June is Men’s Health Month

June is Men’s Health Month and it’s a good reminder for men of every age to be proactive about their physical and mental health.

The most important thing every man (and woman) can do is schedule a complete annual physical with a primary care physician. This is something many of us tend to ignore, especially when we are younger. But scheduling an annual physical is the best way to spot any early signs of trouble. Your primary care physician will make sure that your vaccinations are up to date, monitor your weight and blood pressure and create a history of your overall health and vital statistics.

With your doctor’s guidance, you can also establish your best healthy weight and BMI (body mass index) score. Maintaining a healthy weight, combined with eating a balanced diet, and regular exercise are ongoing and proactive things that will help maintain your overall health. If you don’t smoke, congratulations! If you do, consider quitting now. And recent studies have shown that even moderate consumption of alcohol can affect your health.

Getting a good night’s sleep is a critical component of maintaining good health. Two of the most important things you can do get a good night’s sleep is to limit screen time before bed and avoiding alcohol three to four hours before you hit the sack. A good rule of thumb is to stop all screen time at least an hour before bedtime to help your body know it’s time for bed. If you can stop all screen time for longer than that, all the better.

Men are much less likely to see help for mental health issues, such as depression. The National Institute of Mental Health offers some solid tips for self-care. If these aren’t working for you, seeking professional help is important.

If you tend to lead a more sedentary lifestyle, try to find something you enjoy that involves physical activity: walking, golfing, tennis, bowling, swimming, hiking, bicycling, flag football, softball. Go for a walk every day with a family member or friend. Research shows that owning a dog also provides both physical and mental health benefits.

Flossing your teeth daily is another important way to maintain good health. If you brush your teeth and don’t floss, you’re only cleaning about 65% of your teeth. As reported by the University of Pennsylvania Dental Medicine, flossing daily helps prevent gum disease, lowers your risk of developing diabetes, and reduces the risk of heart disease. Be sure to schedule an annual visit with your dentist for a thorough exam and teeth cleaning. For some of us, an annual cleaning is sufficient. Your dentist can advise you best on how often you should come in for a thorough cleaning.

Typically, at the age of 55, your doctor will recommend annual PSA checks for prostate cancer and a colonoscopy. Don’t ignore these recommendations!