Good health is essential for everyone, but men are most prone to neglecting their health. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, men are 22 percent more likely than women to ignore high cholesterol tests, increasing the risk of hospitalization for congestive heart failure. They are also 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized long-term for diabetes complications and 24 percent more likely to contract severe pneumonia that could have been avoided with a flu vaccine.
Why don’t more men make their health a priority? Several factors may be to blame. For instance, many men don’t feel the need to take preventative measures if they “feel fine.” The fear of finding something wrong, preferring at-home remedies, and lacking health insurance may also contribute to neglectful health practices in men.
If you are a man ready to reprioritize your health, follow these four easy steps to help you live your best, longest, healthiest life.
Be More Active
Starting a formal exercise regimen is quite challenging for many men. Fortunately, it’s easy to incorporate physical activity into your daily life. Here’s how:
- Park in the back of the parking lot for a longer walk into the building.
- Once inside, take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Get a sit/stand desk for your office.
- Take a walk on your lunch break.
- Go on a family hike or bike ride instead of watching a movie.
Get Enough Sleep
Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Getting enough rest isn’t just about having the energy to make it through the day—it also offers these health benefits:
- Lower your risk for diabetes and heart disease.
- Boost your immune system.
- Improve your mood and mental health.
- Increases your reaction time to help prevent injuries and accidents.
Make Healthy Diet Swaps
Having a good diet goes hand-in-hand with being more physically active. Luckily, you have plenty of options for eating healthy. Try these simple swaps to improve your health without losing out on flavor:
- Swap out salty chips and guacamole for low-sodium pita chips and salsa.
- Swap out sugary fruit juice for a fiber-rich fruit smoothie.
- Swap out sugary breakfast cereal for lightly sweetened oatmeal.
- Swap out full-fat sour cream for protein-rich Greek yogurt.
Prioritize Preventative Screenings
Many of the health concerns men are susceptible to are preventable, and early detection is the key. So don’t wait until something is wrong to see the doctor—take action now to protect your health!
At Total Point Urgent Care, we can help you stay healthy with physical exams, cardiovascular screenings, STD tests, immunizations, health counseling, blood tests, and more. Then, when unexpected, non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses occur, we can get you on the mend for a fraction of the cost of visiting the emergency room. For more information, please contact us online or visit one of our nine locations in Texas today.
