In the early sixties, President John F. Kennedy said,

“We need men who can dream of things that never were.”

His words are still true today, as 92.8% of those who patent new inventions worldwide are men.
Yes, the world still needs men today just as much as it ever did.

Sadly, we live in an age where manhood is attacked publicly. It grieves me to say this, but to be a man in certain sectors of our modern society is to suffer tremendous inequality. This inequality can be seen in what some doctors are calling the silent men’s health crisis.

International Men’s Day will be celebrated on 19 November. The theme this year is ‘Better Heath for Men & Boys’. This year’s International Men’s Day video highlights some strategies to turn the silent men’s health crisis around. Share it on Facebook.

Statistics from the Silent Men’s Health Crisis
(Note: *Australian Statistics are very similar to Global Statistics)

• Globally, men die 6 years younger than women.
• 3 out of 4 suicides are men.*
• 95% of people who die at work are men.*
• Men under 65 are four times more likely to die of heart disease than women.*
• Men under 75 are twice as likely to die from preventable causes than women. *

What are we going to do to turn the tide to bring better health for men and boys in 2020? Men, we are part of the answer. Just like our fellow men who are such good inventors, we must begin to come up with inventive solutions for better health outcomes for men and boys.

We all know that prevention is better than cure and laughter is the best medicine. The easiest and best way to better health is to get ourselves and our fellow men laughing.

In a Daily News article by Helen Dennis titled, ‘Successful Aging: It’s funny how humour and laughter adds to longevity’, Helen said,

“There are several reasons that laughter is associated with long life.
It triggers physical responses in our body that are important for well-being regardless of age.
Here are a few of those responses:

• Laughter boosts the immune system by decreasing the stress hormone cortisol and minimising inflammation throughout the body.  Inflammation has been identified as playing a role in the initiation and progression of age-related diseases.
• Laughter protects the heart and improves the function of blood vessels which can help protect against heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
• Laughter decreases blood pressure and improves blood circulation and oxygen intake.
• Laughter relaxes the entire body, relieving muscle tension and stress.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relief from pain.

It’s no wonder we feel great with a good laugh.

Humour is reported to be therapeutic. The late Norman Cousins, noted author, editor, citizen and promoter of holistic healing, found that laughing at old comedy movies helped cure him of a degenerative spinal condition.  He documented his experience in the book Anatomy of an Illness.

Good health comes when mind, body and spirit are in total harmony. A healthy outside starts from the inside. That’s why our mental health is so important.

Dwayne Johnson said,

“Regardless of who you are or what you do for a living, depression does not discriminate … you gotta talk about it, you’re not alone.”

So, let’s build our friendships and support our mates. For this reason, men’s groups are so important. No man is an island. On the other side of the coin, we need to take time to talk with our doctor. No man is invincible. Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness. It is so important to eat a healthy and balanced diet.

Remember, to enjoy good health, you must exercise. Simple things like walking, riding a bike or even going to the gym will add years to your life. The idea is simple, just keep moving your body.

An article on Live Science, “Exercise Boosts Life Expectancy, Study Finds”, notes:

“Regular, moderate physical activity such as brisk walking can increase life expectancy by several years, even for people who are overweight, a new large study shows.

While higher levels of activity were linked to even longer life expectancies, moderate activity was beneficial, according to the study of people ages 40 and older. The benefit of exercise was seen regardless of people’s weight, age, sex and health conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

For example, obese participants who did moderate exercise for 150 minutes a week lived an average of 2.7 to 3.4 years longer, depending on how obese they were, than those who were obese and did not exercise.

Those who were overweight (but not obese) and did 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly lived 3.9 years longer those who were overweight and did not exercise.

Normal-weight people who exercised for 150 minutes or more weekly lived about 4.7 years longer than normal-weight people who did not do regular moderate exercise.”

As Jim Rohn said,

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”

Do what you can to make International Men’s Day on 19 November 2020 a positive experience for one and all. Check out all the resources on the website.

Let me give the last word to Ellen White, who said,

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men —
men who will not be bought or sold;
men who in their inmost souls are true and honest;
men who do not fear to call sin by its right name;
men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole;
men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”

Lovework
Laugh longer, live in the moment, enjoy your friends, support your mates.

Eat well, but not too much, and move your body as much as you can because it’s the only place you have to live. One more thing! Make sure you wish everybody you meet this coming Thursday ‘Happy International Men’s Day’!

Yours for better health for Men and Boys,
Warwick Marsh

PS: Can you help us get the word out this coming week to support International Men’s Day?
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