The year is drawing to a close, and it is a good time to review your state of health and set some goals for the new year. Taking action now rather than waiting until January means that you will start the new year on the right foot and have a sense of purpose and control as you navigate through the temptations of the festive season.
Here are some manageable health resolutions that can help men to prioritise their wellbeing in 2025.
Don’t ignore niggling health issues
Research shows that many men do not visit the doctor unless they are already experiencing severe symptoms. This can mean that serious diseases are not diagnosed in the early stages, and treatment outcomes may be less effective.
If you have any niggling health issues, make a resolution to visit your GP in 2025, no matter how trivial they seem or if you feel uncomfortable talking about them. For example, men often avoid discussing their sexual health, particularly issues such as erectile dysfunction (ED).
While ED can be a temporary problem caused by stress, tiredness, or overconsumption of alcohol, if it has been persisting for three months or more, it’s important to see a GP to check if there are any underlying causes. ED can often be an early warning sign of other problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes.
The doctor will also be able to recommend the most suitable ED treatment for you. One of the safest and most effective medications is Viagra, which is cheap to buy in the UK as sildenafil.
Prioritise regular health check ups
In 2025, make a resolution to be proactive about your healthcare, rather than simply reacting to problems as they arise. All adults over 40 in the UK are entitled to a free NHS health MOT, where you will have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels measured, and also be tested for conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes.
In some cases, these check ups may be available at your workplace or at a popup clinic nearby, so you will not need to arrange time off work to attend. Men on average attend these
check ups in less numbers than women, but they are important to identify any issues before they escalate, or to flag up areas that could be improved.
Manage your mental health
There is increasing awareness that our mental health is just as important as our physical health, and sometimes we all need some extra help and support. Men are less likely than women to talk about their emotions or to acknowledge that they are struggling with issues such as depression, stress or anxiety.
Initiatives such as the Movember campaign are helping to change outdated and harmful expectations, such as men should be strong and self-reliant and never show’weakness’. However, it is actually a sign of strength and maturity to be emotionally intelligent and aware.
In 2025, do not let mental health pressures build up, but take proactive steps to manage your mental wellbeing. This could be through meditation, exercise, journaling, or making an effort to see friends more often.
Rethink your diet
It’s easy to slide into bad eating habits if you have a busy lifestyle, particularly at this time of the year. A well balanced diet will improve your energy levels, help to manage weight, and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.
Take it in small stages, such as swapping a sugary snack for a piece of fruit or unsalted nuts, and set a nutrition goal for each month of the year.
Improve physical fitness
Exercise has so many benefits that most of us are already aware of: increased strength and stamina, more energy levels, and protection against weight gain and cardiovascular disease. If there is room for improvement in your fitness levels, set a series of goals for 2025 that strike a balance between being achievable and pushing yourself a little harder.
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