Topics: Insomnia, Men's Health Week
All men in our lives, whether they are our fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, friends, or colleagues, are precious to us. They are our pillars of strength who support and guide us through every step. So, this ongoing week of June, ending on Father's Day, is dedicated to these men so we can acknowledge their importance in our lives and draw attention to their well-being. Thus, on the occasion of Men's Health Week, let's celebrate men by learning more about this week, its history and its significance. Have a glance!
What is the history of Men's Health Week?
The International Men's Health Week was first observed by six health organizations that are focused on men's well-being. Later, it became official during the second world meet on Men's Health organized in Vienna, Austria, in 2002. The week was officiated to increase awareness in people around the world about the health and well-being problems faced by the boys. By celebrating it, Western Sydney University wishes to bring together communities to work towards the betterment of their lives.
What is the significance of Men's Health Week?
Every year in the middle of June, we commemorate Men's Health Week. The goal of the celebration is to highlight the health challenges faced by the male population. During this time, we seek to draw attention to and spread awareness about the well-being of boys and men. This year the Men's Health Week is falling between 13 and 19 June 2022, and the theme is 'building a healthy environment for men and boys.' The aim is to get people to acknowledge the challenges to the males' mental and emotional health, often overlooked by society.
Importance of creating awareness around the mental health of males
Generating awareness about the mental health of males is crucial as mental well-being problems are still considered taboo in society. People, especially men, do not feel okay seeking professional help if they are depressed or suffering from an anxiety disorder. The situation is not ideal as not getting proper treatment for these problems can hinder their productivity, affect their personal relationships, and cause several health complications.
Adverse effects of poor mental health on men's life
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Mood Disorders:
Males who have a mental condition like depression are often in a bad mood. Some of them report experiencing extreme mood swings, significant tiredness that makes them feel low, and a bizarre detachment from reality that evokes cranky, low, and sad feelings in them. This is not ideal as a bad mood can affect your relationship with your wife and family and ruin things for you.
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Alcohol Abuse:
Experts say that most men who suffer from mental health problems turn to alcohol for support. In an attempt to escape their problems, they intoxicate themselves. But, it is not helpful. Instead, drowning yourself in alcohol only causes more harm. It worsens your mental well-being and even poses a threat to your liver. Also, alcohol abuse ruins your relationships and affects your work productivity.
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Poor Sleep Quality:
Alongside running during the daytime hours, mental health problems also affect the time when you should be sleeping. It is so because sleep problems are common symptoms of mental health issues like bipolar disorder, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. For example, most patients with depression have insomnia and complain of spending their nights tossing and turning in bed. If you are also one of them, try using a dodow that can soothe your racing mind and help you get some much-needed rest.
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Other chronic diseases:
Untreated mental well-being problems can pose a threat to your physical health. Males who do have poor mental health do not eat well and refrain from catching regular exercise. Typically, they are not active, degrading their physical health and causing long-term diseases.
How can we contribute to the cause?
On the occasion of Men's Health Week, each of us needs to recognize the roadblocks to the mental well-being of males. Also, on our part, we must make efforts to contribute to the cause. For this, we need to create an accepting environment and be supportive of the mental needs of men. We should try to normalize for them to talk and seek professional help when needed. Moreover, in order to help them out, we need to ensure that they get proper breaks and don't feel burned out.
Conclusion
We need to ensure the well-being of the men in our lives by raising awareness about the mental health problems surrounding males. We must encourage them to talk about the challenges they face in their day-to-day lives and seek professional help if needed.
Disclaimer: The facts and information contained in this article are obtained from reputed medical research organisations and do not necessarily reflect the opinions & beliefs of ResMed. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content is for informational purposes only, and because each person is unique, please consult a healthcare professional for any medical queries.
