We celebrate and acknowledge many events in June, and Men’s Health Month is no exception. Recognized as early as 1994 Men’s Health awareness month was established to help educate men, boys, and their families about the importance of physical health, mental health, and social connection. According to Canadian statistics for men, 29% are obese, 82% do not meet physical activity guidelines, 76% don’t eat healthy food, and 35% don’t get enough sleep.[1]
During the month of June, men of all ages are encouraged to set goals for their overall health and well-being, and to take steps to achieve these goals. [2]
Here are some ideas for what you can do to encourage and support healthy choices during the month of Men’s Health:
- Incorporate healthy and nutritious meals.
- Ideas can include:
- Shop for whole foods like lean protein and veggies.
- Cook a new meal.
- Find healthier alternatives when fast food is the only option.
- Ideas can include:
- Exercise or play sports.
- Ideas can include:
- Hire a personal trainer to create workout plan for you.
- Join a community sports team, such as your local softball league or disc golf club.
- Play with your kids at a park.
- Ideas can include:
- Enjoy the outdoors.
- Ideas can include:
- Plan a camping trip with friends and/or family.
- Read a good book on your porch.
- Take a walk outside during your lunch break.
- Ideas can include:
- Spend time with friends and loved ones.
- Ideas can include:
- Plan a games night.
- Go out for dinner and drinks.
- Attend a live show/concert.
- Ideas can include:
- Check in with a trusted individual about stressors and other mental health topics.[3]
- Ideas can include:
- Talk to a loved one.Find a therapist/physiologist.
- Reach out to your benefits contact to see if they offer an Employee and Family Assistance Program for additional resources.
- Ideas can include:
On average, women are more likely to seek out preventative care services than men between the ages of 15-65. In addition, men are also more susceptible to certain chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.[4]
To take proactive steps towards one’s overall health for years to come, reference the following links below:
The Importance of Men’s Health Month | Brown University Health
Don’t Change Much – Easy Health Tips For Guys
These sources give advice and checklists related to age-appropriate health screenings.
Mental health has been a trending topic over the years, which also plays a role in men’s overall health. Undiagnosed and untreated mood disorders in younger men affect risk-taking behaviours as well as use and abuse of substances.[5] This can also affect men’s anxiety and cause depression when not treated.
While more men are being educated on their mental and physical health, there is still a stigma regarding social norms and masculinity when it comes to reaching out for help. This is especially difficult when the individual is struggling with personal battles.
One step that men can take is to talk to a trusted source. This can be a co-worker, a friend, a spouse, or a family member. Speaking about what is going on can make a huge difference by lightening the mental load. It also helps to feel like someone else understands what you are going through.[6]
While these tips are stepping stones in promoting men’s health, we encourage you to take further small steps toward life-long lifestyle changes to minimize health risks, decrease the stigma in asking for help, and enjoy what life has to offer with friends and loved ones.
[1] Men’s Health Week – Canada.ca
[2] The Importance of Men’s Health Month | Brown University Health
[3] June is Men’s Health Month – Prairie Mountain Health
[4] Mars vs. Venus: The Gender Gap in Health – Harvard Health Publishing – Harvard Health
[5] The Importance of Men’s Health Month | Brown University Health