Men – Take Charge of Your Health

Would you rather mow the lawn or clean the bathroom rather than go to the doctor? You’re not alone. A study from the Cleveland Clinic found that most men hate going to the doctor. But this can be deadly.

Don’t wait to go to the doctor until you’re sick. In fact, avoiding regular checkups can shorten your lifespan because chronic conditions need to be treated early before they become deadly.

Here are some important healthy tips:
• Be honest with your doctor. 1-in-5 men don’t tell their doctor everything because they don’t want to face a potential scary diagnosis or changes to their lifestyle. But your doctor needs to know so they can help prevent or treat conditions before they become too serious.

• Take heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men, and half of the men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. But a 20 minute daily walk around your block can go a long way to combat this disease. Regular cardio and strength training can help lower your risk as well as keeping your waistline at 40 inches or less.

• Eat the rainbow. Add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. You can still have foods with fat, salt and sugar, but remember—moderation is key.

• R-E-L-A-X. Stress is a killer. Really. Find activities that help you relax and decompress and do them more! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk with your doctor.

• Get more Zzzs. Sleep is the best way for the body to heal and repair itself. A lack of sleep also increases health issues like diabetes, heart disease, obesity and depression. Aim for at least 7 hours a night.

• Watch what you drink. A drink might be fun in the moment, but there are a lot of negative consequences to saying yes to happy hour. Alcohol increases blood pressure, disrupts sleep and increases the risks of certain cancers. Drinking also impacts mental health and there’s no health without mental health. Try to limit drinks to 2 drinks or less per day.

Are you ready to take charge of your health?
You don’t need to be a member to talk with one of our Florida Blue nurses. They can help you make a plan to improve your health and answer your health questions. Find your neighborhood Florida Blue Center at floridablue.com or call 1-877-352-5830 (TTY 1-800-955-8771).

Now’s the time to prioritize your health. Remember, you’re worth it.

Call Your Local Agent
352-353-3399
Dell Richards

Florida Blue Medicare is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Florida Blue contracts with New Directions Behavioral Health to provide behavioral health services. The programs offered by Florida Blue are subject to change.
Y0011_ 109888 2022_C