Four Health Mistakes Men Make

Many men don’t take the time to think about health.  They have other things to do, including work, hobbies, child rearing, and a myriad of other activities. Honestly, a man’s health many times takes a back seat to almost anything else.  I have worked in the health field for over 20 years, most recently at a local public health department.  From my  years of experience, I can relate four mistakes that men make concerning their health. Read on to learn more about what a man needs to do to take charge of his health, both for himself and for those he loves.

Fail to See a Doctor

Many men fail to visit a doctor for a yearly check up.  This includes the eye doctor and the dentist, as well as a general practitioner.  Over the course of the last several years, however, businesses have begun to require that employees get these regular check ups. Why?  Because finding a health problem early saves the company money.  As you can surmise, yearly check ups can improve a man’s health immensely.  These exams can even lengthen a man’s life.

Unwilling to Follow a Doctor’s Advice

Another characteristic that many men share is that they fail to follow a doctor’s advice. I’ve seen men who have been ordered to take it easy doing just the opposite. I have witnessed men who have been told not to engage in risky behaviors, such as drinking alcohol and smoking, continue to do so.  Men can be stubborn creatures, just like some women I know!  In essence, if a doctor tells a patient to do something (or not do something) because of a health issue, then a man should listen.

Clueless as to Their Numbers

Many men don’t know their cholesterol or high blood pressure numbers. In today’s world, we know that cholesterol should be well below 200 and that blood pressure should be kept in the range considered to be healthy.  Because of this, men need to know these all important numbers.

Exercise, What’s That?

As men age, they no longer engage in physical activity as much as they once used to.  If given the go ahead from a health professional, men should fit in 30 minutes of vigorous exercise every day.  This is important for all men, but especially those who no longer have young children to keep them active!  Instead of making the mistake of not exercising enough, men need to take physical activity seriously.  For instance, my dad it 77 years old; since he has exercised his entire life, he can still shoot archery, he can push mow his lawn, he can trim trees, he can do just about anything he’s always done.

Men can take charge of their health.  By visiting the doctor regularly, by honoring a doctor’s advice, by knowing their cholesterol and blood pressure numbers, and by exercising, they can improve their lives tremendously.  Take a health educator’s advice, and remember, the first wealth is health!

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