June marks National Men’s Health Month, and if you hadn’t noticed, we’re a men’s health clinic. We know we normally deal with below-the-belt issues, but your whole health is important. Plus, heart health, oral health, mental health and many other factors can affect your sexual performance.
Without further ado, here are some tips to help you put your health first.
Pay attention to what you put in your mouth
Your diet plays a key role in your health. We all know to avoid unhealthy, processed foods such as chips and pre-packaged desserts, but it can be hard to make the right choices, especially during the busy times in our lives.
We’re not saying to hate what you eat for the sake of health—one person can only eat so much broccoli after all—but you should incorporate healthy options into your daily life. Consider swapping a sweet dessert for fruit or changing out your chips for some vegetables and hummus. You can even swap out higher fat foods, such as burgers, with lower fat but still tasty options such as grilled chicken.
You may be surprised at what a balanced diet can do for your health. According to the CDC, an overall healthy diet can help your digestive system function, boost immunity, strengthen bones and lower your risk of several diseases, including obesity, diabetes and some forms of cancer.
Ultimately, you don’t need a total ban on all things unhealthy, but you should practice moderation and common sense. Remember, fats, starches and salt are part of a balanced diet, but it’s important not to overdo it and to choose the right versions and properly balance your macronutrients.
Move it to lose it
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to a number of ailments, including heart disease, obesity and high cholesterol, among other health problems. Thankfully, few barriers to entry exist for improving upon a sedentary lifestyle.
It is generally recommended that adults should be active for 150 minutes per week (other factors can play a role—some people require a bit more activity to maintain a healthy weight). However, you don’t need a gym membership for this activity. Consider going on walks in your neighborhood, doing yard work or trying out a new sport.
No matter how you choose to be active, the health benefits are plenty. Not only do you help prevent diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but you can improve cognitive function, mental health and chronic illnesses. An active lifestyle is one of your best tools to live a longer and generally happier life.
Check up on your check-ups
Take a moment to think. When was your last doctor’s appointment? How about your last preventative doctor’s appointment? Your last dental visit?
If it wasn’t within roughly the last calendar year, it’s time to make an appointment. Routine and preventative health appointments are a necessary part of maintaining your health.
Routine appointments allow for better detection of adverse and chronic health conditions, such as depression and hypertension, and are excellent for cancer screenings and staying up-to-date with vaccinations.
Regular health screenings are important regardless of age, and there are a number of guidelines you should follow when considering your health. Some of these guidelines include yearly eye screenings, annual dental exams and when to get tested for certain ailments.
Read our “Don’t Kick the Bucket List” on Facebook to learn more about these guidelines.
Your whole health is important, and it can have a significant impact on your bedroom abilities. If you’re struggling with erectile dysfunction, reach out. Our team of doctors are the experts who can help.