Why Men Should Care about their Health and Fitness

This is the dictionary definition of manly.  

^[1] Manly | adjective | having the qualities that people think a man should have:

• He has such a manly voice.
• My mother used to tell me it wasn’t manly for little boys to cry.

Synonyms

masculine (MALE)

When you consider this, and the way in which society encourages men to be brave, strong, and self-sufficient, it is hardly surprising that the average man pays less attention to his health than the average woman.

Compared to women, men are less inclined to take an active role in maintaining their health. They are also less likely to seek professional help for problems, particularly for mental health and wellbeing issues.

‘For example, men who do not express the experience of physical pain are typically applauded for their “toughness.” Visiting a physician involves sacrificing power and control in a number of ways, which may include having to wait when the doctor is running late, following directions for a physical exam, and allowing oneself to undergo medical procedures. As a result, efforts to retain control by avoiding professional help (e.g., the idea that a real man helps him- self) would appear to preserve masculinity at a consider- able cost to one’s health and autonomy’ (Davidson, 2003; Davidson & Arber, 2004).^[2]

Believing that it is weak to seek help means that men are more likely than women to die from conditions they could otherwise survive as regular check-ups and screening tests can spot disease early when it is easiest to treat.

There are many steps men can take to protect their own health and well-being, here are some and suggestions:

1. Sleep Quality‍

Research has suggested that men are more sleep deprived compared to women. A 2012 survey^[3] found that nearly a third (29.2%) of men achieved less than 6 hours of sleep on average each night. However, the NHS recommends that adults get seven or more hours per night on a regular basis.

The ^[4]NHS recommend many steps you can take to help improve your sleep, such as creating a restful sleep environment, sleep hygiene, and diet and exercise.

Exercise helps to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety which is a known cause for problem sleep. In my blog, Stress Busting Exercises, I talk about different exercises and how they can help reduce stress.

2. Talking

Sometimes life can get on top of us. Men suffer from depression just as much as women but are less likely to seek help and get it diagnosed. If you feel low – for whatever reason – talk to someone. It could be your partner, a close friend, a doctor, or a counsellor. It doesn’t matter who you talk to, but it does matter that you do talk. Talking is the first step towards coping with difficult situations.

3. Eat Well

Limit consumption of packaged and processed foods as these are often full of sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, artificial additives, and calories. Aim to eat a wide variety of:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Whole-grain products, such as brown rice and whole-grain breads
• Fiber-rich foods, such as beans and leafy greens
• Lean cuts of meat and poultry, such as skinless chicken breast and lean ground beef
• Fish, such as salmon

4. Exercise

Take the stairs, instead of the lift, walk or cycle to work, take part in a sport you love, and do it regularly. Exercise makes you feel better both physically and mentally.

At ABPT Fitness, I create bespoke fitness plans for my clients which suit who they are at the start and what they want to achieve. Whether you are just getting started on your fitness journey, are part of sports team or working towards competing, every approach to fitness is individual. Finding what works for you is the key to success and I help you find it!

I work with clients in person at Whitehill and Bordon Leisure Centre, or online. Send me a message to find out more

^[1] https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/

^[2] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/

^[3] https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/

^[4] https://www.nhs.uk/

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