Stakeholders advocate regular exercise, water intake for men to stay healthy

Stakeholders have on Friday in Benin advocated for a regular exercise, water intake, adequate sleep and medical check up for men to remain healthy to increase productivity in their work place.

They speak at an Executive Men’s Wellness Session, with the theme” Men’s Health Matters: Taking Responsibility for a Healthier Future”, organised by Edo State Health Insurance Commission (EDOHIC), in commemoration of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

A Resource Person, Dr Rasheed Abassi, who speaks extensively at the programme, warned men from sitting for too long and avoid excess consumption of salt to avoid prostrate cancer and high blood pressure.

According to him, I want every Edo man to take advantage of the type of governance that they have, number one, health is wealth, we can not just minimised that.

“Go for regular walking, if you walk 15 minutes in the morning and walk 15 minutes at night, its lower high blood pressure, it reduces the risk of hypertension, it reduces the risk of diabetes and prostrate cancer.

“Prolonged sitting is the new smoking, smoking comes with a lot of dangerous factors, let’s avoid salt, salt consumption is killing us, don’t go home after your work and then add salt in everything your wife has cooked or you are eating.

“Because that salt will creates problems, wherever salt goes, water goes, and that water will increase your blood pressure and with blood pressure all other bad stuff comes around,” he said.

Abassi, however, urged all the men in Edo to take advantage of the Edo state health insurance schedule which according to him is currently free to get registered and have access to primary healthcare.

In his goodwill message, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, recommended adequate water intake for men, adding that science has adequately proven that regular water intake is one of the most effective ways to avoid kidney stones

“Today I want to leave us with a simple message, drink more water, relax, exercise eat better and fast wisely, I recommend water fast, it can be proven scientifically that fasting also helps.

“Pay attention to your mental health, socialised, pour out your mind, water is life many health challenges can be reduced by maintaining adequate hydration,” he said.

In her remarks, Dr Augusta Ikpea-Enaholo, the Director General of Edo State Health Insurance Commission (EDOHIC), advocated for a routine health screenings such as blood pressure checks, diabetes tests among others for men to remain healthy.

Ikpea-Enaholo further maintained that prostate examinations, healthy eating habits, physical activity, adequate rest, and effective stress management can significantly reduce the risk of serious health conditions and improve overall quality of life.

A participant, Mr Benjamin Oje, thanked the organisers of the programme for organising an enlightened and educative event that has exposed a lot of participants to things they don’t know before now.