Wonderful Foreplay Technique

Although sex activity is a fun activity, but it can be a boring thing. Getting fed up with the routine of sex could be due to you or any couple no longer feel the challenge. Boring sex life could also be because no longer do foreplay fun. In order for your sex life peaked yet, try some of these foreplay techniques.

1. 'Sex Game'
Sex games can build sexual desire and improve sex in later life. You can do sex games like smearing your body then close their eyes and start playing with him told him to look for strawberries that you have put on erotic point. You can do this game in turn.

2. Tell Your Sexual Fantasy
Women tend to feel ashamed to tell your partner about their sexual fantasies. Though sexual fantasy element is essential for sexual health. Before he goes to the office, say the couple, what you want and wait for the action in the evening. Expressing sexual fantasies is important, because sex also need communication.

3. Play Fantasy Character
Everyone has their own sexual fantasies. One of the best foreplay ideas is a partner and play a character you like. Suppose you and your spouse wearing nun wearing police. That way, your sex drive can be re-heated.

4. Sexting
For more heat your bed scene tonight, do foreplay all day. Try to send each other naughty text message flirting partner. Send a message starting with just simple sentences such as' I can not wait for tonight. "

5. Replace atmosphere
If indeed you have more budget, there is no harm in occasionally rent a hotel for the night. But if there is no budget, there is a bedroom which can still be used. It's just dressing room atmosphere by giving a few touches, like using satin sheets and candles aromatherapy.

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Erectile Dysfunction

Are you shying away from women just because you are coping with erectile dysfunction?

Is erectile dysfunction or dysfunction erectile impotence, stressing you out?

Erectile dysfunction is not a recent ailment. It has existed since ages. Yet it's only now that people have become more aware about it.

Erectile dysfunction is more of an emotional problem than a physical problem for men. Erectile dysfunction is most commonly referred to as ED. In simple terms means the repeated inability of men to get or maintain erection throughout the intercourse to attain sexual fulfillment.

Erection requires a precise sequence of events, and when any sequence is disrupted it leads to dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction usually occurs due to damage of nerves, arteries or smooth muscles. Defective lifestyle pattern such as smoking, obesity, excessive consumption of liquor, avoidance of physical activity can also contribute to ED.

Sensory or mental stimulus or both initiates erection. The brain and local nerves send impulses which lead the muscles of the corpora cavernosa to loosen up, permitting blood to flow in and seal the spaces. The blood generates pressure in the corpora cavernosa, in turn expanding the penis. The tunica albuginea helps lock in blood in the corpora cavernosa, thus sustaining erection.

Erectile dysfunction symptoms can be enumerated as:

• Inability to have erection while masturbation or while having sex with your partner
• Inability to maintain erection firm enough for sexual intercourse
• Inability to maintain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse.

Physiological factors such as vascular disease, diabetes and many more are main causes of erectile dysfunction. Apart from physiological factors, psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, guilt can also lead to erectile dysfunction. In fact psychological factors amplify the physical factors.

As per the studies ED generally occurs among men above or in the age group of 40-65. Never the less, it should not be considered as an inevitable part of aging.

ED can be treated at any age. With the advancement of medical science, medications have evolved in order to treat erectile dysfunction effectively. Though, these medications may vary from individual to individual.

The market is flooded with a gamut erectile dysfunction drugs such as Cialis, Viagra, Levitra. These drugs work on the same principle, to increase the blood flow into the penis and thus sexually stimulate men and causing an erection. The best part is that all these drugs are FDA approved oral prescription. A prior consultation with a doctor recommended.

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Tips Sex | Benefits Of Sex For Your Health

Many people are dissatisfied with their sex lives, and the majority of them report not being able to find time for sexual expression. Whatever the cause (fatigue, children, work, etc.), it is possible to find time to engage in sexual activity whether with a partner or alone.

Unfortunately, our society tends to be alarmist about sex and emphasizes negative factors such as disease, unwanted pregnancies, or pedophiles. But sex is about pleasure. Sexual expression has many positive physical, intellectual, emotional, and social benefits. Below is a list of findings from the scientific literature.

Physical Wellness

• One of the strongest correlations to youthful appearance is an active sex life.
• Sexual activity burns calories and fat, and it has been suggested that people with active sex lives tend to exercise more frequently and have better dietary habits than those who are less sexually active. Likewise, physical fitness can improve sexual health.
• People who remain sexually active live longer.

Disease Prevention and Management

• Your chances of having heart problems decrease if you stay sexually active. This is due to higher levels of oxytocin, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that is produced during arousal and orgasm.
• In men, high frequency of ejaculation (more than 21 times per month) is related to a decrease in the risk of prostate cancer.
• Research has shown that sexual activity and orgasm may bolster the immune system in women and men.
• Sexual activity and orgasm during menstruation has a potentially protective effect against endometriosis.
• Studies have shown that the quality of sperm motility decreases with abstinence. In healthy men these declines can take effect after only five days of abstinence.
• Women who continue to be sexually active after they reach menopause, with a partner or through masturbation, are less likely to have significant vaginal atrophy and are more likely to report sufficient vaginal lubrication.

Emotional Well-being and Relationship Improvement

• Sexual experience and satisfaction are closely correlated with overall quality of life. They increase your sense of well-being and personal satisfaction.
• Sexual activity is negatively correlated with the risk and incidence of psychiatric illness, depression, and suicide.
• Sexual activity and orgasm reduce stress.
• Consistent mutual sexual pleasure increases bonding within a relationship. It has also been demonstrated that coupled partners have increased relationship satisfaction when they fulfill one another's sexual desire.
• Sexual satisfaction is also associated with the stability of relationships.
• A study of young married women found that those who reported masturbating also reported greater marital satisfaction.

So the next time you hear something negative about sex, remember that there are far more positive and life-affirming truths.

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Body Language Secret You Should Know

Even when you don't say a word, other people can still learn a lot about what kind of person you are and what you are thinking and feeling.

How do other people do this? By studying your body language.

The term body language refers to the messages you send out with your body gestures and facial expressions.

Some body language experts claim that only about 7% of our messages to other people are communicated through the words we speak. The rest of our messages are conveyed through our body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions.

During your entire life you have been sending messages to others through your posture, gestures, and facial expressions.

When you were an infant, before you learned to speak, people were peering into your little baby face, looking at your gestures, and listening to your little cries and gurgles, trying to decipher what kind of mood you were in, and what you were trying to say.

And you have been reacting to the body language, voice tone, and facial expressions of the people around you all your life, even though you may not have been consciously aware of it.

What sorts of messages are you conveying to others with your body language? Does your body language encourage other people to approach you? Or do you subconsciously warn them to stay away?

Take a moment to think about how you usually stand or sit when you are with other people. What are you doing with your hands? Where are you looking with your eyes?

Does your face express interest in the people you are with, or does your face stay a tense, stony mask?

When you are sitting or standing, do you usually cross your arms across your chest? If this is your typical way of standing or sitting, how do you think other people interpret this posture? Did you realize that most people will subconsciously interpret your arms crossed in front of your chest as a signal that you don't want anyone to approach you? Only the bravest souls are likely to come forward when you adopt this posture.

If you stand awkwardly, with your chest slumped forward, your shoulders drooping, and your eyes avoiding everyone else, people are likely to decide you are very depressed or completely lacking in confidence. They may fear that trying to talk with you will be an awkward experience.

When you stand awkwardly, you do not project any sign that you are confident in yourself, or that you have any interest in the people around you. Instead you look like you are trying to disappear.

No matter how desperately you want someone to come over and befriend you, if your body language projects awkwardness or disinterest in others, it's not very likely that many people will try to start a conversation with you.

If some body language signals can frighten people away, are there signals that will encourage people to come forward and approach you? Yes, you can look much more approachable to others if you adopt body language that is open and non-threatening.

Whether you are sitting or standing, aim for a posture that is upright and alert, yet relaxed. If you notice that your chest or shoulders are slumping, straighten up.

Become aware of the way you are breathing. Does your breath move in and out smoothly? Or does it move with jerky little stops and starts?

If you notice that you are holding your breath, or breathing in a shallow, jerky manner, this is a sign of anxiety. When you breathe shallowly, you have to breathe more often, which can increase your appearance of nervousness. Consciously tell all the muscles of your body to relax. Use your abdomen to help you breathe smoothly and deeply. Let the bottom part of your lungs fill up with air as well as the top.

What are you doing with your hands? If you get nervous in social situations, you may feel that no matter what you do with your hands, it's the wrong thing. Many people who cross their arms in front of their chest are probably doing so at least in part because they don't know where else to put their hands.

You should never cross your arms in front of your chest unless you really don't want anybody to approach you. That is the message this gesture sends out.

If you want to look open and approachable, keep your arms at your sides, or put one hand in your pocket. If you want to hold something in one hand, keep your hand at the side of your body, and not in front of you. Holding your arm in front of your body can be seen as a signal that you want to defend yourself against other people.

Stay aware of and focused on your surroundings and the people around you. If you find yourself tuning out your surroundings, you will start to focus too much on your negative inner sensations and thoughts. This can quickly increase your anxiety to a very uncomfortable level.

What sort of facial expression should you have if you want people to approach you?

In most cases, a gentle, pleasant smile should do the trick. Too much of a smile that never softens can look forced and nervous. A pleasant smile with a twinkle in your eyes will convey to other people the impression that chatting with you will be a pleasant experience.

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Health | Medical Test For Men

Medical screening tests are a great way to keep on top of your health. Think of them as basic maintenance, just like checking the oil and tire pressure to keep your car safe on the highway. To keep it simple, we've compiled a list of the most important medical tests every man should have -- along with what age to start and how often to repeat. Here's to routine maintenance for your health.

1. Cholesterol screening/lipoprotein profile

Cholesterol is a type of fatty protein in your blood that can build up in your arteries, so knowing how much cholesterol is present is a good predictor of your risk for heart disease. There are two kinds of cholesterol: HDL, or high-density lipoproteins, and LDL, or low-density lipoproteins. Confusingly enough, HDL is "good" and protects against heart disease, while LDL is "bad" and poses a risk to your heart.

Your total cholesterol reading combines the measures of both and is used as an overall reading; 220 is the magic number that you want to stay beneath. In addition, the profile measures triglycerides, which are fats in the blood that can also block arteries; you want them below 150 milligrams per deciliter.

What it is: A blood test for cholesterol, measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dl); usually measures triglycerides at the same time

When to start: Age 20

How often: Every five years. If testing reveals your levels are high, your doctor will recommend retesting every six months to one year. If you have risk factors for heart disease in your family, the regular cholesterol test may not be specific enough; ask your doctor for an additional test called the lipoprotein subfraction test. It's more sensitive and checks the size of the cholesterol particles as well as the amount.

2. Blood pressure check

It seems simple, but checking your blood pressure regularly is one of the most important things you can do to protect your present and future health. One in every five adults, totaling 50 million people, has elevated blood pressure, also known as hypertension. When your blood pressure readings are higher than the cutoff of 140/90, it puts stress on your heart, leaving you at risk for heart attack and stroke. Many experts believe 120/80 is a healthier target to shoot for.

What it is: A physical reading using an arm cuff

When to start: Any age; best to begin during childhood

How often: Once a year if readings are normal; your doctor will recommend every six months if readings are high or if you're taking medication to control hypertension.

3. Diabetes Screening

To check your risk for diabetes, doctors check your tolerance for glucose absorption, which means how readily your body digests sugar.

What it is: A blood draw performed after drinking a sugary drink; a fasting glucose tolerance test requires you not to eat for nine hours prior to the test.

When to start: At age 45 if you have no risk factors or symptoms. If you're significantly overweight, have high blood pressure, or have other risk factors for diabetes, such as family history of the disease, it's a good idea to get tested younger. If your insurance doesn't cover it, free testing is available at most major chain drugstores.

How often: Every three years

4. Bone Density Test

The loss of bone strength, called osteoporosis, afflicts nearly 10 million people every year, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Surveys show that men see osteoporosis as a "woman's disease," but this is a misconception. After age 50, 6 percent of all men will break a hip and 5 percent will have a vertebral fracture as a result of osteoporosis. As we age, minerals such as calcium begin to leach from bones, weakening them and leading to osteoporosis, which literally means "porous bone."

What it is: A specialized X-ray called a DXA (dual-energy X-ray) screens your spine, hips, and wrists as you lie on a table.

When to start: At age 65, everyone should have a DXA. But men who have risk factors for bone loss, such as being thin, taking corticosteroids, or having a history of fractures, should talk to their doctor about being screened now.

5. Vitamin D test

Recently, doctors have realized that vitamin D is a key nutrient that helps maintain strong bones and protect against cancer, infection, and other health conditions. For example, a study last year found that men with low levels of vitamin D had a higher incidence of heart attack. Most men have no idea if they're D-deficient or not, though a simple blood test can tell. If you live in a northern climate, work indoors, or don't drink a lot of milk, chances are your vitamin D level is low. If so, your doctor will recommend taking a vitamin D supplement.

What it is: A blood test, often done along with the cholesterol and lipid panel, to check the level of vitamin D in your blood. You want your reading to be between 30 and 80 nanograms per milliliter, though some experts argue that 50 nanograms should be the lowest level considered normal. Many experts recommend the 25(OH)D3 test as providing the more accurate measurement.

When to start: Age 40; sooner if you have signs or risk factors for osteoporosis. As we age, our bodies become less efficient at synthesizing vitamin D from the sun, so after the age of 40 it's more likely that you'll become D-deficient. Also, if you have any signs of low bone density, such as a fracture, your doctor will want to test your vitamin D along with your bone density.

How often: Although vitamin D testing isn't yet required or listed on the official schedule of recommended tests, more and more doctors are recommending it as an annual test after age 45.

6. Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy

Colorectal cancer, which is cancer of the lower part of the intestines, is curable in 90 percent of all cases -- as long as it's caught early. And screening tests that look inside the colon, called colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy, are the secret to catching it early.

Unfortunately, this still isn't happening as often as it should. Currently, 39 percent of cases are already stage III or IV when discovered. This test is considered so lifesaving that news anchor Katie Couric allowed hers to be presented on live TV as an educational campaign to raise awareness after her husband died of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer for men, after lung and prostate cancer, so it's important to take it seriously.

What it is: An examination of your colon using a tiny scope and camera, which are inserted through the rectum. A colonoscopy can see the whole colon, while a sigmoidoscopy can see only the sigmoid, or lower section of the colon.

When to start: Age 50 for those with no risk factors. If, however, you have a first-degree family member who's had colon cancer before the age of 50, begin colonoscopy screening when you're ten years younger than the age at which your family member was diagnosed. If a family member was diagnosed at 45, for example, you should have your first screening at 35.

How often: Flexible sigmoidoscopies should be repeated every five years, and a colonoscopy should be repeated every ten years. A computerized imaging technique called virtual colonoscopy is gaining popularity at some medical centers, but many doctors still consider it experimental and some insurers, including Medicare, don't cover it.

7. Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

Although it sounds otherworldly, the word occult simply refers to the fact that this test checks for blood in the stool that's not visible to the eye. This is the least invasive screening tool available. A chemical solution is used to test a stool sample for the presence of blood, which can indicate intestinal conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, or colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer still strikes more men than women -- more than 50,000 men are diagnosed with the disease every year.

What it is: A stool sample test that looks for blood in the stool using a chemically treated pad that turns blue in the presence of blood. Three stool samples are collected on consecutive days, since cancer and other conditions may not bleed consistently.

When to start: At age 50; your doctor may suggest it earlier if there's cause for concern about intestinal conditions.

How often: Yearly after age 50

8. Skin cancer screening

Skin cancer, while less deadly than some, is the number-one cancer diagnosed among Americans. And men are at higher risk for skin cancer than women, something most men don't know. While most types of skin cancer are easily treated, one type, melanoma, can be deadly. Skin cancer is relatively easy to detect as long as you bring any suspicious areas to the attention of your doctor.

What it is: An examination of your skin, particularly moles, lesions, or other areas that are changing or growing.

When to start: Any age

How often: Experts recommend conducting a personal "mole check" once a month in the shower to look for unusual growths or changes to existing moles. If you notice anything suspicious, call your doctor. Many communities offer free skin cancer screenings, usually held at drug stores or clinics. They're often held in May, just as the summer season begins and people start to expose more skin.

9. Eye exam and vision screening

Whether you have problems seeing at a distance or close up, you need regular eye exams as you age to check the overall health of your eyes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that by the year 2020, 43 million Americans will have some type of degenerative eye disease, yet surveys show that more than a third of adults fail to get regular eye exams.

What it is: A vision screening tests how well you can see; an eye exam checks for glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinopathy, and other eye diseases. Make sure you're having both kinds of exams.

When to start: Age 18

How often: Every one to three years between the ages of 18 and 61, says the American Optometric Association; after that, as often as your doctor thinks is necessary depending on what's happening with your vision. If you have diabetes, you're at much higher risk for eye problems and should be checked more often.

10. Hearing Test (Audiogram)

Fourteen percent of adults between ages 45 and 64 have hearing loss, and by the age of 60 one in three adults is losing hearing. Men are at highest risk for all types of noise-induced hearing loss, the most common type. Yet many men go years before getting tested, primarily because hearing tests are voluntary. You and your doctor have to decide that you need a hearing test and request one.

If you notice problems following conversations, missed social cues, or an inability to distinguish people's speech from background noise, ask for a referral to an otolaryngologist to check the condition of your ears, and an audiologist to check your hearing.

What it is: A series of tests to assess different aspects of hearing. Tone tests are used to measure your overall hearing, while additional tests check inner and middle ear function and evaluate your ability to register speech.

When to start: When you or others notice problems

How often: Hearing tests are voluntary, but the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends hearing tests every ten years for adults up to the age of 50. After that, experts say, you should have a hearing test every three years.

11. Thyroid test

The thyroid, a small gland in your neck, regulates your body's metabolic rate. If your thyroid is overactive, a condition known as hypethyroidism, your metabolic rate is too high. Symptoms include insomnia, weight loss, and overactive pulse. If you're hypothyroid, it means your thyroid is underactive and your metabolism will be slow and sluggish. This usually leads to fatigue, constipation, and weight gain. While more women than men are hypothyroid, that doesn't mean men can't be -- and in men, hypothyroidism can cause some upsetting side effects, such as erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, and ejaculation problems.

What it is: The most common test, the TSH test, is a blood test that measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone. The desired level is between 0.4 and 5.5. However, many experts believe testing thyroxine (a hormone made by the thyroid) directly with what's called the T4 test is a more accurate way to assess thyroid function.

When to start: Age 35

How often: Once a year, says the American Thyroid Association. Other doctors don't recommend a thyroid test for midlife adults unless you have symptoms of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. After the age of 60, thyroid testing is usually conducted annually.

12. Screening for metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms that put you at increased risk for both diabetes and heart disease. The screening involves checking for a list of issues and, if they're present, recommending additional tests. Doctors consider men to have metabolic syndrome if three of the following five risk factors are present:

Waist circumference greater than 40 inches

Low "good" cholesterol (below 40 mg/dL)

Elevated triglycerides (greater than 150 mg/dL)

Blood pressure higher than130/85

Fasting glucose above 100 mg/dL

If three or more of these apply, ask your doctor for an additional screening test called the C-reactive protein (CRP), which many experts think is the best way to monitor heart health risks.

What it is: A blood test that measures an inflammatory marker for plaque buildup

When to start: Age 50

How often: Every three to five years, along with cholesterol and diabetes screening.

13. Testicular cancer screening

Lance Armstrong brought testicular cancer to national attention, but many men still don't know the signs of this disease. With early detection, a man's chances of survival go up by a whopping 90 percent, so it pays to be vigilant. While testicular cancer is rare, it's the most common type of cancer in younger men, ages 15 to 34.

What it is: A self-exam or doctor's exam for tumors in the testicle. The doctor (or you) rolls each testicle slowly between thumb and forefinger, looking for any hardened areas or lumps and checking to make sure there haven't been changes in size.

When to start: All ages

How often: The Livestrong Foundation recommends that all men do a self-exam every month for testicular cancer. Sometimes a man's partner is the first to notice signs of testicular cancer. At the first sign of concern, call your doctor and ask for an examination. Your doctor may also recommend an ultrasound or a blood test for tumor markers that can indicate testicular cancer.

14. Prostate cancer screening

Not the favorite of most men, the digital rectal exam is a lifesaver because prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, affecting one in six men. A second test, called the PSA test, is used to look for elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen. While the PSA test has come under fire for producing a high number of false positives, it's still the best first-line blood test for prostate cancer.

What it is: A digital rectal exam in which the doctor inserts a finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland, and a blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen.

When to start: Age 50, according to the American Cancer Society, unless you have symptoms such as difficulty with urination. In that case, see your doctor for a prostate cancer exam at age 45.

How often: Every year

15. Bladder cancer screening

Men, particularly Caucasian men and men who have a history of smoking, are at an elevated risk for bladder cancer. In the early stages, bladder cancer can be symptomless, and in these cases a test is the only way to detect it. There's a good reason to be vigilant about bladder cancer: If caught while still localized, it has a cure rate of 95 percent. While routine bladder cancer screening is not yet recommended, talk to your doctor if you're Caucasian and a smoker.

What it is: A urine test that looks for small amounts of blood in the urine not visible to the eye

When to start: Age 50, if you have a history of smoking

How often: When your doctor recommends it. Another test recently introduced checks the urine for a marker called NMP22; this test is expected to come into wider use in the next few years.

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10 Myth About Masturbation

Masturbation is a natural sexual practice. In fact, May is known as National Masturbation Month. Still, many are raised believing certain s about masturbation said About.com. Here’s a look at the truth.

  

#1: Masturbation is for the young.

Masturbation is a lifelong sexual activity. About.com reported surveys regularly show 70 to 95 percent of adult men and women masturbate.

#2: Masturbation causes blindness, acne, hair loss, chronic fatigue, hairy palms or cancer. 

Not true. In fact, doctors say masturbation has medical benefits, wrote Seventeen.com. It can relieve stress, insomnia, headaches, PMS and menstrual cramps.

#3: Masturbation isn't real sex.

When people masturbate, they can get really aroused, which can result in very real orgasms, said About.com. From a health perspective, masturbation is as “real” a sexual activity as intercourse, oral sex or kissing.

#4: People in relationships don’t masturbate. 

WebMD reported people in relationships actually masturbate more often than those who aren’t.

#5: Men have to masturbate; women don’t. 

While most statistics show men masturbate more than women, said About.com, there’s no evidence suggesting this is due to a male biological need.

#6: Masturbation ruins how other kinds of sex feels.

Planned Parenthood wrote masturbation can help other kinds of sex feel better, not worse. It’s about discovering what touching and sensations work for each individual. And it helps learn how to orgasm.

#7: Only certain kinds of people masturbate.

Not true according to About.com and WebMD. Masturbation is not for the "simple-minded," the antisocial, or the immature. According to DivineCaroline.com, people with healthy attitudes towards sex are likely to masturbate at least occasionally.

#8: It's more acceptable for boys to masturbate than girls. 

Social attitudes toward female masturbation are much more negative, and this likely impacts women’s early masturbation, said About.com.

Seventeen.com wrote that whether girls masturbate or not depends on their personal beliefs, but every girl has the same right as a boy to explore her body in a safe way without feeling shame. Planned Parenthood added one study showed women who masturbate have higher self-esteem than those who don't.

#9: Masturbation causes sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Only skin-to-skin contact or a transmission of bodily fluids from an infected partner can spread an STD, wrote Seventeen.com.

# 10: Frequent masturbation affects a woman’s fertility or man’s sperm production. 

Masturbation is a completely safe sexual practice said DivineCaroline.com. It doesn’t have any negative impact on reproductive function.

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7 Most Health For Men Over 40

 

During midlife and beyond, men's leading causes of death include familiar standbys: heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease, suicide, and Alzheimer's disease.

To lessen your odds of dying from these killers, curb the critical habits that lead to them.

• Being Single

Numerous surveys have shown that married men, especially men in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, are healthier and have lower death rates than those who never married or who are divorced or widowed. Never-married men are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease, for example. After 50, divorced men's health deteriorates rapidly compared to married men's, found a RAND Center for the Study of Aging report.

What's the magic in the ring? The social connectedness of marriage may lower stress levels and depression, which lead to chronic illness. (Women tend to have more social ties outside of marriage.)

Problem: Unmarried men generally have poorer health habits, too -- they drink more, eat worse, get less medical care, and engage in more risky behaviors (think drugs and promiscuous sex). Exception: It's better to be single than in a strained relationship, probably because of the stress toll, say researchers in Student BMJ.

Silver lining: It's never too late. Men who marry after 25 tend to live longer than those who wed young. And the longer a fellow stays married, the greater the boost to his well-being.

• Electronic Overload

Psychologists are debating whether "Internet addiction disorder" is a legitimate diagnosis, and how much is too much, given how ubiquitous screens are in our lives. But one thing's certain: The more time that's spent looking at wide-screen TVs, smartphones, tablets, gaming systems, laptops, and other electronics, the less time that's spent on more healthful pursuits, like moving your body, communing with nature, and interacting with human beings.

Social isolation raises the risk of depression and dementia. And a sedentary lifestyle -- a.k.a. "sitting disease" -- has been linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and premature death. A 2012 Australian study of more than 220,000 adults ages 45 and up linked sitting for 11 or more hours a day with a 40 percent increased risk of death over the next three years.

Problem: Americans spend five hours in front of the TV every day, according to a 2011 JAMA study that didn't even take all those other screens into account. More than just three hours a day ups your odds of dying of any chronic disease.

Silver lining: The Australian researchers say that getting up and moving even five minutes per hour is a "feasible goal . . . and offers many health benefits."

• Sloppy Sunscreen Use

Men over age 40 have the highest exposure to damaging UV rays, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Men are twice as likely as women to develop skin cancer and die from it. And 6 in 10 cases of melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, affect white men over age 50.

More men tend to work and play sports outdoors; having shorter hair and not wearing makeup adds to the gender's exposure. Nor are their malignancies noticed and treated early: Middle-aged and older men are the least likely group to perform self-exams or see a dermatologist, according to a 2001 American Academy of Dermatology study.

Problem: Fewer than half of adult men report using sun protection methods (sunscreen, protective clothing, shade), in contrast to 65 percent of adult women.

Silver lining: Doctors tend to detect more early melanomas in men over 65, perhaps because the older you get, the more often you see a doctor for other (nondermatological) reasons.

• Crummy Diet

Poor nutrition is linked with heart disease, diabetes, and cancer -- leading causes of death in men over 40. Younger midlife men often over-rely on red meat, junk food, and fast food to fuel a busy lifestyle, which leads to excess weight, high cholesterol, hypertension, and other risk factors. Older men living alone and alcoholics are vulnerable to malnutrition, because they tend not to prepare healthy food for themselves.

Problem: Until around 2000, more women were obese than men -- but guys are catching up. In 2010, 35.5 percent of men were obese, up from 27.5 percent in 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Women's fat rates have held steady at around 37 percent.)

Silver lining: The American Dietetic Association recommends a reasonable 2,000 calories a day for men over 50 who are sedentary, up to 2,400 for those who are active. What comprises those calories is up to you.

• Careless Driving

Men generally have more car accidents than women, and men in their 50s and 60s are twice as likely as women to die in car wrecks. Unintentional injuries (of all kinds) are the top cause of death among men ages 40 to 44, the third main cause in men ages 45 to 64, and cause #8 in men 65-plus.

Problem: Among middle-aged men, fatalities are more likely to result from falling asleep at the wheel, exceeding the speed limit, getting into an accident at an intersection or on weekends after midnight -- all factors that don't have a significant effect on the injury levels of middle-aged women, according to a 2007 Purdue University study on how age and gender affect driving. Men over age 45 have more accidents on snow and ice, too.

Silver lining: Older men fare better than men under age 45 on dry roads, where younger drivers crash more (perhaps due to overconfidence, the Purdue researchers say).

• Untreated Depression

Although women are three times more likely to attempt suicide than men, men are more successful at it, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In 2009, 79 percent of all suicides were men. Suicide rates for men spike after age 65; seven times more men over 65 commit suicide than their female peers.

More than 60 percent of all those who die by suicide have major depression. If you include alcoholics, that number rises to 75 percent. In older adults, social isolation is another key contributing factor -- which is why older suicides are often widowers.

Problem: Men often equate depression with "sadness" or other emotions -- and fail to realize that common warning signs of depression include fatigue or excessive sleep, agitation and restlessness, trouble concentrating, irritability, and changes in appetite or sleep.

Silver lining: Depression is treatable at any age, and most cases are responsive to treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

• Smoking

Sure, you've heard about the horrific effects of smoking before. But the older you get, the worse they become. Older smokers have sustained greater lung damage over time because they tend to have been smoking longer; they also tend to be heavier smokers.

Men over 65 who smoke are twice as likely to die of stroke. Smoking causes more than 90 percent of all cases of COPD -- the fourth leading cause of death among men -- and 80 to 90 percent of all lung cancer. The risks of all kinds of lung disease rise with age. Smokers develop Alzheimer's disease, the sixth leading cause of death, far more than nonsmokers.

Problem: Older smokers are less likely than younger smokers to believe there's a real health risk attached to cigarettes, says the American Lung Association. That means they're less likely to try to quit.

Silver lining: No matter at what age you quit, your risk of added heart damage is halved after one year. The risks of stroke, lung disease, and cancer also drop immediately.

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