We’re just over halfway through Men’s Health Week, and I’ll be honest, like a lot of typical 45-year-old blokes, I used to only go to the doc when something felt seriously wrong. But this year, I decided to change that.
I walked into the clinic and said, “Mate, I’m here for the 45,000 km service. Run the tests, do the checks, whatever needs doing, I’m keen. If there’s another way to do the prostate test though, I’d prefer that!”
I don’t drink or smoke, and I try to keep pretty healthy. But the last few years have been rough. I’ve come out the other side stronger, but not without a few knocks, both physically and mentally.
Here are a few sobering stats:
➡️ Aussie blokes carry more of their health burden from dying too early than from living with illness or injury.
➡️ 1 in 2 men in Australia has at least one chronic condition – like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.
➡️ Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, but way less likely to ask for help.
➡️ 66% of Aussie men are overweight or obese, a major risk factor for a stack of chronic diseases.
So, what can we do? Here are a few simple but powerful tips my GP shared (and from the link below, this isn’t medical advice from me!):
✅ Get regular check-ups, even if you feel fine.
🥗 Eat a balanced diet, load up on whole foods, fruit, veg, and lean protein.
🏃♂️ Stay active, aim for 30 minutes of movement most days.
😴 Prioritise sleep, 7 to 9 hours a night.
🧠 Look after your mental health, talk to someone, reach out, don’t bottle it up.
🚭 Avoid smoking and go easy on the booze, both are big risk factors.
❤️ Know your numbers, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, waist size.
So, in the spirit of Men’s Health Week, I want to encourage everyone, men and women (though let’s be real, women are usually better at this than us blokes), to put your health first. Book that check-up. Give yourself the same care you’d give your mates, your family, or your team at work. And let’s make talking about our health just a normal part of life.
It might only take 45–60 minutes of your time but being proactive could make all the difference. Look after yourself.
Until next week,
JM
P.S. Check out this link: https://www.amhf.org.au/