Guys, this week is Men’s Health Week! The focus of 2019 is on men’s health in numbers and the crucial stats all men need to know in order to live a full and healthy life. Obviously, it’s an incredibly important topic to talk about and we think it’s more prevalent now than ever; so we’ve created a list of reasons why.
1) The Numbers Don’t Lie
67% of men are overweight or obese and that’s a scary figure. That’s over two thirds of all men around the world. We’ve learnt that a size 37 waist or higher can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. When something like this is put into statistics it will always surprise us but these are the facts that prove we still need to be thinking and learning about men’s health.
2) We Need to Talk
Guys are often seen as the strong characters who can be relied on for support but feeling like you have to be the wall for everyone to lean on is a daunting thought. Unfortunately, blokes seem to prefer to bottle up their worries rather than let one of their mates know how they’re really getting on. This can have a really bad effect on anyone’s mental health, be it male or female, so we need to start the conversation more often to get us all to open up. These chats may feel big but once you’ve started, it’s a lot easier to carry on. There’s nothing weak about being honest and someone’s emotional wellbeing is not something to be messed with; especially if it’s your own. Men’s Health Week reminds us that we still aren’t completely aware or thinking about men’s health enough.
3) And Not Talking Can Be Really Dangerous
It’s a devastatingly tragic statistic that 3 out of 4 suicides are male. This is something that desperately needs to be addressed so, if we learn anything from all of the numbers in this year’s Men’s Health Week, make sure we take note of this one.
4) The Pub Can Be a Fickle Friend
We think that the stereotypical masculine lifestyle isn’t necessarily the healthiest. There’s a large emphasis upon pub culture and heavily meat-based diets. For instance, the main thing guys do if they want to meet up is go down the pub for a few drinks. Anything over 14 units of alcohol a week can lead to a whole host of health problems. Don’t get us wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a couple pints with your mates but there is a line when it becomes more unhealthy than balanced in terms of diet.
5) Gym Culture Can Be Pretty Damaging…
Currently, society puts huge pressure on men and women to look a certain way. Social media is creating a world where most men seem to think they should all look like they’ve been carved from stone. In reality, all bodies are individual and no one should feel like they need to change theirs in order to be more attractive because it creates an environment where men feel they need to be in the gym or working out 24/7. 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity is a good amount to aim for. Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle but the demands and strains that overuse of the gym and diet supplements, like protein, can put on the body will often lead to more harm than good.
6) … And So Can Lad Culture
The world sometimes feels like it revolves around how many likes you get on your socials or how likeable you are to your preferred partner. Being in a group of lads can sometimes be a great way to create mates and bond. However, things like peer pressure and toxic masculinity can become rife in an environment like this and, when we remember that men prefer not to talk about their problems, mental health issues such as stress and anxiety may develop.
Whether it be your father, son, brother, granddad, uncle, best mate or just a guy you know from school; let’s start the conversation together. If you feel like you, or your mate, needs anyone to talk to then you can join our community.
