Spring Cleaning: The Men’s Health Checklist
By Scott D. Miller, MD, MBA
As the occasional warm and sunny day comes with those late winter weeks, the anticipation of spring draws us to the outdoors. Although the new year is well underway, spring marks the renewal of our favorite lifestyle activities. But have our good habits hibernated for the winter? Clearing the clutter in our health routines should be at the top of the spring-cleaning list. Here are a few suggestions for your men’s health checklist to start you on your way:
- Set up your annual wellness exam. Remember, it can often take a month or two to set up this lengthy appointment.
- Schedule a dentist appointment. Poor dental hygiene is associated with cardiovascular disease. Your mouth harbors bacteria that—when the gums are not healthy—can travel through your bloodstream and damage the vessel walls.
- Don’t forget about your yearly eye exam. Even if you see fine, your eye doctor can detect early signs of eye diseases before they become noticeable. An eye doctor can also detect early signs of other diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Take inventory of your mental health boosters. Streamline your daily routines, especially at the beginning and end of each day. Also, set aside some time to foster the relationships you have with friends and family.
- Make a good night’s sleep a priority. Spring is also a good time to rotate and clean your mattress per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check your medicine cabinet for expired medications.
- Stock up on sunscreen. Even when the sun is not glaring, we need to protect our skin.
- Buy a pair of new shoes. You don’t realize that your athletic shoes have exceeded their lifespan until you buy your next pair. A new pair will also motivate you to exercise a little extra.
Spending more time outside will hopefully increase your activity level. Now would be a good time to revamp your exercise routine to include a balance of strength, aerobic, and flexibility training. Check all of these boxes on your men’s health checklist, and you’ll be sure to have a spring in your step.
Look for my article on “No Summer Break for Men’s Health” in the next issue.
Scott D. Miller, MD, MBA, is Wellstar’s Medical Director of Urology and of Robotic Surgery. He has practiced in Atlanta for over 20 years and sees patients at Wellstar Urology in Roswell, Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center and Wellstar Avalon Health Park. Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center offers the Know Your Heart Screening that can determine your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions. Call 770-956-STAR (7827) to learn more or schedule an appointment.
