As middle-aged men’s physical fitness begins to decline, if they encounter five things, they should not “tough it out.”
Generally speaking, middle age refers to people aged 40-60. During this period, the human body begins to show obvious signs of aging, but there is no exact age marker.
Typically, women mostly start to enter menopause around age 45, with the most obvious sign being irregular menstruation. Men tend to experience this a bit later, around age 50, without clear signs. Of course, due to individual differences, some may enter the fast lane of aging earlier.
As people reach middle age, their physical fitness declines rapidly, and the body’s regulatory functions are not as effective as before. Many people still maintain their previous habits, making it easy to sow the seeds of disease during this period. Especially for men, who tend to be competitive and eager to uphold their reputation. For the sake of pride, they often prefer to “tough it out” in many situations.
As middle-aged men’s physical fitness begins to decline, if they encounter five things, they should not “tough it out.”
1. Do not tough it out when fatigued:
For most middle-aged men, they shoulder important responsibilities and often prioritize earning a living over their health, ignoring their body’s signals. It’s important to recognize that fatigue is the body’s way of signaling the need for rest and recovery. Ignoring regular fatigue without resting will lead to a rapid decline in physical fitness and may result in various health issues.
Recommendation: It’s essential to balance work and rest, taking appropriate breaks before feeling fatigued. If experiencing overall weakness and fatigue, one should not “tough it out.” Additionally, middle-aged men should avoid night shifts, staying up late, or taking on excessive work during this period.
2. Do not tough it out when unwell:
Men often tend to tough it out when sick, avoiding visiting the doctor unless absolutely necessary. Symptoms like coughing, dizziness, fatigue, backaches, and leg pains are often dismissed, but these could be early signs of serious illnesses. It’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly to avoid missing the optimal treatment window. However, if feeling well, one can continue working without worry.
3. Do not tough it out when experiencing “urgent bodily signals”:
“Urgent bodily signals” refer to the urge to urinate, defecate, or pass gas. These are basic physiological functions of the body. Many people tend to hold it in due to various reasons, but this can be harmful to health. It’s important to relieve yourself promptly and not tough it out. Additionally, maintaining good toileting habits is important, avoiding habits like smoking or using phones while in the bathroom.
4. Do not tough it out when thirsty:
Men often neglect to drink water regularly, waiting until they feel thirsty to drink, or sometimes even delaying drinking when thirsty, which is unhealthy. Typically, the body signals thirst when it is already 1% dehydrated. Dehydration reduces cell activity and accelerates aging, affecting metabolism. Therefore, one should not wait until thirsty to drink water.
5. Do not tough it out when hungry:
It’s best not to delay meal times casually, as it may cause gastrointestinal contractions, discomfort, and affect blood sugar levels, which is detrimental to health. Eating meals punctually is crucial for most middle-aged individuals, especially those engaged in physical activities. If meal times are missed, they may feel weak. However, for those with less strenuous jobs who enjoy snacks, this might not be as noticeable.
Overall, regardless of gender, when encountering challenging situations, do not tough it out; eat when hungry, drink when thirsty, rest when tired, see a doctor when ill, taking these steps will bring you closer to better health.
