Men's Health Month in June shines a spotlight on men's health issues, advocating for better lifestyle choices and regular health check-ups.

Although the month has passed, the message it carries remains vital. Men's health isn't a concern confined to a single month; it's a year-round commitment that requires constant attention and effort.

To delve deeper into the topic, I had the opportunity to speak with Gulf Coast Media Sports Editor Cole McNanna. We discussed the critical importance of men's health, and McNanna shared some practical tips on how men can stay healthy and avoid falling back into harmful habits.

Men often ignore unusual symptoms and hesitate to visit the doctor, according to Healthline. When asked, McNanna agreed this tendency to be true.

"In general, yes, I do feel like it's treated as 'Something we'll get to later,' until it gets too worse and it's too late," McNanna said. "Going to the doctor regularly will help the professionals keep an eye on you and compare your test results over time. Knowing your family's medical history is important to stay updated on the proper screening tests to be done at the right time."

This neglect of health can lead to serious issues, including heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death among American men. Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to maintain heart health. According to McNanna, staying active throughout the day is simpler than it seems.

"Without medical expertise, I've found that even just walking gets my heart rate going and it's as simple as parking a little farther away from the door or taking the stairs instead of the elevator," McNanna said. "Any excuse to keep active and keep my body moving, I'm going for it."

Breaking unhealthy habits is challenging for everyone but essential for long-term health. Strategies to overcome these habits include setting realistic goals, seeking support and gradually replacing unhealthy behaviors with healthier alternatives.

According to McNanna, figuring out what habits you want to stop and why are the best places to start.

"Identification is sometimes half the battle, but it feels like it boils down to assessing what you want to cut out and finding the positive change you do want to make. Whether it's eating healthier or getting to bed at a standard time to get your morning started right, finding a rhythm and routine can be a great step to filling your day with positive habits."

In South Alabama, the intense summer heat, sun, and humidity present unique challenges. Men who work outdoors or in hot environments, such as attics, must take extra precautions to protect themselves. Proper hydration, sunscreen and strategies to stay cool are crucial to preventing heat-related illnesses.

McNanna, who frequently attends high school sports games outdoors, shared his methods for staying cool and protecting his skin.

"I have found that staying hydrated is a simple way to fight the heat. Sweating is going to happen no matter what, so replacing the lost fluids seems to help," McNanna said. "I try to wear more breathable clothing when I can to take advantage of any breeze that comes my way but yes I am a big fan of sunhats and sunscreen as well."

Speaking of sunhats and sunscreen, skin cancer is a significant concern, but prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among American men after skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
McNanna, whose father beat prostrate cancer due to early detection, has been actively involved with the Movember Foundation for the past decade, raising awareness for prostate cancer and other forms of men's health.

"Every year, I grow my beard for 11 months and shave it off on Nov. 1 to start growing my mustache and raising funds for prostate and testicular cancer, as well as mental health and suicide awareness. Over 5 million Mo Bros and Sistas have helped the Movember Foundation raise over $1.3 billion in 20 years, funding more than 1,250 men's health projects."

McNanna's participation in Movember can be seen annually on the Gulf Coast Media Sports Facebook page, where he encourages others to join in raising awareness and funds.

"This year will be the ninth time I'll ditch my beard to do my part in changing the face of men's health," he noted.

Balancing a hectic schedule is challenging for a sports editor constantly on the move. Adequate rest and nutritious eating are essential for maintaining physical and mental health. I asked McNanna to share his approach.

"I'm definitely not the best at keeping a regular sleep schedule but I have been getting better about listening to my body and finding the limit to where I know I need to rest before I can do more work," McNanna said. "Sometimes that leads to a nap for lunch even though I got eight hours of sleep the night before, but the work always gets done at the end of the day.

"Also, in listening to my body, food can sometimes be the bridge that gets me through a long day. If I am at my house, I lean on my air frier pretty regularly to get some frozen chicken strips done quickly and then some instant rice I can microwave for an easy chicken and rice dish. I've been incorporating some frozen vegetables into my meals as well, similarly popped in the microwave and done in a few minutes. I am a big fan of cheese and crackers as well as trail mixes for snacks to provide a little energy throughout the day."

Even though Men's Health Month has ended, the need to prioritize men's health continues. By taking small but consistent steps, men can ensure they are taking care of their health throughout the year, not just in June.
According to McNanna, supporting each other is another essential step in improving men's health.

"Be there for the men in your life. Sometimes all it takes is a quick hangout session to get someone out of a funk or open up an opportunity to share news or feelings."

For more information and resources on Movember, visit www.movember.com or donate directly to McNanna's page at www.mobro.co/colemcnanna. Additional resources for men's health can be found at www.menshealthmonth.org, which also offers toolkits and resources for women's health.