It’s Men’s Health Week – and students Hasan and Kamal have some tips to share
Did you know that, on average, men live 4.4 years less than women? But having a Y chromosome is not the reason – only 30 percent of a man’s overall health is determined by genetics. The rest can often be about lifestyle and individual choices, although there’s a range of other factors that play a part in your health, including your background, personal circumstances and access to health care.
That’s why we want everyone who identifies as a man to take some time this Men’s Health Week (14–20 June) to think about your own health and wellbeing. Now, we know this stuff can sometimes be a bit dry (and intimidating as well), so we’ve got two of our fabulous Wellbeing Ambassadors – Hasan and Kamal – on board to liven things up and lead the way.
Stuff you should know
Why do males need to be more invested in their health? Well, the health status of males in most countries, including Australia, is generally poorer than that of females:
- The male mortality rate is much higher – overall, for every two women who die, three men die.
- Men and boys are more likely than women to engage in risk-taking behaviour, which makes them more likely to get sick or injured from serious health problems.
- On average, one in eight men will experience depression, and one in five will experience anxiety at some stage.
- Traditional ‘masculine’ traits such as strength, suppressing emotions and self-reliance have been shown to have a negative effect on how some men manage their health.
- Men visit the doctor less frequently and have shorter visits than women, and only attend when an illness is in its later stages.
Things you can work on
It’s important to realise that men’s health is about wellness as much as it’s about illness. Having a positive and proactive attitude to all aspects of your health is vital.
As Deakin Wellbeing Ambassadors, Hasan and Kamal know a thing or two about putting their health first, so here’s some advice from the guys:
Try to de-stress
Hasan: Stress mainly affects my sleeping patterns and eating habits, which results in some health and wellbeing issues. During stressful periods, I start by doing simple things that make me happy, which in most cases is watching a TV show or movie that makes me laugh.
Sometimes, I just switch off from everything and go for a walk, do some painting or even cook something that cheers me up. This helps me to appreciate the little things in life, learn from the past and manage stressful situations.
Introduce healthy habits
Kamal: I incorporate a new healthy habit by either integrating it with an existing habit or replacing it with a habit that no longer serves me. For example, choosing to walk to my classes rather than taking the bus or my car. It can be as simple as replacing your habit of staring at screens before bedtime with reading a book. As they say, every long journey starts by taking a small step.
Making simple changes can go a long way towards significant overall change. Drinking an extra glass of water or going for a 10-minute walk is something that can be easily incorporated.
Talk it out
Hasan: I always try surrounding myself with people smarter than me. When it comes to something personal, I turn up to my friends. For professional matters, I reach out to my mentors for advice. It’s healthy to talk about what you are thinking instead of piling up everything inside. There might be some embarrassing situations in life as well as situations where we don’t want our closest friends to judge us. If you don’t have that person with who you can share your highs and lows, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t speak with anyone about it.
Kamal: I feel I can open up more to my friends than I can to my parents. The best way to bring the topic up to a friend I’m concerned about is by talking about my experiences and how it has helped me improve in my life rather than directly putting the spotlight on my friend.
What you can do next
Get checked out and ask for help when needed
When it comes to your health, early detection can be crucial. If you feel that something’s a bit off, either physically or mentally, seek help early. Our on-campus Deakin Medical Centres are an accessible and safe space, and confidential consultations with our friendly doctors and nurses are bulk-billed. You can also talk to a Deakin counsellor.
And remember to check in with your mates regularly too – a simple conversation could save a life.
Follow the boys on social
Hasan and Kamal will be posting healthy tips all week, so follow Deakin Life on Facebook and Insta for videos and other content.
Educate yourself
There’s heaps of handy resources and info to help you get a handle on your health. Check out some useful men’s health infographics, and visit the Australian Men’s Health Forum, Beyond Blue and the Better Health Channel.