June's Health + Wellness Pulse: Men's Health Month

June is Men’s Health Month, and we’re celebrating with a special two-part edition of the Health and Wellness Pulse! This month, we hope you’ll take Just One Step and schedule a yearly exam for you and/or your spouse or domestic partner.

Your One Step This Month:

Schedule Your Yearly Exam

What does “living well” mean to you, or the men in your life? Whether living well means bringing your best to work every day, spending more time with family or learning new skills, health plays a foundational role in making those things possible. In other words, if you want to live well, it’s important to be well, too.

Yet studies have long shown that men are less likely to visit a doctor or schedule annual exams. This can contribute to a decline in overall health, leading to a lower quality of life. It can also lead to worse outcomes for illnesses where early detection is key.

Regular yearly exams and health screenings can help catch the cancers that most affect men, such as prostate, colorectal, lung and skin cancers. It can also help prevent heart disease, the leading cause of death for men in the United States.

These statistics might seem scary at first, but the good news is that we can change them! Scheduling your yearly exam — which also comes with a $200 Health Savings Account (HSA) incentive for both you and a spouse or domestic partner — is a great place to start.

Kick the Habit! Tips to Stop Smoking

Smoking is a big risk factor for both cancer and heart disease — making it the leading cause of preventable death for men. If you’re ready to quit, here are some tips to help.

Change your environment to reshape your habits.

Sometimes the first step to fixing a bad habit is to change your surroundings — what James Clear calls “environment design.” That means getting rid of all the cigarettes in your home, car or stashed somewhere at work, along with things like ashtrays, lighters or matches. Avoid your “smoke spots” and spend more time in places where you do other activities you enjoy.

Know when and where you’ll be tempted.

Do you have a favorite place to buy cigarettes? Do you take breaks with other smokers? Do you tend to smoke more when you’re out with friends? Be mindful of the things that tempt you to reach for a cigarette and do your best to change up your routines.

Find an accountability partner.

You don’t have to kick the habit alone. Telling your friends, family or partner that you want to quit smoking can help hold you accountable. For long-term accountability, schedule your yearly exam and tell your doctor you’re trying to quit — then commit to being smoke-free between your appointments.

BONUS: Pledge Your Health Habit and Be Entered to Win a YETI Cooler

Open to all, as a special incentive during Men’s Health Month, we’re giving away three YETI coolers. If you’d like to be entered to win, just complete this form and share your pledge to start a new healthy habit this summer!