Men’s Health in Lincoln – July 2022

We dedicate two separate features to women’s health and men’s health each year to discuss with local professionals the struggles that women and men face in their health journeys and the available services that can assist them with reaching their goals. Rather than consolidating this information into one feature, we split it up because there are a multitude of health differences between men and women. For example, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, while heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, women are more likely to die following a heart attack than men are. Another example is depression: while women are diagnosed with depression at nearly twice the rate that men are, the disease is far deadlier in men. Examples like these are why it’s important to know health recommendations specific to you so that you can appropriately take care of yourself and know what to look for. Keep reading to learn what our local experts have to say in the area of men’s health.

Natural Supplements

At CBD American Shaman (cbdamericanshaman.com), they offer ultra-concentrated, tespenc-rich CBD oil derived from all natural, high quality industrial hemp. They are U.S. hemp authority certified, which means they follow the highest standards in the industry and that their CBD is the most effective and highest quality hemp oil on the market today. CBD American Shaman’s proprietary nanotechnology makes their products nine times more bioavailable than anything else on the market, which means they are more efficiently absorbed by the body and give you results faster.

“These products support a system found in every mammal’s body called the endo-cannabinoid system,” shared Maxx Claassen of CBD American Shaman’s Normandy Court location. “This system regulates the body’s normal homeostasis. As the environment around us affects our body’s normal state of balance, the endocannabinoid system keeps the body leveled.”

There is a wide range of benefits CBD products have to offer, including an improved mental state, a decrease in minor discomfort, a boost in immune system health, and improved overall health. It also could support joint health, support a healthy cardiovascular system, and is a huge anti-inflammatory. CBD American Shaman offers CBD water solubles, THC water solubles, immunity support water solubles, HHC cartridges, and Delta 9 THC edibles.

“Immunity support is a key product we offer,” said Maxx. “This blend of CBDA, CBD, CBGA, and CBG cannabinoids, along with Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Zinc creates a powerhouse of comprehensive immunity support in water soluble form.”

CBD water solubles are fast-acting and up to 10 times more bioavailable than oil. This allows you to absorb more, helping the benefits of CBD take effect faster. The water solubles are great for cooking or adding to drinks. If you would prefer something such as a topical cream or serum, they have that as well!

“We also have a CBG water soluble, which is our revolutionary blend of cannabinoids that centers in on more energy, alertness, and focus,” Maxx shared. “It has a three-to-one ratio of CBG and CBD. Also, we have researched three specific terpenes that have properties contributing to alertness, energy, and focus.”

To achieve a healthy lifestyle, you have to be conscious of what you are consuming in your day-to-day life. That’s why we recommend shopping at Red Clover Market (red-clover-market.business.site). The full-service health food store offers natural and organic foods and supplements; locally raised chicken, beef, and lamb; bulk foods and spices; teas; shade-grown organic coffees; and much more. Red Clover believes people have a right to healthy and delicious foods that are highly nutritious and free of chemicals, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.

“One lesson I’ve learned over time is this: make your first food of the day healthy,” shared Owner Deborah Wyrrick. “Some things I enjoy are avocado toast, dried fruit and cheese, a smoothie with fresh fruits, full-fat yogurt, and a protein of choice, such as whey, collagen, or plant-based. Even just a handful of nuts or seeds with a banana – it is motivating to finish the day healthy when you start healthy. If you get off track, don’t spend time fretting. Get back to your new healthy way of living and moving!”

Impactful Coaching

The mentality you hold in your day-to-day life can have an impact on your overall health, and Leadership Harbor (leadershipharbor.com) can help guide you to where you need to be mentally in order to see improvements in your total wellbeing. Their leadership coaches will act as your thinking partner to help you make decisions and understand what you can control – as well as what you can’t.

“Oftentimes, men feel like they need to do it alone,” said Kris Petersen, a certified leadership, parenting, family, and youth coach with Leadership Harbor and an executive director with The Maxwell Leadership Team. “However, as your thinking partner, we can help you make those tough decisions and deal with the pressure that comes with it. We won’t tell you what to do, but we will help guide you towards your final decision. This is a part of one’s emotional and mental health, which ultimately impacts physical health.”

Kris explained that when you learn to lead yourself, you become a better leader for everyone else around you, whether that’s family, friends, colleagues, or other peers. By taking the time for personal development, you’ll improve all aspects of your life. Clients of Leadership Harbor have reported up to a 20% improvement in business success after utilizing a thinking partner – and as their coaches say, there’s always room for improvement.

“If you’re curious about how Leadership Harbor can benefit you, we offer complimentary discovery sessions,” shared Kris. “We will work with you to match your time, budget, and goals to help you achieve what you are striving for. And if we don’t have what you are looking for, we will help you find the resources you need.”

Be Tobacco Free with TFLC

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that about 14 of every 100 adult men smoke cigarettes. The Census Bureau reports that 78% of Lincoln’s population of 286,388 is aged 18 or older, and with 50% being male, we can estimate that 111,691 adult men live in our community. Based on the CDC’s statistics, this means that there may be 15,636 Lincoln men who are cigarette smokers. If you or someone you know is a part of this number and would like to work towards living a healthier lifestyle, we encourage you to reach out to Tobacco Free Lancaster County (TFLC, tobaccofreelancastercounty.org) for help with quitting tobacco, educational information, and other beneficial resources.

TFLC is an initiative of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department that aims to promote health by eliminating the use of and exposure to tobacco and e-cigarette products. Their vision is to see Lincoln and Lancaster County as tobacco and e-cigarette free communities.

“Quitting tobacco, no matter the age you choose to quit, is going to be beneficial in improving your health and quality of life,” shared Sophia Yelkin, public health educator. “A common misconception is that electronic cigarettes are a safe alternative and are harmless; however, they contain nicotine as well, and are not an FDA approved way to quit tobacco.”

Similar to tobacco cigarettes, secondhand aerosol from e-cigarettes can be damaging, causing respiratory distress and disease. People who are exposed to e-cigarette aerosol absorb nicotine, and the ultra-fine particles are more easily and deeply breathed into the lungs than tobacco smoke.
“Did you know that quitting smoking can add up to a decade to your life?” Sophia concluded. “It’s not impossible to quit. We are here to help you accomplish that.”

Consistency is Key

Lincoln Running Co. (lincrunningcompany.com) has been locally owned and operated by the same family since 1976, and their mission from day one has been to help people in Lincoln find the right shoes and gear to be fit and to keep them active. They employ compassionate runners – some who are extremely talented, some who are your average runner, some who have run a long time, and some who are new to it, so that any type of runner that enters the store can connect with the employees.

“Of course, we provide proper footwear – but more than that, we offer empathy and knowledge and support,” shared Ann Ringlein, manager. “We really don’t sell just shoes – we impart information on beginning a walking/running program, we help with referrals to medical professionals, we offer advice for the little annoyances bothering them that may be keeping them from exercising, and suggest apparel and good socks (which can make a ton of difference).”

Being consistent when beginning an exercise program is the top thing people can do to ensure that they stick with exercising and improve. The second most important factor, Ann shared, is finding a group to be accountable to. Lincoln Running Co. regularly offers programs for anyone who wants to get moving – whether you’re a skilled runner or just starting out.

“We have the time, the knowledge, the passion, and the empathy to help people get moving,” said Ann. “We want to arm our customers with everything they need to start a running or walking program for themselves. Lincoln Running Co. has everything from the equipment needed – such as shoes, socks, and apparel – to a training program they can take home with them or a walking/running class to sign up for. We take care of our customers from the ground up!”

Ocular Health

Did you know, according to the Cleveland Clinic, that an eye exam can reveal underlying health issues? Some of these issues include diabetes, hypertension, inflammatory conditions, and metastatic cancer. It may come as a surprise, but many optometrists can identify issues such as these through an eye exam, including Lincoln’s own Dr. Dan Novak with Premier Vision (premiervisionlincoln.com).

“The approach I take to ocular health benefits the entire body,” explained Dr. Novak. “We know that our eyes will usually represent a person’s general health. If a person smokes or is in general poor health with diabetes or hypertension, that will reflect in the eyes. By encouraging more preventative care, such as exercise/diet/supplements, we know that the eyes will benefit as well.”

While it’s extremely important to visit the eye doctor for regular checkups, you should also be taking care of your eyes outside of the optometry office, as well. If you partake in activities such as home repairs or construction, it’s wise to wear safety glasses to keep debris out of your eyes. If you have a desk job, then it’s advised to follow the 20-20-20 rule – take a break every 20 minutes to look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Dr. Novak also suggests wearing polarized sunglasses when you’re outside, regardless of what the day’s forecast is.

“It’s extremely important to wear sunglasses that block out 99-100% of both UVA and UVB radiation – even on cloudy days,” shared Dr. Dan Novak. “Sun damage from UV rays can lead to earlier cataracts and put you at a higher risk for age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the U.S. I am a big believer in preventative care, meaning I want to protect my patients now and not wait until a problem arises. NOW is the time to start protecting your eyes!”

Efficient Exercise

Right Foot Forward Fitness (rightfootforwardfitness.com) shared with us three things that men should know when it comes to exercise:

1. You don’t need a large volume of exercise – you need intensity.

2. Don’t look at carbs as the enemy. Quality carbs from quality food sources are necessary.

3. Exercising doesn’t mean you have to be bored stiff. Try lots of different exercises with multiple time domains – have fun with it!

“Right Foot Forward’s varied high-intensity exercises keep men engaged and also helps to combat the signs of aging,” shared Owner Jeff Madsen. “More importantly, it gives them more stamina and energy to pursue the things they’re passionate about. We also offer accountability in the area of diet and food and we support that with recipes, samples, and a food diary if it’s desired. We can come alongside a member and provide as much or as little structure and support as he needs and wants.”

Right Foot Forward Fitness offers a great exercise program, but Jeff also understands that motivation may sometimes be an obstacle in one’s health journey. If you are struggling to find your drive, Jeff suggests taking small steps until you find your rhythm.

“Slow down and break things into more manageable pieces,” Jeff recommended. “We tend to go from zero to 60 miles an hour when it comes to our health and fitness – and then wonder why we couldn’t maintain it for very long. Remember: small hinges swing large doors. Start with small changes to your diet (such as eliminating pop or alcohol) and small changes to your approach to activity and exercise. Look for accountability (this can be a friend or partner). Your health is all about small daily actions, not heroic efforts.”

Sports are a great way to stay active no matter your age or athletic ability, especially if you enjoy a little competition. Golf is a favorite of the Strictly Business team, and it seems that the state of Nebraska agrees: according to the Nebraska Traveler Guide, there are over 200 public and private golf courses throughout our state. Golf is versatile, as you can play on your own or with multiple people; no round of golf is ever the same, offering great variety; and the entire time, you are breathing in fresh outdoor air to keep your mind sharp and mental health in check.

Take your golf game to the next level with a golf cart from Direct Golf Cars (directgolfcars.com), a second-generation, locally-owned family business that has grown throughout the years because of the family’s passion for golf and bringing people joy through outdoor activities. They are a Certified Yamaha Golf Cart Dealer, driven to offer you unparalleled service and expert knowledge in everything golf cart related. When you have a golf cart that is made to fit your needs and playing style, it increases the fun you’ll have while you’re out there on the course – and it can even encourage you to get out there more often!

Start with Small Steps

Daring Minds Therapy (daringmindstherapy.info) is a women-owned small business that Maureen A. DeRyke, PLMHP, PMSW founded with Sarah Worley and Erica Schroeder in 2018. Daring Minds has therapists who are trained and licensed in child-parent psychotherapy, eye-movement desensitization, reprocessing, dialectical behavioral therapy, drug and alcohol abuse, social work, and trauma-related disorders.

Maureen explained that if you’ve decided that you want to take control of your health and feel like you might need some help to get started, set some small goals in your daily life and give yourself time to figure out what works for you, going at your own pace.

“Our mind, body, and spirit communicate with us daily as to what is healthy and what is not,” Maureen said. “However, taking that time to listen to our inner voice can be challenging. Pick one or two things that feel achievable at first before moving on to trying other ideas. If there is something that helps you relax, try to find time to fit it into your day. Try to eat regular meals and have a balanced diet, as this can help your mood and energy levels—and try to establish a routine around bedtime to help set a regular sleeping pattern.”

Get Back on Track

One of the most frustrating aspects of injury and illness is the feeling of restriction—not being able to do what you used to do. If you find yourself in this situation, we recommend visiting the therapists at Husker Rehab (huskerrehab.com). They will use their expertise in Postural Restoration as the basis to evaluate and begin the process of building muscle control and treating the root cause of the problem.

Much like a builder starts with a foundation when building a home, therapists at Husker Rehab begin with a postural exam that starts with the foundation and core of the body, the pelvic girdle and builds from there. Treatment of the postural issues that are underlying in a patient is the key to the success of their practice. Once postural neutral is achieved, the body has a better chance to heal and will respond to therapy methods that promote healing. The use of instruments and modalities such as Graston, dry needling, ultrasound, soft tissue manual mobilizations, electrical muscle stimulation, and a variety of other methods are then utilized to progress healing. Once in proper alignment, a specific program is developed to meet the individual’s needs for posture, stability, and function, in addition to a home exercise program that allows continued progression at home and patient success. Husker Rehab strives to help individuals that come to their facility get back to doing the activities that give purpose to the lives of their patients.

Husker Rehab is proud to serve the communities of Fairbury, Beatrice, Nebraska City, and two locations in Lincoln.

No matter where you are at in life, living a healthy lifestyle can always be accomplished – and sometimes you just need the guidance of some experts. Reach out to these local professionals to get started on your health journey!