Between balancing a busy schedule, keeping up with a demanding workload, and still managing to find time to spend with family, it can be all too easy to allow health to become an afterthought.

However, maintaining men’s health should be a priority – and it doesn’t need to be difficult or time-consuming. In fact, just a few simple changes to your lifestyle can make a huge difference. When it comes to health tips, men should focus on eight key areas – such as exercise, nutrition, supplements, sleep, and healthy relationships. Ready to learn more? Check out our healthy tips for men that can help you discover how to be healthy and happy at any age.

1. Get moving

Exercise plays a big part in men’s health. So, if you don’t already make time in your schedule for regular movement, we recommend starting now. Here’s why – as you age, it can be harder to jump into a HIIT workout class or tag along with your neighborhood running group for the first time. That’s because blood vessels stiffen, blood pressure increases, and blood may become thicker and harder to move throughout the body. When you start exercising earlier in life, you not only create those healthy habits and routines (which can make it less of a mental challenge), but you can also help protect the body from the effects of aging.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services recommends strength training at least twice a week and partaking in at least 5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise per week. As a part of your routine, it can also be beneficial to include balance training and stretching, which may help make functional movement easier as you age and lower the risk of a fall. If you’re starting from scratch, consult a doctor or a trainer to develop a routine that is right for you.

2. Schedule regular doctor’s visits

Make it a habit of seeing a doctor at least once a year and as needed in between. An apple a day, while filled with fiber, phytonutrients, and other healthy features, is no substitute for regular checkups. Seeing your doctor each year develops a baseline, allowing them to notice any changes early. If you’re feeling like something is off, call. Don’t wait for your next checkup.

Depending on your medical history, some common medical tests regarding men’s health include:

• Blood pressure screening – at least every two years
• Cholesterol screening – every five years beginning at 35
• Colorectal cancer screening – every year beginning at 45
• Diabetes screening – every three years beginning at 44
• Prostate cancer screening – beginning at 55

3. Eat a balanced diet

Everyone knows it, hardly anyone achieves it: You should eat at least five servings (400 g) of fruits and vegetables each day from a variety of color categories. Each color offers different phytonutrients. Men should especially include reds – beets, berries, tomatoes – because they support prostate health along with heart and DNA health. As simple as it may sound, healthy eating can have a huge positive impact on men’s health. Looking for healthy foods to eat and how much should you be eating of each? The United States Department of Agriculture recommends that moderately active men should aim to consume the following each day:

Calories: 2,400
Carbs: 130 grams
Fiber: 38 grams
Protein: 46 gram
Fat: 20-35% of calories

4. Consider supplements for men’s health

So, what might happen when you hit your daily nutrient targets with supplements? Over time, you may experience:

• Hair growth when boosting your iron levels
• Stronger bones with the help of vitamin D
• Regular heartbeat with support from calcium
• Better night vision thanks to vitamin A
• Faster-healing wounds due to adequate vitamin C intake

But, we get it. No matter how hard you try, sometimes busy lifestyles make it difficult to get all the nutrients you need from the food you eat. Supplements can help fill the nutrient gaps left empty by your diet.

Sometimes the biggest challenge with supplements is remembering to take them. That’s why one of our top healthy tips for men is to take vitamin packs, like the MyPacks supplements from the Nutrilite™ brand. They come in convenient, pre-portioned sachets that are easy to throw in your gym bag, backpack, or even your pocket.

5. Don’t smoke or use tobacco

Whether it’s cigarettes or their electronic counterparts, tobacco products can cause health problems in almost any part of your body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking can increase the risk for coronary heart disease and stroke by two to four times and cancer by 25 times. If you currently choose to smoke, we understand that quitting can be a challenge. We recommend speaking to a healthcare professional to figure out the right plan for you. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to an expert, the CDC has plenty of free resources to assist in your journey.

6. Make sleep a priority

Over the long term, sleep deprivation can impact men’s health by affecting metabolism and increasing the chance of gaining weight. Remember: You’re not being lazy when you sleep, you are being healthy. If you’re struggling to create healthy sleep patterns, consider the following tips to stay healthy and get some quality sleep:

• Rethink your drink: Your favorite afternoon coffee might be to blame for your sleep struggles. But, so could the beer you had with dinner or even the soda you sipped on while watching TV. That’s why one our healthy tips for men is to simply opt for water, low-sugar flavored sparkling water, or caffeine-free teas instead.
• Listen to your body: While you may be tempted to stay up and watch the last half of the football game, if your body is feeling tired after the second quarter, it’s time to head to bed. Fighting the urge to sleep can make it harder to fall asleep when the time finally comes.
• Create a sleep routine: Scrolling on your phone and watching TV at night may be keeping you up. But, so could working or exercising late. Activities that stimulate the brain – like those involving bright lights or even those that are stressful – may keep your mind running at a mile per minute. Try to transition to relaxing activities an hour before bed – be it reading a book, journaling, or taking a hot shower.
• Be consistent: Our bodies love routines, so if you consistently go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, your body will likely adapt. Make sure your sleep window is at least 7-8 hours long to support your body’s rest and recovery.

7. Establish a skincare routine

When your skin feels good and looks good, you are more likely to feel confident and content, so skincare regimens are not just for women. Men’s skin is different from women’s and there are products out there just for you, like the Artistry™ Men line from Amway.

But, how exactly do they differ? For starters, men have a higher sebum (oil) content, which often results in more oily skin that prone to clogging. That’s because sebum is linked to testosterone (a sex hormone), and if you know a thing or two about men’s health, then you should know that men have a higher amount of testosterone compared to women. Similarly, men may have deeper wrinkles and more facial sagging in the under-eye area. That’s why it’s so important to find skincare products specifically formulated for men.

8. Cultivate strong relationships

There are multiple benefits to having a strong social network, including ready access to support and comfort when you need it. In fact, great relationships are so impactful on our health that without them, you may increase your risk of premature death by 50%. Why are strong relationships so beneficial, you ask? They can help relieve stress, which can positively affect your internal systems (like your gut, insulin, and immune health). So, consider calling your family more often or meeting up with friends when you can – your body might thank you.

Prioritize your health today

Put these health tips to use and see how much better you feel. To learn more about the Nutrilite™ or Artistry™ products mentioned here, visit the websites for Amway US or Amway Canada.