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6 simple tips to help men improve their health every day
With Movember just around the corner, there’s no better time than now to put your health first. Fortunately, caring for your wellbeing doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little TLC and a basic understanding of the human body, you can improve your health in no time. Curious about whether you drink too much coffee or whether your happy hour habits are curbing your efforts? This Pacific Prime Latin America article offers six simple tips to help men improve their health every day.
1. Monitor your screen time
Have you ever experienced neck pain after looking at your phone? Or felt eye strain after hours on the computer? You might have also noticed your anxiety levels increase the more time you spend on your devices.
Spending too much time in front of a screen affects your health – whether that’s your phone, computer, TV, or gaming console. Anxiety, neck pain, weight gain, and sleep disturbances are some of the many ways our health is affected by screen time. To combat using your phone excessively, start to monitor your screen time using apps on your devices.
You’ll also want to put your phone away during mealtimes so you can focus on your food and avoid overeating. Family time and the winding down period before bed are other times of the day when your phone is best on airplane mode. Consider a digital detox day each week for a break that your mind and body will appreciate.
2. Reduce your caffeine intake
Coffee lovers often say that their daily habit comes with health benefits. While there are science-based health benefits to a few cups of Joe, caffeine is a stimulant that increases your heart rate. It can also leave you feeling anxious or irritable.
There is no exact amount of coffee you should have. However, if you’re a person who’s already on edge or are prone to high blood pressure (check your family medical history), your best bet is one cup a day at most. It’s suggested that up to four cups of coffee or tea are probably safe for the rest of us. Remember that sugary energy drinks are loaded with caffeine so calculate accordingly.
Thinking about cutting down on your caffeine consumption? Gradually reduce your intake to avoid the uncomfortable effects of quitting cold turkey like headaches and irritability. Be prepared to feel more tired than usual as your body weans off the stimulant but know that your energy levels will be back (and more stable) once your body adjusts.
3. Make sure you’re drinking enough water
Drinking lots of water helps flush toxins out of your system quickly, which can also be helpful if you’re quitting coffee. The reality is that most of us don’t drink nearly enough water. In fact, many people rely on throat-drying thirst or dark-colored pee to guzzle down some aqua.
Strive to be the person who knows their pee should be a light straw yellow color or sips water throughout the day to reach the recommended two liters – and more if you live somewhere hot. Some helpful habits to help you stay hydrated include packing a water bottle for work and adding some of your favorite fruit or herb for flavor.
4. Limit your alcohol consumption
Are you the kind of person who loves hitting the happy hour after work or has a few drinks with dinner every night? If so, this tip may not be as easy to swallow as an alcoholic beverage but it will do wonders for your health.
No matter how you look at it, there is no safe level of drinking when it comes to alcohol. Made from starch or sugar, alcohol is loaded with calories. Your chances of heart disease, cancer, and stroke all go up with alcohol consumption. The more you drink, the more you put your health at risk.
To reduce the risk, stay alcohol-free for most days of the week and refrain from drinking more than two drinks in one day. Drinking water between your alcoholic beverages can help prevent hydration and minimize undesirable effects like a throbbing hangover.
5. Check-in on your mental health
Nearly 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness. While men are less likely to experience mental health conditions than women, they are also more likely to attempt (and die from) suicide. Depression, anxiety, substance abuse, schizophrenia, and PTSD are some of the most common mental health conditions in men. It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of these conditions and to ask for help if something doesn’t feel right.
All of us experience down days here and there. However, if you find yourself having trouble eating or sleeping, and notice other changes in behavior, it may be time to seek help. Speaking to your loved ones can be a good start, but talking with your doctor or therapist allows you to get a professional opinion.
6. Get your body moving
You’ve probably heard that you should be moving your body for an hour every day, but did you know you don’t have to spend it at the gym or on a treadmill? There are many ways you can incorporate exercise into your routine – and have fun doing it.
Unwind from the workday with an evening walk in the park, smash out your stress with a game of squash or tennis, or jog to the office while listening to an audiobook. On the weekends, go for a hike or run on the beach to get a double dose of exercise and nature. Look for fun ways to move your body and you’ll soon find yourself with a new healthy habit.
Take charge of your health with Pacific Prime Latin America
There’s no better way to put your health first than to secure health insurance. With the right health insurance plan, you can rest easy knowing that you can access quality medical care whenever you need it.
Whether you’re looking for individual health insurance in Mexico, life insurance in Mexico, or more, Pacific Prime can help you find the best plan for your needs and within your budget. Contact us for impartial advice or a free plan comparison and quote today.
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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