One in five men die before the age of 65.

Men's Health Awareness Week is all about heightening awareness of preventable health problems for men of all ages and backgrounds and supporting them to live healthier lifestyles. 

The causes are a variety of physical and mental health issues, which is why it's incredibly important for us, as an industry made up of 87% of men, to look after our men and see what we can do to help them be healthy for work and for life.

There are plenty of things you can do to stay fit, like taking up regular exercise, but we want to make sure men you don't ignore your mental health either.

Physical Health

• Get regular check-ups with your doctor. Seeing your GP regularly can help them identify and treat any health issues, such as Prostate cancer, in its early stage.
• Reduce your salt and sugar intake. Having too much salt can increase your cholesterol and cause heart problems later down the line whereas too much sugar can lead to obesity and/or diabetes.
• ​Go for a daily walk. Taking a stroll lets you get in some cardio exercise and fresh air - and it's great for your mental health.
• Reduce alcohol intake. As well as inhibiting your ability to perform day to day functions if consumed too regularly, consistent and large intakes of alcohol can cause liver problems.
• Quit smoking. Smoking is bad for every organ in your body and can lead to a variety of severe health issues, such as lung and throat cancer - it's also expensive!
• Enjoy breakfast everyday - A nutritious breakfast starts your day off right. It not only sets you up so you have energy and fuel for optimal mental and physical performance, but also to maintain stable blood sugar levels and a healthy weight because you are less likely to overindulge later in the day
  

Mental Health

• Join a community group. Being part of a group can boost mental wellbeing by reducing feelings of loneliness and detachment. Try visiting one of our Lighthouse Beacons as a first step.
• Talk to someone. Whether it's family or friends (or even one of our helpline workers), maintaining healthy relationships with peers. You can always call our helpline if you need.​
• Take up a hobby. Engaging in a hobby can be a mental escape, help us hone a skill, or just provide an opportunity to socialise with others. It's also a great way to help us disconnect from work and break away from the monotony of daily life.
• Volunteer. Doing something selfless for others has been proven to make ourselves feel better. We even have our own volunteering opportunities you can join.
• Get a good night's sleep. Sleep is essential to bettering mental wellbeing as it helps us regulate our emotions and ability to socialise. Register for Sleepstation to find out how.
• Adopt relaxation techniques. These can work to slow down breathing, lower blood pressure, and reduce muscle tension and stress.

We're here for everyone who works in the construction industry, and our allied trades, including their families so make sure to reach out to us if you need help; all our support services are completely free. Whether you want advice from one of our trained call handlers, to see how you can help yourself or wish to speak to likeminded people experiencing similar issues, we have an avenue to suit your preference.

24/7 Free Helpline

Self Support App

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