By Ben Croxford, Form & Practice Mt Evelyn and Olinda Physiotherapist
Let’s face some facts – men aren’t great at looking after our health – in fact, we’re terrible.
Statistically speaking, men are more likely than women to suffer serious consequences from the same health condition and research says we’re less likely to go to the doctor for a health issue and often leave it too late.
All in all, men often don’t take a pro-active approach to their own health and suffer as a consequence – which means we need to do better.
As a physiotherapist, I see this all the time. It’s not just about back pain or that niggly knee that I’m talking about, it’s about serious health issues that get out of control, such as obesity, chronic pain, substance abuse and mental health challenges to name just a few.
My line of work focuses on physical health and I regular see men who wait too long to see me for a small issue and then end up in surgery or dealing with more complex musculoskeletal pain, or men who don’t follow through on a treatment plan.
That said, let’s be glass-half-full – the good news is that there are simple changes we can all make that generate substantial long-term benefits and help us to reclaim control of our health.
* Don’t leave it too late to seek help
Chances are, there are solutions for your health concern and it’s far easier to manage it early, trust me.
* Get some regular exercise
Exercise is the wonder-drug, it helps in some way to prevent or treat almost every health condition we know – that’s no exaggeration.
Exercise looks after your heart, your lungs, your bones, your muscles, your immune system and your brain function. It significantly reduces your risk of osteoarthritis, diabetes, back pain, mental health issues, most chronic diseases and even lowers your risk of getting cancer. That’s only the beginning of the list, imagine if a doctor could prescribe a drug that powerful.
* You are what you eat, literally
It’s easy to get confused about differing opinions from very well-educated experts on what the best diet is however, sometimes I think it’s pretty simple – eat less junk and more veggies.
* Aim for good quality sleep
Sleep is immensely powerful in helping your body regenerate and repair. It’s also important to note that quantity doesn’t replace quality when it comes to sleep.
* Don’t ignore your mental health
Like your physical health, mental health is not simply “good” or “not good” – it fluctuates daily and we need to look after it just like we need to look after our physical bodies.
Of course, creating healthy habits looks different for everyone, because obviously we are all built differently.
Health professionals can help you explore the detail of how to best implement the advice above for you and your specific circumstances – and I promise you that we don’t judge.
Ben Croxford is a Physiotherapist and leads the team at Form & Practice Mt Evelyn and Olinda.
His writings explore his favourite health topics, challenge common myths and aim to empower you to take control of your own health.
Find out more at formandpractice.com.au
