Men’s Health Awareness Week takes place in the middle of June every year. The week’s goal is to encourage all men to seek help for any health concerns they may be experiencing. What are the benefits of fitness on men’s health?
This year’s theme is ‘Men Don’t Talk’.
This focus was inspired by King Charles, who revealed earlier this year that he suffered from an enlarged prostate. As a result, traffic to the NHS website page for this condition increased by 1,000%. The number of people who use Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker has almost doubled.
Talking about our experiences is essential for our physical and mental health. This was recently demonstrated when we spoke with Andy’s Man Club, a men’s mental health charity, during a webinar about the links between fitness, talking, and mental health. Lucas, our guest speaker, was incredibly inspiring as he shared his struggles with mental health and this fantastic charity’s support to men nationwide.
You can catch up on the session right here. The remainder of this article will focus on the specific benefits that physical activity can provide for men’s overall health and well-being.
What specific health challenges do men face?
Men face various health challenges that differ from women due to physiological differences and trends in our behaviour and social interactions. The following are some of men’s most common health issues and how physical activity can help prevent and treat them.
Cardiovascular disease.
Men are 2-3 times more likely than women to acquire cardiac disease in their early lives. When we exercise, our hearts beat faster, sending more blood to the muscles.. The heart, like any muscle, expands and strengthens with exercise. As you exercise more, your resting heart rate and blood pressure fall, lowering your risk of heart and circulation illness by 35 per cent.
Diabetes
Men are more likely to develop Type II diabetes, which is associated with obesity, a poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles. Aside from that, the work your muscles do helps to burn off excess blood glucose, which aids in the prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes.
Mental Health
Men underdiagnose mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety due to social stigma. According to the most recent statistics, suicide rates are more than four times higher among men than women, indicating that failing to seek help has a devastating impact.
Exercise can help improve mood and alleviate symptoms of mental illness by releasing chemicals known as endorphins, which are natural mood elevators, while also lowering levels of the body’s essential stress hormones.
Physical activity can also provide a social support network for men, allowing us to make valuable connections and gradually gain the confidence to discuss our health with trusted individuals.
Reproductive health.
Regular exercise has been shown to increase testosterone levels, libido, and sexual drive. Physical activity can improve blood flow to the reproductive organs by increasing circulation and promoting cardiovascular health.
Liver disease.
Men have a higher incidence of liver disease, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. This is most commonly linked to alcohol consumption. Men consume alcohol at a rate nearly 10% higher than women, and they are much more likely to binge drink than women, with 25% reporting consuming at least nine drinks during such sessions.
Drinking is a stress reliever and a social tool for men. By replacing these behaviours with physical activity, men can find healthier ways to manage stress and interact with others, lowering their risk of liver disease.
Respiratory diseases.
Men are more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly if they smoke. Aerobic exercise can be a powerful tool for those trying to quit smoking, reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes. Exercise also helps to suppress appetite and limit the weight gain that some people experience after quitting smoking.
Prostate cancer
Regular exercise has been linked to a lower risk of various types of cancer, including colon, prostate, and lung cancer.
Promoting men’s health through physical activity
There are numerous benefits that physical activity can provide to help alleviate and prevent the onset of a wide range of health conditions. In addition to these benefits, exercise can have a psychological impact.
We all have different shapes and sizes, but we can set goals for ourselves regarding improvement. Fitness can significantly impact our self-image through weight loss, muscle gain, or simply feeling confident that we are taking good care of ourselves.
Exercise can also give us a sense of mastery when we achieve our goals, allowing us to be more proud of our accomplishments and succeed in other aspects of our lives, including work.
As we commemorate Men’s Health Awareness Week, our message is straightforward: stay active, communicate, and care for your mind and body.
Health & Fitness
