Three Well-Being Tips for Men’s Health Month

June serves as Men's Health Month, offering an opportunity to recognize fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers, and the important role they can play in our families’ well-being.

For some men, focusing on their health may be a secondary concern, but it doesn’t have to be that way. This time of year provides a chance to help raise awareness of the health challenges men may face and encourage them to take action to improve their well-being.

For instance, compared to women, men have a lower life expectancy (73 years vs. 79 years) and may experience some health conditions at higher rates, including heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. From an economic standpoint, productivity losses related to men’s health issues may cost U.S. employers and society as a whole over $156 billion annually.

With that in mind, here are three tips men can consider that may help improve their well-being this summer and throughout the year.

Make preventive care a priority. Men are 50% less likely than women to seek medical care, and 72% said they would rather do household chores – such as cleaning the bathroom – than go to the doctor. To help reverse these trends, now is the time to schedule an annual wellness visit with your primary care physician, providing an opportunity to take charge of your health and detect any potential health issues or diseases earlier. Men can be on the lookout for a variety of health issues that tend to increase in frequency as they age, including kidney stones, gout and certain cancers.1 If getting to the doctor is a challenge due to a packed schedule or other issues, consider a virtual visit, which may be a good option for both primary and urgent care.

Reduce risky behavior. Research shows that men may take more risks than women. For example, men are more likely to be addicted to alcohol and tobacco than women; men are more likely than women to binge drink; and men use illicit drugs at higher rates than women. What’s more, some men may be prone to push themselves physically, such as attempting a marathon, triathlon or an extreme sport. It’s a good idea to check with your physician before you engage in any extreme sport and start a slow and steady training routine.

Get competitive in a healthy way. Men who take fewer risks and channel their competitive spirit in a healthy way may enhance their well-being and quality of life. One strategy is to pair up with a workout partner or join a group fitness class, which research shows may support improved mental and physical health compared to exercising solo. Also, check if your employer offers a wellness program that enables people to earn rewards for achieving certain fitness goals or offers discounts on gym memberships. To help maintain overall health, it’s important for men to “compete with themselves” and set realistic – and specific – exercise and diet goals.

As we celebrate summer and the important role men play in our families and our communities, considering these tips may be a good way for men of all ages to make health a priority this year.