Author: Riley Pearce
Director of Social Media
Being that it is Movember, a month of mo’s and men’s health, we thought it would be useful to give you our best actionable tips to care for yourself or the men in your life.
Men have long been seen as the stronger gender in the human race. Although science has proven that this isn’t always true, it has oversimplified men’s health, and put too much emphasis on the wrong things. Their health magazines are filled with ab workouts, weird tips to boost testosterone, and a couple of fancy watch ads.
Men’s health doesn’t deserve such a simple treatment. So here are 4 ways that you can start to take better care of your health or the health of the men in your life.
1. Take the Time to Figure Out the Fitness Routine that’s Best for You/Them
We can all be very quick to jump on whatever fitness bandwagon has made the headlines. But we have all been in the situation where we try it out and find that it is actually not enjoyable at all. Not even the promise of more daily physical activity and improved fitness can make you stick with it.
This is why trying a few different options is a great way to make fitness a part of your life. Try everything that’s out there and catches your eye. Along the way you’ll find things you really don’t like, and you’ll find something that you absolutely love! Having fun is one of the best ways to increase the probability of sticking with something.
2. Get Educated on Men’s Nutrition
There is way more to men’s nutrition than just chugging protein shakes and eating steaks. In fact men’s nutrition is just as complex and important as women’s nutrition, despite what the magazine articles tell you.
Men, just like women, should be getting their energy/fuel from a variety of sources. These should be whole food sources, with an emphasis on high quality protein, consuming 0.8 – 1.8g of protein for every kilogram of bodyweight.
Men should also be including high fiber, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats in their diet. Men are statistically at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. An easy way to keep your risk of developing CVD is by consuming the type of diet that doesn’t put too much stress on the body and the heart.
3. Check your alcohol consumption
Although we are not supporters of gender-based stereotypes, statistically more men are more likely to be heavy drinkers. Alcohol is deeply woven into social interactions, but the quantity of alcohol consumed can be harmful.
It is well known that alcohol has inflammatory effects on the body. Beer has also been shown to promote visceral adiposity (think beer belly). Although the beer belly has gained popularity in the age of the dad bod, science has also shown us that the ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference is an easy indicator of risk for health complications.
4. Men Need More Physical Touch
In an article from the New York Times, they report on a study that shows just how important physical touch is to men. This is not your typical exercise of nutrition fitness tip, but its value to a man’s overall health is critical.
In fact, simple platonic touch has been shown to help lower stress levels, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Again, as men are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, the simple act of platonic touch can be a free and easy way to improve their help.
This month (and every month) we should be focusing on helping keep those man-colds away, and having the men in our lives focused on their long-term health. It is so easy to fall into comfortable patterns, and fast-food options. If we can collectively promote a more balanced and supportive approach to men’s health, we can enjoy the company fathers, brothers, grandfathers, friends, and partners for a very long time.
