Health and Wellness at Saint Augustine's University

5 Suggestions to Celebrate Men's Health Week
Information from the National Foundation for Cancer Research

Did you know that the average U.S. female outlives the average U.S. male by five years? Right from the start, boys suffer more illness, more accidents, and die earlier than their female counterparts – and this isn’t just the case in the states.

Men’s Health Week is celebrated every year across the globe in June. It is an opportunity to highlight men’s health and what it means to be healthy. Through a series of promotions, events, and publicity during this international week, Men’s Health Week is designed to provoke thought and discussion about ways to improve male health.

In recognition of this important week, consider the following 5 activities to help celebrate and advocate for men’s health.

Dry week: Men are more likely to use to***co products and alcohol than women. Both to***co and alcohol increase one’s risk of cancer greatly–including cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon, re**um, and breast. Encourage the men in your life to join you in a dry week, or a week free of to***co and alcohol, in recognition of Men’s Health Week.

Know the recommended screening schedule: The rate of recovery from cancer is significantly increased by early detection. Periodic health appraisals, screening tests, and self-examinations may detect cancer early–and even save a life. The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) has compiled recommended guidelines for cancer detection. Review the guidelines, share them with those around you, and – if recommended – get screened!

Try a cancer-fighting recipe: Research suggests approximately 30-40% of cancer diagnoses can be prevented by modest diet and lifestyle changes. NFCR encourages eating nourishing foods with anti-cancer properties backed by research. Try a new recipe each day of the week, or simply try adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet.

Plan a fundraiser! Use your time and talents to raise critical funds to accelerate research that can improve men’s health. Whether it is for cancer, mental health, or another area of concern. NFCR supporters have used fundraising initiatives across the globe through sports, music, the arts, gaming, and more.

Remove the stigma around mental health: While incidents of mental health tend to be lower in men than women, they are also less likely to seek treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Mental health is as important as physical health and should not be ignored. Reducing stress, dealing with trauma, and working through life events are all important and no one has to do it alone — including men. Break the taboo by having open conversations about mental health with the men in your life.

Why We Love National Men's Health Week

A. We love men
We all have fathers, brothers, sons, grandfathers, and friends that are men! Some of us are even men ourselves! We want the men in our life to be healthy, happy, and with us for a long time, and encouraging them to take care of themselves is a big part of that. Men's Health Week helps us talk to the men in our life about their health!

B. Health is hard
Especially in America, many men are encouraged to be macho and invincible, and oftentimes that means they ignore symptoms and put off doctor appointments because "they're fine." Men's Health Week is all about peer pressure in the other direction!

C. An excuse to follow your bliss
It can be hard to find time to do the things we love to do, but Men's Health Week is a good reminder that health is also about happiness. Take a hike, go on a walk, play a round of golf, read a book, take a nap. Do what relaxes you! It's all healthy.

National Men's Health Week Activities

A. Make an appointment
One of the best ways to celebrate Men's Health Week is to make an appointment you've been putting off! Have a mole you need looked at, or an elbow injury that keeps flaring up? Feel like your digestion has been off or maybe it's just time for you schedule a test? Use Men's Health Week as an excuse to make a call and get that appointment on the calendar.

B. Head to the gym
Use Men's Health Week to get yourself moving! Go the gym, take a long walk, swim some laps, or take a bike ride. Your body with thank you, and just maybe it'll be the start of a weekly ritual.

C. Wear a blue ribbon
The blue ribbon is the symbol for Men's Health, and wearing one this week will show your commitment to the cause. It also does double duty as a conversation starter, helping you spread the good news about Men's Health Week to anyone curious enough to ask!

National Men’s Health Week is June 13-20, the week leading up to Father’s Day, because what better way to celebrate dad than to encourage him to take care of his health? The week is all about healthy bodies, hard exercise, good diet, and regular visits to the doctor. It’s part of National Men’s Health Month, a month-long recognition of men’s health with activities and events to remind men to take care of their bodies. So whether you are a man or just love them, take some time this week to celebrate the male form and keeping it in tip-top shape!

It's Mental Health Awareness Month!

Mental health is an incredibly important part of overall health. With a growing number of Americans experiencing mental health symptoms, we need to join together to advocate for improving our nation's mental health care system.

If you have concerns about your mental health, there are resources for you! Visit the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) on 1505 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC or contact us at 919.516.4255.

Learn more here: https://www.st-aug.edu/counseling-psychological-services/

National Women's Health Week: Practice Self-Care for your Mental Health

Make a list of small acts of self-care that you can do daily.
Check in to see if you need support or help dealing with daily life.
Stay connected with family and friends.
Connect with your community-or faith-based organizations.
Make time to unwind and focus on activities you enjoy.
Support caregivers in your life. If you are a caregiver, take time for you.
Pay attention to changes in your mood
If you or anyone you know is experiencing changes in thinking, mood, behavior, and/or thoughts of self-harm, reach out for help:

SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

Why National Women's Health Week is Important

A. Happiness starts with good health

Healthy women have more energy to get through the day and approach life with more hope and optimism. They are less stressed and experience lower levels of anxiety. Use National Women's Health Week as a reminder to breathe.

B. Kids need their moms

For moms, living a healthier lifestyle and taking preventative measures means they'll be around longer for their kids. Also, kids tend to adopt their parents' habits; healthy moms are likely to have healthier kids.

C. Good health is infectious

When friends and family see how happy you are by living a healthier lifestyle, they'll want a piece of that happiness pie. Living and eating well shows others that they can do it too.

National Women's Health Week: Health and Happiness - 5 Strategies for Women

1. Lose the stress
Long-term stress can lead to serious health problems. Women are also more likely to develop depression and anxiety

2. Put a cap on calcium
There's a limit. If you're under 50, try for 1,000 mg per day. Over 50? Push it up to 1,200 mg. Calcium-rich foods include milk, salmon, and almonds.

3. Pap test
Check for cervical cancer every three years if you're over 21. If you are 30-65, you can get both Pap and HPV tests every five years.

4. Birth control benefits
Studies show the Pill can lower the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer as well as regulate your cycle.

5. Stop fearing (all) fats
Fats aren't necessarily detrimental to your health. Those that come from avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish are generally ok.

How to Observe National Women's Health Week

1. Visit your doctor
Annual checkups are an absolute must for maintaining good health. If you haven't had a physical in a while, contact your doctor and book an appointment. Yes, even if you're feeling great.

2. Analyze your diet
Check your eating habits to make sure you're getting the recommended daily allotment of nutrients. It's easy to slip into an unhealthy eating routine. Make National Women's Health Week a time to adjust your diet.

3. Join the gym
Join your local gym and establish a regular workout routine. Better yet, if you have the resources, hire a personal trainer who will keep you honest.

Wear red for February to bring awareness to Heart Disease in women! SAU will go red on Friday, February 4.

The Red Dress represents women's courage and passion as they raise awareness about our heart health.

Learn more here: https://www.goredforwomen.org/

Who experiences the Blues?

There are many different people who might feel blue at the holidays. Someone who:
- has a death in the family
- has experienced financial setbacks at the holidays
- is separated from loved ones at the holidays with work, military obligations or other reasons
- has experienced other losses during the year – moving, medical diagnoses
- has experienced a change in lifestyle or roles – getting married, getting divorced,
starting a job or retiring,
- has experienced a change in the family - having a new baby, having children go away to college, work or military.

People who tend to be depressed, stressed, anxious can also become bluer at the holidays.

Holiday Blues

What is it about the Season?

The holiday season are often a difficult time, a time of sadness and loneliness, a time of self evaluation and reflecting about the past and a time of anxiety about the future year.