Keeping yourself fit is not just about landing up at the gym and having your legumes at home. In case of men in particular, it’s about the lifestyle decisions they make every day, which could determine their longevity as well as quality of life. From coping with stress to staying active to a healthy diet to kicking smoking – it all matters in maintaining long-term health.

There is a well-established association between lifestyle choices and conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer, more so among men, who are often less likely to go for preventing screening or make positive lifestyle tweaks.

Leading lifestyle risk factors for men

Unhealthy diet: A healthy diet is crucial to warding off a clutch of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity and heart conditions. On the flip side, too much of junk food, a high-fat diet and very little fruits and vegetables can bring on obesity and high cholesterol and elevate the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Lack of exercise: Men often become used to a sedentary lifestyle, sitting for long hours at work and also at home. The lack of movement increases the risk of obesity, heart disease and metabolic disorders.

Smoking and alcohol: Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol are two of the preventable risk factors for developing diseases like lung cancer, liver issues and cardiac conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dependence on smoking and alcohol contribute significantly to long-term health problems, more so among men.

Stress and mental health: Psychologists say that mental health issues are often ignored during discussions on men’s health focusing on anxiety and depression. These conditions can actually trigger serious physical health conditions like hypertension, cardiac disease and even stroke. Thus, treating mental health issues together with lifestyle changes, can minimise the risk of these diseases.

Steps that can improve lifestyle

A balanced diet: Incorporate more plant-based foods, lean proteins and vegetables into your diet. Go slow on processed foods and red meat to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. This can go a long way in preventing chronic illnesses.

Regular exercise: Exercise is absolutely essential for a healthy heart and weight and for general health. Regular exercise not only protects you against physical conditions, it also helps manage stress better and improves mental health.

Coping with stress: Yoga, meditation and deep-breathing exercises can considerably reduce the harmful consequences of stress. Men struggling with stress and other mental health issues, would do well to seek therapy and counselling.

Substance use: Try to quit smoking and cut down on your alcohol intake. This can hugely reduce the risk of heart disease, liver problems and a number of cancers.

Preventive screenings: Early detection of problems like prostate cancer or hypertension can change long-term health trajectories. Hence, routine checkups or preventive screenings are so vital for men’s health.