Some simple and hard-hitting facts to start, as highlighted by @katies.selfcare.diaries: through this simple illustration:
Men can cry
Men can have anxiety
men can get abused
Men can struggle with trauma
Men can go to therapy
Men can get depressed
Men can have eating disorders
Men die by suicide
We all need to take time for ourselves — have a few minutes to ourselves — perhaps some pampering — some relaxation or indulgence in a hot bath, some yoga or a good shopping trip. In many ways, females are the ones who historically have been the ones to make more time for these kinds of activities.
A misconception of self-care is that it doesn’t have to be the ‘traditional methods’. It is a personal experience about doing something that makes us feel good at that moment. It takes us away from the stress and strains of life for just a few minutes and promotes good mental and physical well-being.
Despite the many benefits, not enough men allow themselves to participate in self-care. Dove is leading a campaign following extensive research in 2021 which found that:
‘…men who stay in regular contact with people, ask for help, meditate, read books and focus on their diet – in short, who practices holistic self-care – are 2.2x more likely to feel balance in their lives, 1.6x more satisfied in themselves and 1.4x more satisfied with their partners’. You can download a copy of the full report here.
Mind Journals have an essential guide to self-care for men. They highlight six different categories which are:
Physical
Emotional
Spiritual
Relational
Professional and
Psychological.
MindJournal founder, Ollie Aplin said:” To achieve balance in all areas of your daily life, aim to develop a few healthy habits in each category that are easy to stick to.
Wasani Probasco and BethAnn Mayer have produced Self-care tips for men: A complete guide to feeling your absolute best which explores various options that cover the categories above including:
Getting active
Reciting affirmations
Journalling
Adding CBD to the mix
Using essential oils and
Creating a solid nighttime routine
Finding the right balance of self-care is a difficult task for anyone. Some will feel the need for more than others. Some will naturally have an element within their daily routines already. The critical thing to remember is that everyone needs to have a good relationship with their own mental and physical well-being. How that is achieved is down to the individual. The benefits are well worth the effect in order to achieve a more rounded, balanced and enjoyable life.
Dove Campaign — Mens Self-care — Research study report: https://www.dove.com/us/en/men-care/campaigns/paternity-leave/care-leads-to-care.html
Self-care manual for men
Essential guide to self-care for men
Comments