Men’s Health Month: create healthy habits

June is Men’s Health Month. It’s a great opportunity to encourage the men in your life (including you, men out there!) to take care of their physical and mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men aren’t always the best about getting the health care they need. Men are 33% less likely to visit the doctor than women. And, women are 100% more likely to see their doctors for regular preventive care.

A checkup can help men to stay healthy and screen for health issues like cancer, heart disease and depression.

Here are some ways men can create healthy habits and their loved ones can support those goals:

• Get educated on how to be healthier. Check out articles that talk about healthy eating, exercise and the importance of preventive care. During Men’s Health Month, you can find articles online that relate specifically to men’s health.
• Encourage fun activities. Exercise can be fun! Men, join a game of tennis or pickleball. Women, give the men in your life a gift certificate for a round of golf. Or, make it a family event and get outside for a walk or to throw a ball in the park with the kids.
• Be an accountability partner. Do you know a man who wants to lose some weight, cut back on alcohol or get to the gym more often? Offer to join them in their goals and keep each other on track. If you both keep it up for the month, there’s a good chance you can make it a habit.
• Pampering can be healthy. Healthy activities don’t have to be hard. Consider a massage, meditation or a nap. A bit of pampering is good for all of us.
• Keep mental health in mind. It’s hard to keep your body healthy when you’re struggling with depression or anxiety. For HealthSelect^SM medical plan participants, Virtual Visits through MDLIVE^® and Doctor On Demand^® are a great way to get care if you see or experience signs of mental health issues.
• Take that important next step. Men, remember to make an appointment with your primary care provider for an annual wellness checkup. It’s the best way to find health problems early and make a plan to treat them.

Men’s Health Month is the gentle push men need to stop worrying and start healing. There’s no need to suffer through nagging back pain, a suspicious mole or just feeling down in the dumps. Now’s a great time to stop stressing and get some care.

Questions?

If you have questions about your HealthSelect medical plan benefits, finding a PCP or scheduling a wellness checkup, call a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Personal Health Assistant toll-free at (800) 252-8039 (TTY: 711), Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a. m. – 3 p.m. CT.