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This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice or treatment of medical conditions.
Mortality is something Americans don’t like to talk about. We clam up at the thought of dying, even though it’s just as natural as living.
This refusal to talk about mental and physical problems manifests itself in men more than women. Nearly 60% of men avoid going to a doctor for a checkup. They don’t know what’s happening in their bodies, and they are putting themselves at risk. It also means they might have a harder time protecting and providing for their children if they still have dependent kids.
No-exam term life insurance is available from many insurance companies, but you may be forced to pay a lot more to get a policy for your family. Getting an exam will show whether you have any preexisting issues to worry about. If you are completely healthy, you are then less of a risk to the insurance company.
We’ll talk about how important it is to see a doctor for insurance and health reasons. We’ll also discuss how you can maintain good mental and physical health in case you can’t make it to the doctor or are scared to see one.
The Reasons People Fear Doctors
People fear doctors because doctors sometimes deliver bad news. You see a doctor because you need to find out what’s wrong with you. You don’t go in to say hello and chat about your job or the football game. It’s a sterile environment with a serious purpose.
People want to avoid this atmosphere. It typically ends with someone telling you how you are doing many things wrong and that you must change to avoid problems.
This is especially a problem with men because many have pride and ego issues. This is why so many men have mental health problems as well. Men have depression, body dysmorphic disorder, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and many more undiagnosed issues because they feel it’s a sign of weakness to seek professional help.
There are consequences of ignoring your mental state, but because there are no physical issues, people continue to ignore these problems. This leads to dire results when men are diagnosed with chronic or rare diseases.
Men of all ages need to open up and talk about what bothers them. Seeing other people who fear the same things as you do is always a great first step to being emotionally and mentally vulnerable.
We all must work together to create a society that encourages people to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Facing your fears is a daunting process, but it’s made worse by judgments from others. Addressing these stigmas around medicine, masculinity, and mental health will make everyone feel more accepted.
Still, some people may never overcome their fear of medicine and appointments, so how can these people stay healthy if they avoid the doctor?
Keeping Up With Yourself
Not everyone who avoids the doctor struggles with morbid obesity or high cholesterol. Many people just can’t find the time to go. They prioritize their health in different ways, and they think that if they do this they are correct to skip the doctor. What does this look like, though?
Start with routine things. Weigh yourself every so often. Once a week or two is fine. This will let you know whether you are staying at a healthy weight.
Brush your teeth. Dental health is important, too. Things like oral cancer can be avoided with attention to what is happening in your mouth and a good routine with your gums and teeth.
Check your blood pressure every so often at the grocery store or pharmacy. It takes a couple of minutes to sit down and get a reading. You can track your steps with a smartwatch, and these devices also give you things like your vital signs, heart rate, and more. This makes it more convenient for you and more comfortable.
The environment of a pharmacy, doctor’s office, etc, is a huge reason why people are afraid or get anxiety surrounding checkups. Making small lifestyle changes and using more personalized technology at home makes the whole process feel a lot less overwhelming.
This lets you know you are staying active and doing the right things to stay healthy. Eat fewer desserts and go for a bike ride on sunny days. Sign up for a gym membership and take advantage of the variety of activities they have to offer.
Doing these small things may also make you feel more comfortable going in to see the doctor eventually. Many people aren’t attentive to their health, and this is why they avoid evaluations.
Good habits will lead to more confidence. This will trickle down to other aspects of your life, like protecting your family. Because adults, especially men, view themselves as providers, they are more likely to take care of themselves if it will help their loved ones. Using this family-centered perspective should motivate men to see the doctor.
Life Insurance and Seeing the Doctor
Having a good physical appearance and staying on top of your health will help you get better life insurance prices. Many insurance companies will want to test you thoroughly to see whether you have any issues before issuing a policy. Others may let you avoid this step if you seem to be physically healthy.
Getting life insurance is the responsible thing to do no matter what age you are. Even young people can have an accident that leaves their family with no provider. Talk to a life insurance provider about whether they want you to get an exam before they issue a policy.
Your life insurance rates may be higher for you because there is more risk without an exam, so shop around for the best deal. Show your life insurance company you care about your health with many of the good habits listed in the above paragraphs. This will help ease their apprehensions about avoiding an exam.
Whatever your views or fears are when it comes to going to a doctor, everyone would be better off if they looked to the future and their health. Don’t be afraid of your death. Embrace what time you have on this planet by protecting your body and staying healthy.
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Shawn Laib writes and researches for the life insurance comparison site, QuickQuote.com. He wants to help people understand the positives of taking care of their health by overcoming the stigma around aging.
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