Men’s Health Awareness Week

This year’s Men’s Health Awareness Week has a special focus on COVID-19 with the set of challenges it presents to mental health and physical well-being. Now, more than ever, we must...

• Heighten awareness of preventable health issues in men of all ages.
• Support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and activities.
• Encourage the early detection and treatment of health issues in men.

With physical distancing becoming a major practice in our world today, it is vital to be able to monitor our physical health in our own home environments. Our mental health also needs to be a priority at this time as routines have been disrupted.

There are many things you can do to help look after your mental and physical health while in lockdown.

Blood Pressure Monitoring is something that can easily be done at home with our Medicare Lifesense blood pressure monitors. Hypertension (elevated blood pressure) is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases. If you suffer from hypertension, it is important to monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis. Home monitoring can help keep tabs on your blood pressure in a familiar setting, make sure your medication is working, and help you alert your doctor to potential health complications.

Engaging in healthier lifestyle choices and activities can also make a big difference in lowering your blood pressure level as well improving your overall physical and mental health. These changes can also help with coping better with lockdown and COVID-19 as for many people it has caused uncertainty, disruption, and a sense of fear.

Tips to help look after your mental and physical health: 

• If you eat a well-balanced diet, you will have a better chance of lowering your blood pressure and decreasing the risk of heart disease. Eat your 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, introduce oily fish into your diet as this is high in Omega-3 and use less salt.  
• Get active for at least 30 minutes a day five days a week. Getting moderate-intensity activity is great for raising endorphin levels, reducing stress, and getting some headspace.
• Get the recommended 8-9 hours of sleep a night, this will significantly improve your mood.
• Spend time with friends to help relax and reduce anxiousness. There are plenty of ways you can keep in touch, whether that’s online or in-person as long as you are following the governments advice.
• Reduce alcohol and cigarette intake.

 For more information on minding Men’s Health during COVID-19, visit

• https://www.mhfi.org/
• https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/mental-health/covid-19/minding-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak.html

Download our Medicare Lifesense App to help track all your activity. Lifesense can measure blood pressure, weight, activity, and sleep. The app provides instant access to your measurements and allows you to track or share your data to help you stay on top of your health.