3 Health habits every man should adopt
Habits are the futuristic lifeblood of what determines our overall health. Every day, we all have certain habits or our usual way of behaving that get repeated over and over again.
When it comes to men’s health, it’s the small day-in and day-out habits that can make or break how a man physically and mentally feels throughout their life. When good health habits are adopted, life is generally good. However, men who dismiss healthy habits will, at some point, have a rude awakening when they start developing chronic diseases, aches and pains or experiencing low testosterone and erectile dysfunction, often a result of practicing poor health habits.
It’s no secret that certain habits – smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, avoiding exercise – can be harmful to health. Fortunately, it’s never too late to make changes.
Changes almost always involve picking up new, health-affirming habits that enhance a man’s health and well-being
For men, there are certain habits that, when practiced, can make a difference in their lives. Here are three healthy habits men should consider adopting today:
- Trust your doctor
Men’s health, or lack thereof, is a real issue. Unfortunately, many men neglect their health by avoiding going to a doctor until a health issues arises and they must see one. Depending on the diagnosis, it may be too late for the doctor to be of much help.
Being neglectful puts men’s health at risk. This behavior only sets them up for advanced cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or other chronic conditions that could have been avoided if only they had adopted seeing a doctor for wellness visits, preventative health screenings, and having blood drawn for monitoring important and valuable information on overall health status.
First and foremost, men need to see their doctor as their ally. Doctors sincerely want to help and support men in their healthcare decisions. When men embrace the habit of regular healthcare appointments, that’s when real improvements and healthy progress happens.
- Maintain a strong social network
Everyone needs friends, including men. From young men to older, retired men, having close friends is one way to dodge depression, a condition often undiagnosed in men.
Developing a social network of close friends is not always easy for men. Many men may lack social skills or be more introverted in meeting new friends. But taking steps and making it a habit to change the approach will significantly impact a man’s life. That’s because building positive friendships with other men who share similar interests has proven to boost mood, connectedness, and confidence and improves health.
Building these friendships starts by being proactive. For instance, men who enjoy sports could join a sports team. For men who like to discuss meaningful literature, joining a men’s book club can be a good decision. Or many churches or fraternal organizations that do philanthropy work have men’s groups that meet regularly.
To build a friends network, men should habitually join or become active in organizations or activities they strongly like that immerse them with other like-minded men.
- Avoid sitting too much
Sitting long hours at work and then sitting even more hours in an easy chair at home will ruin anyone’s health. Men should take note. Many of the jobs heavily occupied by men – truck drivers, transit drivers, and conductors – can shorten a man’s lifespan. Men, who sit for long stretches each day, are twice as likely to develop heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia.
Men can break this habit by taking time throughout the day to get up every 30 minutes and move for at least 5 minutes. The movement might include walking, high steps in place, jumping rope, jumping jacks, stretching, or even using the stairs instead of the elevator; it all adds up.
Besides better health and feeling more energetic, men who move frequently will have more vitality, alertness, and sexual vigor than ever.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.