For many men, work or fatherhood may take precedence over health, often to the point where only a serious condition warrants a visit to Men’s Health Atlanta in Johns Creek, Georgia. But in the long run, those main priorities may end up being shortchanged because of health issues. So how can you be a healthier man? Dr. Zack Charkawi shares some tips.
Schedule a Checkup
Regular medical checkups are intended to be conducted when we’re feeling fine. But for many men, the line of thought is, if I feel fine, why visit the doctor? Here’s the problem with that train of thought. There are many serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, that don’t cause any noticeable symptoms at the beginning. Having a check-up and preventative health screenings are the best way to detect health issues early, when they’re easier to treat.
Dr. Charkawi will identify any preventative screenings you need, depending on your age and other risk factors. These might include:
- Colorectal prostrate and skin cancer screenings.
- Cholesterol blood tests to detect unhealthy levels, which can raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.
- Blood sugar tests for diabetes.
- Screening for depression, which also manifests physical symptoms.
Other reasons to get checkups? To get your age-appropriate vaccinations, an annual flu immunization, and ascertain if your hormones are in balance. That can have a big impact on how you feel and approach the aging process.
Aim for the Right Combination of Exercise and Nutrition
A healthy lifestyle is a key component of your health. Not only do you look and feel better, but the primary benefit is also that it lowers your risk for serious health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart problems. Try these small changes to your daily routine and see the difference!
- Go green (and yellow and red and blue and orange…) with fruits and vegetables at every meal.
- Limit blood pressure-boosting salt and sodium. How? Reduce your intake of processed foods.
- Go easy on red meat, especially fatty and processed kinds. For a leaner alternative, try skinless white meat like chicken or turkey.
- Eat fish, such as salmon, every week. It’s lower in saturated fats than many types of meat and supplies healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
- Switch to low-fat or nonfat milk. Nut and plant-based milk are good alternatives.
- Move! You don’t have to exercise until you drop, but find small blocks of time to walk, strength train your muscles, or indulge in aerobic activities. Although 2-1/2 hours per week is typically the goal, ANY form of exercise is valuable. Even mowing the lawn or gardening counts!
Tackle Stress
Stress is an issue common to many men, which can lead to physical manifestations and mental health deterioration. Although everyone has different triggers and reacts to stress differently, these simple tips may help you manage the impact of stress on your life:
- The quality and quantity of sleep are very important when stress is trying to wear you down. Follow a nightly wind-down ritual if possible.
- Avoid trying to resolve problems or take on conflict right before bed. It will only succeed in making you sleepless.
- Talk to someone – face to face is best. Feeling supported and connected can make challenges seem more manageable.
- Get organized. Being disorganized is stressful in and of itself. Keep a calendar, make lists and cross things off. Prioritize! Don’t put it off until tomorrow. Ask for help when you need it.
- Feeling immobilized by too much? A little movement, fresh air, or a power nap can help you snap out of its hold.
- Could you use a vacation? Getting away is good for your mental and physical health.
Healthy living can help prevent some of the leading causes of illness in men. Even the smallest changes, like applying sunscreen, quitting smoking, or taking a walk around the block every day, can help put you on the path to a longer, healthier life. After many years of working with male patients who were living unhealthy lifestyles, Zack N. Charkawi, M.D. devotes his Men’s Health Atlanta practice in Johns Creek, GA, to men’s healthcare. He focuses on wellness for men’s health including lifestyle, nutrition, preventative care, hormonal balance, aesthetics, and more. To schedule your appointment to hop on the men’s wellness train, call (770) 771-6591.