One of the areas that many feel warrants a little more attention is men’s health and wellness. This is especially true since many men are reluctant to seek medical help — even for a regular physical or preventative visits. As a result, it is extremely important that men have access to information about remaining healthy. The Internet offers a number of resources aimed at men’s health and wellness. Here are 50 essential sites that can help men keep up with their health:

General Information

Find general information on health issues faced by men, as well as suggestions for improving health and wellness.

1. Womenshealth.gov: It may seem a little odd to go looking for men’s health information on a site geared toward women, but the government offers health information on wellness in a variety of categories of men’s health.
2. WebMD: One of the premier names in reliable health information, WebMD also has a section devoted entirely to men’s health.
3. Medicine.Net: This is another well-known health and wellness site. And it, too, has an entire section devoted to health issues faced by men.
4. Medline Plus: This is a government site offered through the National Institutes for Health. As you might expect, the “Men’s Health” section addresses wellness issues of concern to men.
5. Men’s Health Center: This section of HealthSquare.com focuses on health issues and concerns related to men.
6. About.com: Get good information on men’s health and wellness from a knowledgeable guide.
7. Men’s Health: This site is the official homepage for Men’s Health magazine.
8. Natural Nurse: This site offers information about living a health lifestyle the natural way, and includes information on men’s wellness.
9. Manifest: This is a Portland, Oregon community focused on helping improve men’s wellness. Helpful information and articles for those who do not live in the Portland area.
10. Details for Men: This popular men’s magazine includes a section on wellness at its online home.

Sexual Health

One of the biggest issues for many men is sexual health. You can get a handle on your sexual health issues with help from these sites:

11. AOL Health: This site offers information on sexual health and how to maintain it.
12. HealthCentral.com: Get a look at men’s sexual health information and issues in a practical, real-world way.
13. Men’s Sex Health: Learn about different issues related to male sexuality and health.
14. MSN Health & Fitness: There is a section on men’s sexual health, with articles addressing issues such as libido and safe sex.
15. Healthy Aging: This section on healthy aging from the Mayo Clinic’s web site looks at men’s sexual health above the age of 50.
16. Health.com: Offers a look at sexual dysfunction in men and how it can be treated.
17. HealthInsite: This site from the government of Australia offers some helpful information and resources for men’s sexual health.
18. Intellihealth: Get good information on midlife sexuality from this site that focuses on intelligent health decisions.

Mental Health

One very real issue that is difficult for many men to deal with is mental health. Here are some web sites that can help with mental health for men.

19. About.com: There is a specific section in the Mental Health section at About.com that focuses on mental health issues of import to males.
20. AskMen.com: Great information on mental health for men, and resources for increased wellness.
21. American Psychological Association: The web site for the APA publication Monitor on Psychology offers some insight into men’s mental health needs.
22. National Institutes of Health: There is a series on depression in men that can be of benefit in terms of overall wellness.
23. Medical News Today: Offers an interesting look at the men’s mental health crisis.
24. MentalHelp.net: This web site can provide a number of helpful resources for anyone — including men — who are looking for mental health help.
25. NAMI: The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers information and resources on mental health in general, and includes specific information on men’s mental health.
26. WHO: The World Health Organization has some solid information about general mental health, including men’s mental health issues.

Fitness

Physical fitness and wellness is essential to successful health. Here are some web sites that can help you improve your fitness level.

27. EveryJoe: This men’s web site has a specific section on health, which deals mainly with fitness, exercise and weight loss.
28. Men’s Fitness: The online home of Men’s Fitness magazine provides a great deal of helpful information on working out and staying physically fit.
29. Fitness Online: Get practical, helpful hints on weight loss and health workout routines.
30. Suite 101: Find a number of great exercises for men over the age of 50.
31. Men’s Total Fitness: Get reviews on exercise equipment, and learn about the basics of exercise and nutrition.
32. Bullz-Eye.com: The Fitness Channel at Bullz-Eye.com provides helpful information on exercise to help you work out more effectively.
33. Health & Fitness Tips: Get basic information on tips that can help you maintain better physical fitness.
34. LifeTips: These exercise tips form LifeTips.com can help you learn to exercise more effectively, and learn how your body functions during a workout.

Nutrition

Making sure that your body gets proper nutrition is an essential part of health and wellness. Here are some web sites that focus on men’s nutrition:

35. Personal Nutrition Guide: Includes a section on how men think about nutrition, and how men can improve how they think about their diet.
36. Discovery Health: There is a special section on Discovery Health where men’s nutrition questions are answered.
37. Brown University: Find information and resources about diet and nutrition as they relate to men.
38. NAFWA: The Nutrition and Food Web Archive offers a handy place to find some helpful information about men’s nutrition.
39. HAP.org: Nutrition information for men, including a handy chart with serving sizes and food suggestions for a healthy diet.
40. Reader’s Digest: You can find some great information on “super foods” for men here, as well as get other general information on men’s health.
41. Squidoo: A whole section is available on men’s nutrition tips and hints.
42. Young Men’s Health: This web site, as you might surmise, is aimed at helping young men develop healthy nutrition and fitness habits.

Senior Health

Aging can be difficult, even for men. Bodies change, and different health and wellness needs emerge. Here are some sites that can help you with aging concerns:

43. National Institutes of Health: The NIH offers great information on remaining healthy while aging.
44. C-Health: This web site offers a number of helpful articles on the basics of remaining healthy and maintaining wellness as you age.
45. Eons: This is an online community for those over 50 who are looking to connect with others, as well as find information on aging and maintaining wellness while doing so.
46. AFAR: This site helps you understand the challenges of aging, and how to reduce them.
47. Fit-Senior.com: Get fitness information and exercise ideas for exercising over the age 50.
48. Men’s Journal: This offers helpful information on a number of topics related to men, including health and aging.
49. American Health Assistance Foundation: Learn about common diseases that are likely with aging, and how to combat them and take control of your health.
50. AgeNet: A helpful resource for those who are interested in learning more about aging and doing so with a healthy lifestyle.

We all hear about how going green is good for the planet, and that we should be taking good care of the Earth. However, we rarely hear about the importance of going green on our health. Much of the debate focuses on issues like global warming and environmental sustainability. But going green isn’t something that only benefits the Earth. There are very real benefits that you can enjoy as far as your health is concerned. Here are 25 health benefits of going green:

Reducing Energy Use and Using Alternative Energy

Much of our energy comes from fossil fuels that can cause a number of problems beyond global warming. When we reduce our energy use, and when we use alternative energy, there are some tangible health benefits that come along with the territory.

1. Breathe easier. Pollution can enhance asthma and allergies. It is also linked to lung cancer. Going green can help clean the air space, and improve your ability to breathe.
2. Heart healthy. Some of the particulates in the air that come from pollution caused by fossil fuels can actually contribute to heart disease and other cardiac issues. Reducing pollution with greener energy practices can actually help your heart.
3. Infectious diseases. The spread of infectious diseases can be exacerbated through global warming as the by-products of our energy use are released. You can help slow the spread of pandemics by reducing your energy use.
4. Reduce acid rain. Pollution from industrial energy use, as well as home energy use that creates increased demand, can cause acid rain. Indeed, since the implementation of the Clean Air Act, the incidence of harmful acid rain has been reduced.
5. Let in the sun. Instead of relying wholly on artificial lighting, you can let in the sunlight. Open your shades and let natural lighting help you reduce your energy needs and let the sun’s health benefits help you. Natural lighting helps your calcium absorption, and there have been studies done on the helpfulness of natural sunlight on your mental health and mood.
6. Worker deaths. Energy production with fossil fuels results in hundreds of worker deaths each year. Oil rigs and coal mines are notoriously unsafe and damaging to worker health. Increasing green energy use could mean that jobs in safer, healthier environments could replace the dangerous and dirty jobs related to fossil fuels.

Changing Your Transportation Habits

The way you get from point A to point B can have an impact on your health. Changing your transportation habits can actually help you improve your health, in addition to reducing the pollution that harms the Earth.

7. Ride your bike. Riding your bike to work can provide you with good exercise. This exercise can lead to increased heart health and a number of other benefits, including weight loss.
8. Take the bus. If you are not quite up to riding your bike to work, you can take public transportation. This will cut down on pollution, and it will give you some exercise as you walk to and from your stops.
9. Meet other people. Social interactions can help us stave off depression. You can improve your mental health when you interact with neighbors as you ride the bus or carpool.
10. Increase your productivity. Make the most of your commute with public transportation. This can help you get more done on the commute, since you won’t be driving. And when you are more productive, you have more time at home to relax and be with your family, allowing you stress reduction and increased mental wellness.
11. Work from home. If your company will let you, you can reduce pollution by avoiding a commute altogether. Working from home can put you at ease, save you time, and prevent you from being exposed to unhealthy air.
12. Enjoy nature. Biking or walking to the bus stop can give you an opportunity to interact with nature. Being outside, and seeing plants and small animals can actually help improve your health. Contact with nature can enhance mood, reduce mental fatigue and increase concentration.

Buying Local Food and Avoiding Pre-Packaged Food

In addition to activities that can reduce pollution directly, going green can be done through how you eat. You can increase your health by choosing foods that are greener, and by buying local foods.

13. Avoid pesticides. Pesticides on foods that are not certified organic can cause sickness and other health issues. When you choose produce that is organically grown, it is better for the environment, and for your health.
14. Stay away from pre-packaged foods. Not only do pre-packaged foods use materials and energy, but they are often full of excess sodium and sugar and empty calories. Avoiding pre-packaged foods not only helps the environment, but it can also help you improve your health by reducing your intake of things that cause obesity, heart disease and cancer.
15. Drink non-bottled water. Bottled water uses resources and energy. Additionally, chemicals from the plastic bottles can leach into water and cause health problems. Drink more water, but get it filtered from the tap and make use of special rated reusable water bottles.
16. Get produce locally. One of the best things you can do for your health is buy local produce. Produce from far off is often picked before it is ripe. Some studies suggest that allowing produce to ripen on the plant increases its nutrient content.
17. Reduce meat consumption. The amount of energy used to bring meat to the table is rather large, and contributes to pollution and environmental degradation. Additionally, the over-consumption of meat can lead to health problems in humans. Cut back your meat consumption to something more moderate, and you will see a reduction in heart disease, obesity and other health problems.
18. Wild caught and free range meat and fish. Wild caught fish and free range chickens and grass-fed cows are usually raised with more environmentally sustainable methods. Additionally, organic meat and eggs are often not infused with hormones, while having an increase in some nutrients. This can contribute to your health, by helping you avoid chemicals and hormones, as well as create leaner meat that is healthier.

Household Products

What you have in your home can impact your health. Many of the products and chemicals we use in the home are not only bad for the environment, but also harmful to our health.

19. Avoid harmful fertilizers. What you put on your lawn can affect your health and the health of the environment. Rain can wash the chemicals into the water supply and they can seep into the ground. Additionally, if you are not careful, you can get the chemicals on your body and in your food if you get your garden. Use environmentally friendly fertilizers, or use organic means, such as mulching, to help keep your lawn healthy.
20. Stop using harmful insecticides. Like fertilizers, insecticides can cause health problems. You can increase your health — and your children’s health — by stopping the use of these insecticides. There are recipes for environmentally friendly insecticides, and other products that can help you control pests.
21. Clean with healthier household cleaners. Many cleaning products that you purchase at the store have harmful chemicals. These can cause headaches, respiratory problems and enhance other health issues. You might notice a difference when you stop using these chemicals and replace them with non-toxic household cleaners, some of which you can use at home.
22. Consider your paint: Many paints release compounds into the air of your home that can be harmful. Choosing high-quality paint for your home’s interior, with a low-incidence of volatile organic compounds can help you reduce headaches and breathe easier.
23. Use different diapers. There are estimates that viruses can live in disposable diapers up to two weeks. Sanitation can be a real issue. Additionally, infections and diaper rash can affect the health of you baby. Using cloth diapers instead for most needs can reduce environmental impact and help the health of your baby.
24. Be wary of plastic containers. Some studies suggest that contaminants found in some plastics can cause fertility issues and other health problems. Storing your food in these containers can be damaging to your health, just as their production is damaging the the environment. Use environmentally friendly containers for food storage and reduce harmful effects to your health.

25. Your financial health. Finally, going green can be good for your wallet. You can save money by making your own household products, as well as save money on transportation costs when you adopt green practices. And, of course, when you are physically healthy, you save money on insurance and medical expenses.