Celebrating Movember; 3 healthy things real men can do for overall wellness

A common phrase we’ve heard before is “man up” or “be a man”. Well, what does that actually mean? It means to be fearless, to face things head on. To not cry when things get tough and to keep your emotions in check. To be the alpha in the room.

But it’s 2021 and that definition of a real man is inaccurate. It can be harmful, and even have adverse effects on men’s health.

Society’s idea of what it is to be a man has changed over the years, more so recently. With the rise of breaking down female stereotypes comes along a similar wave of awareness surrounding the same for males. Movember (November) is celebrated globally to raise awareness about men’s overall health. To commemorate, we discuss three beneficial things real men can do to help improve their wellbeing.

1. Get rid of unrealistic standards

There is a certain standard expected of men in society and what they should be. This involves toxic masculinity, defined as “ideas about the way that men should behave that are seen as harmful”. It’s a narrow definition of what real manhood is and glorifies unhealthy habits to have.

Common examples are men shouldn’t cry or show weakness, or that self-care is for women. As men, it is normal to have to appear strong and it’s “not cool” to have to step back and focus on your well-being. There are expectations to be “tough” when really, you should be able to behave outside the prescribed gender role without the fear of being mocked. Real men are diverse and don’t fit into a narrow list of characteristics. It can become harmful in the long run and create unnecessary implications, especially when self-care and health is involved.

Efforts by society as a whole is needed to resolve such an issue, but consciously reminding yourself that these are old-fashioned standards can help reduce the pressure to behave a certain way, which allows room for you to be yourself and be happier.

2. Talk and spend time with supportive loved ones

Studies have shown that men are less likely to reach out for help but there’s no need to put on a brave front all the time when faced with stress, mental health or physical issues. Research has shown that there’s a link between social support and various aspects of health and wellness. Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is speaking about our problems. It’s human to share your feelings and it also takes courage to voice out.

Surrounding yourself with people who can support you and provide a safe space for you to be vulnerable is vital in creating an environment for you to thrive in.

There’s enough pressure from society for men to be who they’re “supposed” to be, and it can prevent you from being your true authentic self. You should be able to define your male identity for yourself, and express that in ways with loved ones who makes you happy without compromising your holistic health.

 3. Take care of your health 

This tip may seem simple but it is an important reminder to have. According to research, the life expectancy for males is unfortunately 5 years less than females in Singapore. There are various contributing reasons but one is that generally, men tend to skip regular checkups compared to women. This actually affects the chances of recovery and it can be avoided!

That’s why something like the Movember movement exists. It aims to raise awareness surrounding men’s health, in hopes of them living healthier, longer and happier lives. Prostate cancer is one of the health issues that Movember focuses on. It’s a fitting disease to talk about as unsurprisingly, a big killer in Singapore is cancer. Prostate cancer, the third most common cancer in males here, has increased five-fold! The second most common cause of death in Singapore is heart attack, and there’s a difference in incidence rates in genders too; men are 3-5 times more likely to get coronary heart disease.

Health is one area that we should never compromise on. You shouldn’t have to appear strong and ignore signs of what your body needs. If you pay attention to it and attend to what it needs, you could be stronger in the long run!

On top of taking care of yourself physically and mentally, another way is financially. Preparing yourself for any loss of income or financial burden due to critical illnesses helps remove an added stress. For FWD Big 3 Critical Illness, it not only covers cancer and heart attack, but also stroke.

You can get it for as low as 1/3 of the price of a regular critical illness plan¹ and it’s a simple yet comprehensive plan that offers a one-time 100% cash payout upon a claim, allowing you to focus on recovery while your financial commitments and loved ones are well-taken care of.

It’s even easier to get protection with no need for a medical examination! Just one simple health declaration will do.

Head to FWD website to check out the latest promotions! Getting protection is simple with FWD, and you can easily get an FWD Big 3 Critical Illness insurance quote.