Each year in the middle of June, Men’s Health Week draws attention to health issues men face and promotes ways to achieve better physical and mental wellbeing. This year, Men’s Health Week focuses on Healthy Habits. At Windana, an important part of what we do is exploring the many ways adjusting lifestyle habits can help the body and mind achieve better health. This Men’s Health Week, our Naturopaths have prepared some tips for healthy habits that we can all try!

Eat nuts and seeds!
Nuts and seeds contain the nutrient zinc, which is important for healthy bones, skin and vision.

Choose a wide variety of colourful fruits and vegetables.
The more colour means a variety of different nutrients that can be helpful toward reducing chances of chronic diseases.

Book in with your doctor.
Have you had a check in the last year? (Tip: you can search for Bulk Billing doctor in your area at this link: www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services/guided-search/general-practice).

Have a walk with a buddy.
Walking and exercise is a great social outlet, and can increase happy hormones in the brain.

Open up to a friend.
A problem shared with the right person (or people), at the right time and with the right intentions, is a problem halved.

Swap the red meat for a piece of fish once a week.
Fish contain Omega 3 fatty acids which can promote good heart health (one of the key health issues for men in Australia). Bonus points if it’s salmon!

Take a different route to work.
The brain needs some spontaneity to keep fresh! Go ahead, take the scenic route.

Want better energy and work out at the gym?
Make sure you’re eating green leafy vegetables. Green leafy veg (like spinach, kale, silverbeet) can help with producing nitric oxide in the body which can make you feel more energised and strong.

More information

Here are a selection of resources you can check out for ideas on creating healthy habits, and for increasing men’s health in general.

• 10 Facts about exercise + men’s health booklet (Australian Men’s Health Forum)
• Breaking old habits and starting new habits (article by MensLine)
• Self-care toolkit with info on goal setting, sleeping, problem solving and setting boundaries (MensLine)
• The Healthy Male website – a provider of information on men’s health, with articles, factsheets and stories about many health issues that men experience.

Below are some hotlines and services you can reach out to, keep in mind or share with a friend.

Brother to Brother
Phone support for Aboriginal men.
PH: 1800 435 799
www.dardimunwurro.com.au/brother-to-brother

Lifeline
24-hour crisis support for anyone.
PH: 13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au

MensLine Australia
Phone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men.
PH: 1300 789 978
www.mensline.org.au

Q Life Australia
QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
PH: 1800 184 527
www.qlife.org.au