From workouts to healthy diets, many of us
make an effort to look after ourselves. However, we could be
compromising our health on a daily basis without even knowing it. From
bottling things up to eating fast food, here are the top 10 male habits
you should try to break.
Avoiding the doctor
Research by the charity Men’s Health Forum has revealed that men are
20% less likely than women to visit their doctor, despite the fact that
they have shorter life spans than women and are more likely to die from
cancer. While visiting the doctor is rarely a pleasant experience,
diagnosing most illnesses early increases rates of survival, so stop
ignoring those symptoms and give your doctor a call.
Not doing self-checks
Just like with visiting the doctor, many men avoid doing necessary
health self-checks due to fear, denial of the risks, or confusion over
what to do. However, it is vital that men check themselves regularly for
signs of testicular cancer as incidence of the disease is on the rise,
particularly in young and middle-aged men. If you are not sure how to go
about checking yourself, visit a reputable website or ask your doctor
for tips on performing these necessary checks.
Binge drinking
Although women are rapidly catching up with men in the drinking
stakes, binge drinking is still more common among men than women, and
there are consistently higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and
hospitalisations in men. Binge drinking not only affects long term
health, but it puts your immediate safety at risk and can also lead to
rapid weight gain. To safeguard your health, it’s important to stick to
recommended limits and drink in moderation.
Bottling things up
On the whole, men are less likely than women to talk about their
feelings, express emotion or ask for help and support. Perhaps as a
consequence of this, men are half as likely as women to be diagnosed
with depression, yet are 77 per cent more likely to commit suicide.
Depressed men are also twice as likely as depressed women to resort to
alcohol and drug abuse. Bottling up anger is just as detrimental to
men’s health, with research suggesting that men who don’t express their
anger increase their risk of a heart attack.
Stressing over work
While men and women are equally exposed to workplace stress,
according to a survey of 3,000 workers by Medicash, men are four times
more likely than women to take a sick day due to work related stress and
are twice as likely to turn to alcohol to help deal with it. As
workplace stress can be an important factor in the development of
depression, heart disease and stroke, it is vital to seek a way to
resolve your feelings and ease your stress; whether it is by talking to
your boss, changing your job or seeking professional help.
Taking hot baths
Many men enjoying soaking in the tub, but for all those trying to
conceive it may be time to swap those long baths for showers.
Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, found
through their three-year study that having hot baths can significantly
reduce male fertility. As sperm develop best in cool surroundings, men
should avoid any activity that leads to overheating this area, including
sitting in hot tubs or Jacuzzis and regular, prolonged use of laptops.
Not applying sun cream
Although skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK,
multiple research studies have shown that few of us regularly wear
sunscreen, and that men are the worst offenders. According to research
by Mintel on sun cream use in France, Germany, Spain and the UK, an
average of 52 per cent of women use sunscreen, compared to only 37 per
cent of men. However, with many men spending significant time outdoor
for sports, work or leisure, it is vital to cover up with appropriate
clothing and sun cream before heading outside.
Poor bathroom hygiene
Do you wash your hands after you’ve visited the bathroom? According
to a study by the American Society for Microbiology and the Soap and
Detergent Association, one in three men don’t! Furthermore, a study by
the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine carried out at UK
service stations found that only a third of men washed their hands with
soap. Not washing your hands is the quickest way to spread germs and
infection, so protect your health and those around you by making sure
you lather up before leaving the bathroom.
Not brushing their teeth
According to a study by the American Dental Association, only 66 per
cent of men brush their teeth twice or more a day, compared to 86 per
cent of women. Furthermore, research findings published in the Journal of Periodontology
showed that women are almost twice as likely to have regular dental
checkups than men. Failing to look after your pearly whites is not only
bad news for your teeth and gums; research has shown that gum disease
can increase risk of heart disease, erectile dysfunction and dementia.
Eating fast food and takeaways
In today’s fast food culture, many of us are guilty of hampering our
weight loss by indulging in too much junk food, and this is particularly
true for men. A survey by Pew Research Center revealed that 47 per cent
of men eat in a fast food restaurant at least weekly, compared to 35
per cent of women. With an average takeaway containing over half your
recommended daily calories and copious amounts of salt, do your health a
favour by cutting back on takeaways and replacing with home-cooked
meals.
RealBUZZ
