Men's health checks and taking action

When comparing the average life expectancies of men to women globally, statistics have revealed that on average men die five years earlier than women and the reasons for this are largely preventable.

With annual events like Movember helping to raise awareness on the importance of men's health and wellbeing, let's take a look at the ways that men can proactively take action with regards to their mental and physical health so they can lead healthier, happier, and longer lives.

Just remember that if you need support or someone to talk to, our Sonder support team is available 24/7 to chat whenever you need it.

There's a stigma surrounding men and their inability to open up as it makes them seem "weak". Well it's time we get rid of that inaccurate stigma once and for all because there's nothing weak about talking about emotions or whatever tough challenges are going on at the moment.

If you or someone you know is going through a tough time mentally, reach out for a chat. You don't need to be an expert in mental health to do this as sometimes just listening with an open mind and offering your support is enough. These conversations can be difficult and take a bit of effort, but they're worth having and may well help save someone's life.

Sometimes talking things out is just a starting point and you or someone you know may need additional support. Perhaps they may want to speak to someone anonymously or a mental health professional. Just as there's no shame in opening up to people, there's absolutely no shame in seeking professional help from a GP or mental health professional if you or someone you know needs it. Get started by talking to us here at Sonder - alternative other helpful 24/7 resources include:

Testicular cancer is not a common cancer, but it is the second most common cancer in young men aged 20 to 39. Although this might be the case, 62 per cent of those who are at risk, have no idea how to regularly check for it. Luckily, it's quite easy to check for testicular cancer, and it's a disease that's highly treatable when caught early.

Men should be checking their testicles every month for cancer and to be aware of what changes to look out for. For those who aren't sure how to check or what to look out for, head over to the help Nuts & Bolts website here.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in Australia, and more than 1.4 million men around the globe are diagnosed with the disease every year. While the risk of prostate cancer increases with age, it doesn't mean that it only affects older men as young blokes can also get it.

However, it is also a very treatable disease if it's detected early, so getting your prostate checked is very important.

For more information on the signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for, and what to do with regards to getting checked, head over to Movember's helpful prostate cancer website here or the Cancer Council website here.

As important as it is to keep your mind in a healthy state, your physical body needs some care as well. Incorporating some daily exercise routines such as: going to the gym, going for a walk everyday, cycling instead of driving to work, and incorporating healthy habits into your diet, will not only help you feel better but will improve your overall health in general.

For more information on starting an exercise routine, we've got you covered here. If you've got any diet-related questions, we've also got you covered right here.

If you have any questions or need extra support, we're here to help you anytime in any language. Simply start a chat with us via the home screen of the Sonder app.

Information sourced from: Movember

Image credit: Sonder

All content is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional.