Let’s talk about ‘healthspan’ rather than ‘lifespan’ - Leanne Spencer
Love him or hate him, Tyson Fury is a surprising ambassador for men’s health, particularly mental health. Having beaten the odds in defeating Vladimir Klitschko to win pretty much all the heavyweight belts, he then fell into a deep depression. His subsequent battle with drugs (including alcohol), partying and mental health left him so depressed and unhappy that few ever imagined he’d get in a ring again.
Of course, he surprised us all again by recovering, and defeating Deontay Wilder to win the WBO belt back and is now arguably the top heavyweight in the world. What he’s done as a person and an athlete is incredible, but where he also deserves credit is for what he’s done for men’s health. Men are much less likely to consult a GP for health issues or discuss their mental health with professionals. The statistics are horrendous for men – 1 in 5 will die before they reach 65 years old (I was shocked to find this during my research).
Let’s help change this by addressing the stigma that some of you might have about men’s health. Whilst I’m mainly addressing the men in this article, what I have to say also applies to women. We need to ensure we’re encouraging men and young boys to express their feelings and show vulnerability and not expecting our men to ‘man up’. We are all human and should be able to express ourselves in the same way.
Here are three things to think about to get started:
Be strong enough to share how you’re feeling
If you’re concerned about your physical health or are struggling with your mental health, please consider sharing your concerns with a professional or with someone else. Sometimes it doesn’t matter who it is – it might even be someone you meet on a walk. I once spent over an hour talking very intimately with a stranger I met in the park. Whilst our dogs sniffed and played, we chatted about her pending divorce and my historical alcohol problems. Usually sharing your worries comes as a great relief and can put you on the path to resolution.
Prevention is better than cure – get checked!
Even if you feel well, getting a regular check-up is a smart move. Your GP is a good place to start, or if you prefer to expedite matters you can use a direct-to-consumer service for biannual blood tests. I do this as part of my preventative health philosophy, so I can catch anything early and ensure my supplement regime is based on facts not guesswork. There are specific tests for men such as prostate and testicular checks, as well as more standard cholesterol and blood pressure checks. Whilst you may not relish the idea of a doctor checking your prostate, you won’t like what happens if anything goes wrong there either.
Be the role model for men’s health that helps others
By having the strength to talk about your physical and mental health, you will role model positive, healthy behaviours for other men and young boys. Our kids look to us for guidance on what to do (and they’re looking when we don’t realise it too), so show them that asking for help and caring about your health is a show of strength. It isn’t only women (and it’s not all of us either) who are generally unashamed to talk to a therapist or see a doctor, it’s anyone who cares about their health and wants to live life to the full.
Life is short and precious, and I mean that in the most positive sense. Let’s make the most of it and maintain good health for as long as we can. It’s about healthspan not lifespan – no matter what your gender!