8 Things men should be doing but they don’t

Women seem to have mastered the basics of a healthier, better life but it seems their male counterparts are still in the dark. It is no wonder then that women enjoy longer lifespans than men. Want to improve your life? Here is a list of what you ought to be doing but aren’t.

Spending time with your family: Time is the best gift a man can give his family but most men don’t realise this. It’s good to work; it’s good to have time with friends but always give your family priority. Make time for them; handle some tasks together as this will help you connect with them hence creating a strong bond. Remember, a man’s success is measured by what his wife and children say about him. Money and accomplishments mean nothing if you let your home fail.

Go for regular check ups: Research by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US shows that most men only visit a doctor when they are sick. On the same token, studies show that many diseases can actually be treated if detected early hence the need for regular medical checkups. Men need to know that their well-being is not only important for them, but to their family too.

Speaking out issues disturbing them: No man is an island and life is no smooth sailing. There are stormy seasons as well as good seasons. We need friends to share our good and bad moments with. Don’t be fooled that being a man is learning to solve your issues without involving others. Each one of us needs a shoulder to lean on when things are not going on well. Sometimes the answers we are in much need of in life are with the people we relate with daily.

Accept defeat: Rarely do men accept defeat but we all need to agree that at one point in life we will fail but that doesn’t mean we are failures. If you are not good at one thing, you are good at another. You don’t have to kill yourself to achieve a certain goal and if it didn’t happen this time, that doesn’t mean it will never happen. Marian Wright, an American activist, defined failure as just another way to learn how to do something right.

Consult: Many men have a know-it-all attitude and rarely do they consult when embarking on projects. Consulting doesn’t make you an idiot. It’s true you have a good idea but consult before you embark on it as this will help to minimise risks. Most of the times people who consult never go wrong as you get variety of ideas on how to implement projects.

Show concern for others: A lot of men want to be taken care of but they don’t want to take care of others. Being caring allows you to have empathy for others and to live a life based on affection, love, and compassion for the people around you. And you don’t have to sacrifice much to show love; love is in the small things you do to others. Real men take care of their families, colleagues and friends.

Check expiry dates on items: This should be no brainer really but if there is one thing men never do is to check expiry dates on items. They quickly cart away items on supermarket shelves and it is no surprise they would gobble down expired food without realising it. This would only become evident from the aftermath, which would be a running stomach. At home, leftovers will be left in the fridge for days on end only to be consumed when they have already gone bad. This is not good for your health.

Take breaks: Men rarely take breaks while working, which is detrimental to their health. Taking regular breaks during work hours not only increases one’s productivity, but also relieves stress and fatigue.  Moreover, they help relieve eyestrain symptoms especially for individuals who use computers and laptops. Take holidays to catch up with family and friends, as well as cure burnout for a healthier life.

Published April 2017…