Self-Care for Men: You Deserve It Too!

In today’s world, we are all victims to the ever-moving, stressful, constant pressures around us. Of course, this includes men as well, however for some reason many have classified self-care as something “for women.” The importance of mental health and self care is just as vital for men, and the discouragement of various self care practices needs to be called out and stopped. 

With many men in high-pressure lifestyles, our culture has a responsibility to support all people in caring for their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

After speaking with various men in my life, I was able to collect some methods of self-care, from basic to more special, that perhaps will inspire you to implement in your own lives!

My friend Romell put it beautifully: “Self care is the most masculine thing you can do” 

“Self care is misunderstood as unmanly, but from personal experience it’s one of the most powerful ways for us to show strength and resilience. Prioritizing physical, mental, and emotional health helps us to thrive in all areas of life, from relationships to careers. Unfortunately, we face the stigma created by society that self care is a sign of weakness or femininity which causes us to neglect our own needs. It’s rooted in toxic masculinity. Real strength lies in self-awareness, discipline, and the commitment to chase after our health & well being.  I believe if you want to better your life as a man it only starts with self care.”

Some harrowing statistics surrounding mental health in our world today help quantify the need for men to focus on self-care.

• Men are 4 times more likely than women to take their own life

• Less than half of the men receive treatment for anxiety and depression

• An estimated 1 out of 10 men have symptoms of anxiety or depression

Some ways men can prioritize their mental health through self care practices:

1. Getting 8 hours of sleep every night. Cut off the distractions of electronics, TV, the household, your work and more, and implement good sleep hygiene methods to be able to show up as your best self daily. Some men have found things like sound machines, sleep podcasts, meditation, supplements, black out curtains, and eye masks helpful in ensuring they are getting the sleep their body needs. 

2. Exercise can help men find an outlet for their stress and aids not just the body, but the mind. There are so many positive effects to regular exercise, so find the one that resonates most with you, and don’t be afraid to try new things! A friend told me that they had to set boundaries with work, family, and friends to ensure they are able to workout at least 4 times a week, and that the priority they have placed on this one hour activity has helped them immensely. 

3. Much like exercise, nourishing your body with whole foods has countless positive effects. A relative of mine practices self-care by budgeting their money in other areas to allow for them to afford a meal delivery service. With many go-go-go lifestyles, ensuring your body is fueled properly is one of the most important things you can do.

4. Connecting with friends is sadly something I see many of the men in my lives put to the backburner. My husband is guilty of this as well, and as a woman that finds immense value and necessity in frequently connecting with my friends, I have to continually encourage him to take the time to check in on his friends. Many men struggle with picking up the phone and calling their male friends, let alone setting up time to connect in person. Spending time with positive male influences can make a world a difference in the mental well-being of men.

5. Go to therapy! Whether virtual or in person, prioritize your mental health and practice self care by finding a therapist who supports and encourages you to be the best version of yourself. Therapy is still so stigmatized in our world, and incredibly more so with men, so I always support men in my life who show an openness to exploring therapy.

6. Find ways to reward yourself regularly! A male friend told me, “I have a weekly and monthly treat/reward for myself. This can change, like a special drink from my favorite coffee shop, or takeout on a night I don’t have energy to cook. Monthly, I have decided to get a massage, which has really helped me prioritize self care.

Encourage the men in your life to practice self care and mental well-being in the ways that most positively impact them. Self care changes in different times of life, and what serves you now may not serve you in a week, month, or year. Don’t be afraid to dive into new outlets, invest in things that will support your mental, emotional, and physical health. Together, we can help shatter the stigmas that continue to surround men’s mental well-being, and support men in their efforts of self-care!