June is National Men’s Health Month, so today we’re going to talk about the 5 most common and popular beliefs about men’s health and learn why they’re just plain wrong.
Myth #1: Dad bods and potbellies are the same thing
Like moms, dads come in all shapes and sizes. In recent years, the term ‘dad bod’ became popular to describe male physiques that were not in the most chiseled of states, but were still considered attractive. Unfortunately, a lot of men decided that oversized potbellies were part of dad bods.
While dad bods are just cushiony and soft all over, potbellies are a storehouse of visceral fat. This kind of fatty tissue is packed deep around the internal organs and is suspected to secrete toxic proteins that inflame the organs and narrow the blood vessels.
The bigger your belly, the more dangerous it is to your health. A waist measurement of 40 inches puts you at extreme risk of heart disease, diabetes, and almost every major chronic disease. Abdominal obesity also strains your back, neck, and shoulder muscles as they struggle to lift and support the mass of fat hanging over your belt buckle.
You don’t need to aim for a six-pack, but bringing your waist measurement down to 37 inches or less will make you look so much better and drastically improve the quality of your life. You will also breathe better, sleep better, and be able to manage any existing chronic health conditions better.
On that note…
Myth #2: No pain, no gain
This is absolutely not true. A few days of muscle soreness are to be expected when starting an exercise regime after 20 years of sitting on the couch and changing TV channels. But soon, when you’ve got into the exercise groove, you’ll notice the soreness has gone away and your body doesn’t hurt anymore.
This leads to that great, big, exercise myth: if your muscles aren’t hurting, it means the exercise is no longer effective.
Under this mistaken belief, you start pushing your body to unhealthy extremes and this can backfire. Intensifying your workout puts you at risk of injury, and injuries sustained as a senior adult take longer to heal.
For senior adults, the purpose and goal of exercise is not to set bodybuilding records — although it’s great if you do. Your aim is to strengthen and tone muscles, improve heart health, lower your blood pressure, and maintain a healthy weight. The best news is, you can get all that and more with regular walks.
Myth #3: Men and moisturizers don’t mix
6 out of 10 American men do not moisturize their skin. Only 1 in seven men puts on sunscreen regularly. The reasons for not taking better care of their skin range from ‘I don’t know’, to ‘That’s for girls.’
It is true that men’s skin is tough. The male hormone testosterone makes men’s skin thicker than women’s skin by 20-25%. Men’s skin is also rougher and oilier, and ages differently than women’s skin.
However, skincare is not a comparison between men’s and women’s skin. It’s about protecting your body’s protective covering, especially on the knees, elbows, hands, and feet. Moisturized skin is supple and less likely to crack, peel, and consequently, bleed. Cracks in the skin are also gateways for bacteria to enter and cause infections that may turn life-threatening.
Sunscreen is just as important for men as for women. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, far more men than women will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2024, and far more men than women will die from melanoma.
Research by the foundation also shows that using even just an SPF 15 daily, as directed, may reduce the risk of melanoma by 50%.
Myth #4: Mental health issues are unmanly
The stigma around mental health is so last century. Thankfully, modern men have realized that it’s far better to live a happy and healthy life than to struggle with anxiety, depression, and other common mental health conditions just because of the fear that judgmental people will think they’re ‘weak’.
But as multiple previous generations of men were raised to believe that real men took it on the chin, stayed quiet, and went on with their lives, millions of men even now continue to bottle up valid feelings of frustration, anger, and helplessness.
This leads to hypertension, ulcers, substance addictions, as well as displays of violent behavior — all because of misguided notions of ‘strength’.
The irony is that asking for help is actually a sign of strength, not weakness. It takes an immensely brave, confident, and self-assured man to say, “I don’t know what to do. Will you help me?”
Are you a brave, confident, self-assured man willing to ask for help? There are plenty of resources available for you, from mental health hotlines to support groups in your town. All you have to do is take the first step and reach out.
Myth #5: You can pay off your sleep debt
Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep a night to function properly. Not getting that much sleep can leave you feeling tired and lacking energy during the day.
There could be several reasons for your poor sleeping routine. You might be drinking too much coffee, smoking, or working too hard. You might have undiagnosed health problems such as sleep apnea, or you could be taking any prescription medications incorrectly.
The few hours in bed might also be the only time you get to unwind, and it’s tempting to spend them scrolling through your smartphone instead of sleeping. Before you know it, it’s morning and time to get out of bed and on with your day.
The popular notion that you can ‘catch up’ on lost sleep over the weekend doesn’t offset the damage done to your health over the week. Five days in a row of scant sleep can make you gain weight, scramble the way your body processes insulin, and increase your risk of developing chronic diseases. Sleeping in for two days does nothing to fix that.
If sleeping 7 hours straight is just not happening for you, try taking frequent naps through the day. This may not be doable for many reasons, in which case you should make an appointment with our doctor nearest you and they will help you figure out why you can’t sleep properly and what you should do about it.
Getting the facts right
The creation and destruction of medical myths is an evolutionary process. Every day, medical experts discover something new about the human body and brain. This new knowledge either cancels out old beliefs, or strengthens them with further proof.
The best way to approach medical information is with an informed and open mind, and to discuss your personal way forward with a knowledgeable and skilled doctor who can help you live a healthier life.