Elevate Your Health During Men’s Health Month

June is Men’s Health Month – a time dedicated to promoting the well-being of men and boys alike! On average, men have shorter lifespans than women due to a mix of biological, social, and behavioral factors. Men are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors, less likely to visit doctors regularly, and often delay seeking medical help until an issue becomes severe. In honor of Men’s Health Month, let’s look at some of the most common health challenges faced by men, as well as what we can do to address them!

Health Challenges to Watch Out For:

Cardiovascular Disease – Men are at greater risk of heart disease than women, and it remains the leading cause of death for men.
Cancer – There are certain cancers, such as prostate and testicular cancer which are specific to men.
Mental Health – According to CDC, the suicide rate among men is approximately four times higher than that of women.
Diabetes – Men face a higher risk of type 2 diabetes compared to women.

Healthy Habits to Practice:

Regular Exercise – Men should prioritize making time for exercise! The Department of Health and Human Services recommend that adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity every week. Similarly, CDC recommends that children aged 3 to 5 stay active throughout the day, while those aged 6 to 14 engage in 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
- How Can Your Motivation Alliance Portal Help? If your portal has Les Mills, log into your account to try one of the on-demand classes! With a diverse range of classes from cycling to strength training to stretching, Les Mills offers a variety of options to keep you motivated and moving.

Regular Check-Ups – Having regular checkups are one of the most important things men can do to keep track of their health. Annual physical exams and screening for conditions like high-blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and cancer are crucial.
- How Can Your Motivation Alliance Portal Help? The Preventive Care Checklist is a handy tool to keep track of all your screenings, exams, and more. Use it to mark off what you’ve already completed as well as see what you may need to make an appointment for soon!

Mental Health Matters – Open conversations about mental health with friends, family, and colleagues can help break the stigma surrounding it. Share resources and support each other in seeking professional help if needed. Life may not always be easy, but you are not alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out for a helping hand or a listening ear.
- How Can Your Motivation Alliance Portal Help? Mindfulness practices can be a great way to help manage your stress, reduce anxiety, and overall improve your mental health. Your Motivation Alliance portal includes mindfulness practices from 5 to 20 minutes in length, are either audio-only or have a relaxing visual of nature, and include various kinds of intentions. Try one out today!

Healthy Eating Habits – A balanced diet plays an important role in maintaining good health. Challenge yourself to adopt healthier eating habits by incorporating more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains into your diet. Cooking at home and experimenting with new, healthy recipes can make eating more enjoyable. Always remember, the healthiest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!
- How Can Your Motivation Alliance Portal Help? Check out your portal’s recipe library for healthy recipes! You can filter by any preferences you and your family have to easily find a recipe that will work for everyone. To help yourself stay on track, use the Healthy Eating Checklist – a quick and easy way to assess how you ate today.

Set Personal Health Goals – Men’s Health Month is a perfect opportunity to set personal health goals. Whether it’s losing weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption or improving sleeping habits; setting specific and achievable goals can be the first step in changing your life for the better.
- How Can Your Motivation Alliance Portal Help? Check out Motivation Alliance’s Interactive Learning Programs to learn more about making a healthy change. These programs cover a wide range of topics including going tobacco free, weight management, sleep, and more!

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Resources

Men’s Health Month 2024 | Office of Minority Health. (n.d.). Minorityhealth.hhs.gov. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/mens-health-month-2024
‌Men – Healthy People 2030 | health.gov. (n.d.). Health.gov. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/men
O’Hara, J. (2024, May 30). How exercise benefits the body and mind. Mayo Clinic. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/parenting/how-exercise-benefits-the-body-and-mind/
‌Mayo Clinic. (2023, January 14). What you need to know about exercise and chronic disease. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise-and-chronic-disease/art-20046049
Men’s health: Checkups, screenings key. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic Health System. Retrieved June 13, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/mens-health-checkups-and-screenings-are-key
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 8). Facts about suicide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html
CDC. (2024, May 13). National Diabetes Statistics Report. Diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html
Mayo Clinic. (2022, August 25). Heart disease. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118
‌U.S. Cancer Statistics: Prostate Cancer Stat Bite | CDC. (2021, June 10). https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uscs/about/stat-bites/stat-bite-prostate.htm
Mayo Clinic. (2022, December 14). Prostate cancer – symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic; Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353087
‌Mayo Clinic. (2022, October 21). Testicular Cancer – Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/testicular-cancer-care/symptoms-causes/syc-20352986

‌‌‌Disclaimer

We want you to be well and to live your best life. The content in this blog is provided for the purposes to educate and entertain you: our very important reader. It is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for medical advice from a trained healthcare professional.

If you have a medical condition or are under the care of a medical provider, please always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional before undertaking a new health care regimen. To that point, never disregard medical advice or delay treatment for a medical condition because of something you read on this site.

Listen to your care providers as they know you and your condition best. Thank you for reading!

The Team at BSDI