Men's Health Month: How can we take action?

Men will die on average 4.5 years earlier than women., and for reasons that are largely preventable. This means that it doesn’t have to be that way: we can all take action to live healthier, happier and longer lives.

How can we take action? Here are our top 5 things to know and do:

 

1. Stay Connected - Spend time with people who make you feel good. 

Stay connected. Your mates are important and spending time with them is good for you. Catch up regularly, check in and make time.

 

2. Talk more. 

You don't need to be an expert and you don't have to be the sole solution, but being there for someone, listening and giving your time can be life-saving. 

Men sometimes aren’t comfortable reaching out and opening up about life’s challenges – or they think they’ll be burdening their friends if they do.

You can’t fix someone else’s problems, but you can be there for them. Sometimes listening is the most helpful thing you can do. You won’t make things worse by asking someone how they’re doing.

 

3. Know the numbers. 

At 50, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer and whether it's right for you to have a PSA test. If you are of African or Caribbean descent or have a father or brother with prostate cancer, you should be having this conversation at 45. 

Know your numbers, know your risk, talk to your doctor.

 

4. Know thy nuts. Simple. 

Get to know what's normal for your testicle. Give them a check regularly and go to the doctor if something doesn't feel right. 

 

5. Move, more. 

Add more activity to your day. Do more of what makes you feel good. Take a walking meeting. Park further away from the station. Get off the bus a stop or two earlier. Instead of the lift, take the stairs. Cycle to work instead of driving.