Ask any dad what he truly wants for Father’s Day, and it’s not the tie or the mug. It’s more summers at the shore, more Sunday morning pancakes, more cheering on his kids from the sidelines, more of those ordinary, irreplaceable moments with the people he loves. That’s why men’s health isn’t just a personal issue, it’s a family one, and this June we’re making the case for why dads need to take care of themselves just as fiercely as they take care of everyone else.
Here’s the reality: men are notoriously reluctant to see doctors, talk about stress, or admit when something isn’t right. Studies consistently show that men are less likely than women to seek preventive care and more likely to wait until a small problem becomes a big one. My own dad is a welcome exception. He sees his doctors, gets his screenings, takes his medication, and does his best to exercise and eat well. He makes time for the people he loves and brings a positive outlook to every day, which is probably why he has made it to 89 years young.
Men, here’s where to start. If you haven’t had a physical in the last year, consider this a very gentle, friendly nudge to make that appointment. Annual checkups aren’t just for finding problems; they’re about maximizing your health and knowing your numbers, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and PSA levels if you’re 50 or older, or 40 if you have a family history of prostate cancer. While you’re at it, make sure colorectal cancer screening is on your radar starting at age 45, or earlier if it runs in your family. That involves either a stool-based test or colonoscopy, the gold standard in colorectal cancer screening. Nobody is lining up to schedule that one, but for people at average risk, colonoscopies are only required every ten years. They save lives, so let’s get over it and just do it.
One of the most effective ways to maintain your health is to keep moving your body. Good news: we live in one of the most naturally active places in the country. We’ve got the beach, the bay, the boardwalk, and more bike paths than we can count. Exercise doesn’t have to be a punishing routine. A brisk 30-minute walk or bike ride most days of the week does remarkable things for your heart, your weight, your sleep, and yes, your mood.
In addition, strength training in a gym or at home at least twice a week becomes increasingly important as we get into our forties and beyond. Muscle mass naturally declines with age in a process called sarcopenia. It starts in our thirties, with losses of up to one percent per year. Resistance exercise slows that down significantly. Guys, you can do bodyweight exercises, use resistance bands or workout with machines and free weights. You don’t need to train like a 25-year-old. You just need to show up.
When it comes to mental health, men need to change their views. Let’s be honest: for a long time, men were expected to “tough it out.” They were told to push through stress, anxiety, grief, and burnout. We now know that approach has real consequences. Men account for nearly 80% of suicide deaths in the United States, and middle-aged men are among the highest-risk groups. Those numbers deserve our full attention.
The good news is that the conversation around men’s mental health is shifting. More men are talking to therapists, joining support groups, and recognizing that asking for help is not weakness, it’s wisdom. If you’ve been feeling persistently low, disconnected, irritable, or just not yourself, please reach out to your doctor or a mental health professional. Symptoms of depression in men can look different than they do in women, often showing up as anger, risk-taking, or withdrawing from the people they love.
Bottom line, small daily habits matter enormously. Sleep, at least seven to nine hours per night, is one of the most powerful health tools we have. So is connection with others. Research on loneliness consistently shows that men, especially as they age, have shrinking social circles. So, make time for the people who matter. Call a friend. Show up for the ones you love.
Here’s the thing about being a great dad, partner, friend, or mentor: it requires you to be here. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s one of the most loving things you can do for everyone around you.
This Father’s Day, in between the pancakes and the backyard catch and whatever movie the family overrules you on, make yourself a small promise. Schedule that appointment. Go for that walk. Have that conversation. The tie and the mug are nice, but more summers at the shore with the people you love? That’s the best gift of all.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, especially my wonderful father, plus the stepdads, granddads, and father figures across the Jersey Shore. We’re cheering for you and we want you around for a long, long time.
