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August 2023
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The Insider
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News and updates for employers
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Easy ways for men to take charge of their health
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average, men in the United States die five years earlier than women. They also die at higher rates from the three leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries.
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There’s no time like the present for men to take control of their health and focus on sustainable healthy habits that will reduce their risk of common diseases.
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The power of prevention
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It may be hard to believe, but something as simple as getting regular check-ups can go a long way in improving your health. Regular check-ups help catch health issues early when they’re easier to treat. Unfortunately, studies show that men go to the doctor less than women and are more likely to have a serious condition when they do go.
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Men can do themselves (and their families) a favor by scheduling an annual physical with their doctor and bringing a list of issues and concerns they want to discuss to the appointment. Pro tip: When checking out, make next year’s appointment and enter it into your phone or work calendar. That’s one less thing to worry about.
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Committing to a healthier lifestyle
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In addition to regular check-ups, making small lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk for many of the top causes of death.
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Exercise regularly. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke, and may lower the risk of certain types of cancer. The CDC recommends 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days a week. Picking something enjoyable — such as basketball.
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Make healthier food choices. Making small tweaks to your diet can also have a big impact on your health. Focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods, and lean sources of protein (such as fish). Limit red meat, processed foods, saturated and trans fats, and added sugar and sodium.
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Maintain a healthy weight. Keeping your weight within a healthy range has many health benefits. It lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. Making gradual changes helps the weight loss stick. Even losing a few pounds (five to ten percent of your body weight) can improve your blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar, which reduces your overall risk for the above-mentioned diseases.
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A word about mental health
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Mental health is also an important part of overall health and doesn’t just impact people emotionally, but physically as well. Stress, depression, and anxiety increase the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
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Although stress is a normal part of life, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Men, especially, should make sure to have a healthy outlet for handling stress. If help is needed, resources are available:
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Healthy You! is a monthly newsletter of reliable health information designed to educate, engage, and enlighten. Featuring information on trending topics along with nutritious recipes, Healthy You! can be used to encourage better health among your fellow employees and their families.
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