4 important conversations to have these holidays

For many of us, the festive season is stacked with work dos, catch-ups with mates, and celebrations with family. That means plenty of time for chit-chat. Instead of remarking on the weather or what you got up to over the weekend, these are great opportunities to cover some important topics with your nearest and dearest.

It’s time to make discussing men’s health as natural as talking footy tactics so, if you’re stumped for conversation starters while tending to the snags, here are some ideas that will do your wellbeing a world a good.

Normalise healthy habits

COVID-19 and physical distancing restrictions have seen a dramatic slide in routine testing — the pathology sector saw a 40% drop in testing earlier this year, with an estimated 60,000 Australians missing out on potentially life-saving tests. In May, the Prostate Cancer Foundation reported a 60% drop in the number of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests in the eight weeks prior, compared to the same time last year.

If you’ve put off an appointment this year, book yourself in as soon as possible (even if it’s just a routine check-up) and encourage the other men in your life to do the same.

Make mental health a more comfortable topic

Blokes make up an average of six out of every eight suicides every single day in our country, with LGBTQI and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at even higher risk.

There are many factors that play a role in the higher risk of suicide for men, but depression, and how they deal with it, is one of them. It might feel uncomfortable checking in on a mate but sucking up the temporary awkwardness can make all the difference in the long run.

Find out your family health history

Sure, you might have a vague idea of what illnesses your family has faced but how much do you really know about your hereditary risk factors?

Understanding your family health history is important as it’s one of the strongest influences on your risk of developing diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Even though you can’t change your genetic makeup, the knowledge can help reduce your risk of developing health problems through screening tests and lifestyle changes.

Reach out to someone who might be struggling

Not everyone finds the festive season merry and bright. For some, it can be a time when feelings of loneliness and isolation can be more intense than ever. New research suggests that the pandemic has worsened the already alarming state of loneliness in Australia, with one in two Australians reporting they feel lonelier since COVID-19 began.

Loneliness has far-reaching consequences for our physical and mental health, with research finding it can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and even early death.