks such as five to 10 minute walks outside and/or five to 10 minute meditation sessions, as well as snack and meal breaks. Then follow-up by asking, “How many breaks did you take today?”
Supporting the health journey
You may have noticed these health questions not only provoke thought but also lead to subsequent actions. Being healthy is a long-term and life-time journey that takes consistent action and commitment.
In order to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle, most people need motivation, encouragement and support. Unfortunately, men don’t often receive the motivation, encouragement and support they need to lead healthy and happy lives.
Let’s use Men’s Health Month as an opportunity to not only think about men’s health but to also encourage and support our men to live and be heathier this month and beyond.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
