It’s Men’s Health Week this week. It’s a time for health and healing. Healing can require listening and learning while finding balance in mind, body, and spirit. The healing journey can be different for each person, but here are a few common tips that can help you get or stay on track:
Move More. Try getting 60 minutes of activity everyday. This is one of the best things you can do for your health, not only during #MensHealthMonth but everyday.
Eat Healthy. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables have many vitamins and minerals that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol. Try following an ancestral diet. This means eating wholesome, natural, organic Indigenous foods – just like our ancestors did for thousands of years.
Connect with Culture. In tribal culture, “traditional healing” refers to traditional practices that correct imbalance and promote harmony and personal healing. Traditional healing practices include consulting with elders, bringing family groups together, giving social support, prayer and song, removing dangerous spiritual influences, dietary remedies, herbal remedies, participating in ceremony, and seeking assistance from those recognized in the community as helpers.
Stress Less. Sometimes stress can be good. However, it can be harmful when it is severe enough to make you feel overwhelmed and out of control. Take care of yourself. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Find support. Connect socially. More on stress>>
Take time for your spiritual well-being. Whether you turn to traditional culture, an organized religion, or to a higher power in a more personalized way, if you have a sense of connection to something larger and more meaningful than self, it can be helpful in times of stress and hardship.
Stay on Top of Your Game. See your doctor or nurse for checkups. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help identify issues early or before they can become a problem. Encourage our uncles, cousins, friends, elders, dads, grandfathers and all men to have regular wellness visits with a health care provider. Many health issues are preventable if caught early. Find a health center at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
Learn more about steps men can take each day to improve health at cdc.gov/men/nmhw
