Men’s Health Month: 5 things you can do this month to become healthier
The month of June is National Men’s Health Month. Men’s Health Month has been celebrated across the country since 1994 with screenings, health fairs, and outreach activities. Many companies have a “Wear Blue Friday” on the Friday before Father’s day in which they ask employees to wear blue in order to bring awareness to men’s health. According to menshealthnetwork.org, “There is an ongoing, increasing and predominantly silent crisis in the health and wellbeing of men. Due to a lack of awareness, poor health education, and culturally induced behavior patterns in their work and personal lives, men’s health and well-being are deteriorating steadily.” In order to increase awareness of men’s health, here are 5 things you can start this month to live a healthier life.
- Run
Running has many health benefits such as helping prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and some cancers. You don’t need to spend money on an expensive gym membership – you can always run outside. However, a good pair of running shoes is highly recommended and with a quick search on the internet you will be able to find a good pair of running shoes for under $120. If you need a little extra motivation to get running, check out a running club.
- Get Tested
Medical Screening test are a great way for men to stay on top of their health. According to webmd.com, screening can find diseases early before you have symptoms when they’re easier to treat. Some medical tests and screenings that every man should have are Diabetes, Body Mass Index, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Colonoscopy, Prostate Exam and Sexually Transmitted Infections. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health offers tests and screenings at our clinic. Click here to find a clinic that is closest to you.
- Food Safety
It’s the time of the year for family get-togethers and backyard BBQ’s. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from a foodborne illness and 128,000 are hospitalized. That is roughly 48 million people a year. Here at Cuyahoga County Board of Health we have compiled a guide on how to keep your family and you safe as you prepare your next meal. Some of the key tips include using a Probe thermometer, limiting bare hand contact with foods that do not need cooking, keeping raw food away from ready to eat food as much as possible and washing your hands.
- Diet
- Nearly 1,000 calories a day is attributed to added fats and sweeteners
- Americans consume on average 130 lbs of sugar every year
- Processed food makes up about 63% of our daily calories.
There is an old saying you are what you eat, and according to doctors that is very true. According to Dr. Axe Health, the rate of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer continues to rise and he believes that our bad diets have a lot to do with it.
Below are a few staggering facts about the way most of us eat.
It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to your diet. The Cleveland Clinic has compiled a list of 15 Healthy foods that you can work into your diet for a healthier you. Some of the items on that list include berries, flaxseeds, oatmeal, tomatoes, and dark chocolate.
- Vacation
Vacation more. According to a survey taken by Skift.com, 42 percent of Americans do not take any vacation days. There are many health benefits that come from taking vacations. According to a Huffington Post article, the health benefits of taking vacations include reducing stress, improving your mental health and it improving your relationships. So the next time you think about skipping your vacation, remember that you might be putting your health at risk!