Principal

Boys and men often struggle to open and talk about mental health and other health related matters until we are either forced to or something changes in our lives. Sometimes it takes other people to say something for men to act. This was the case for me, with an ever-expanding waistline and not at my best physically or mentally, it took a number of people to comment before I did something about it. Once I got started and began seeing results, there was an incentive to keep going and do more. 

The statistics around men’s health are worrying: 

• Globally, men die on average six years earlier than women, and for reasons that are largely preventable.
• Inactive men are 60% more likely to suffer from depression than those who are active.
• Men who sleep 7 to 8 hours a night have about 60% less risk of fatal heart attack than those who sleep 5 hours or less.

Only 30% of a man’s overall health is determined by genetics; 70% is controlled by lifestyle. This is a great statistic because it means we can do something about it. If most of men’s health issues are caused by lifestyle then what do we need to do? 

If you are looking to improve your health, then you need to change your current habits. However, the human body is very good at resisting change. Instead of shocking your system with a multitude of changes that you might find hard to sustain, make one adjustment at a time. These are sometimes known as microhabits. They are often very small, easily achievable changes that over time will make a big positive difference. 

For example, if you tend to drink alcohol every day, commit to one or two alcohol-free nights each week, then add another night a few weeks later. If you are currently not drinking enough water, commit to just one extra glass a day. If exercise seems too difficult, remember that men who climb 50 stairs or walk five blocks a day may lower their risk of heart attack by 25%. 

Taking time to adapt and integrate these changes into your lifestyle will help you to create healthy habits for the future. That is something you will always be grateful for.

Something I’ve found helpful is to think about my future self, and to plan for that. The choices I make now – whether it is what I eat, how much I drink or how much I move – will impact my future self. This tip, along with many others, can be found at https://www.forbes.com/sites/briannawiest/2018/09/18/22-microhabits-that-will-completely-change-your-life-in-2-years/#7ee6b1731035

If we commit to making even micro changes to how we eat, sleep and move, those alarming statistics might start to move in the right direction. 

Condolence

Please pray for the Doumit family as they mourn the sudden loss of Frances Doumit, mother of Steven (Class of 1980) and grandmother of Edmund (Class of 2017) and Timothy (Year 12).   Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.

Damian Chase

Acting Principal