What men need to know about self-care
Just like you take care of your car, your house, or your dog, it’s important to take care of yourself. Self-care is about prioritizing your physical and mental health, so that you feel your best and can be at your best for yourself and those you love.
Understanding self-care
Think about self-care the same way you think about looking after your car. To keep your car running smoothly, you need to fuel it, change the oil regularly, and take it to the mechanic for check-ups and regular maintenance.
The same is true for self-care. Doing activities that promote your overall physical and mental well-being helps ensure that you’re functioning at your best.
Mental and physical health are interconnected; one cannot thrive without the other. Practicing self-care can help you manage both physical and emotional stress.
What physical self-care can look like:
Engaging in physical activities like hitting the gym, playing your favourite sport, going for a run, etc.
Having a nighttime routine and getting enough sleep
Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water
What mental self-care can look like:
Paying attention to your emotions by identifying patterns of behaviour and feelings. Journaling or having notes on your phone can be a great way to keep track of how you’re feeling.
Practicing positive affirmations by telling yourself, “I am strong, capable, and confident. I can handle any challenges that come my way today.” Repeating positive statements daily helps transform negative thought patterns, and the more you say it, the more you’ll start to believe it.
Practicing gratitude by reflecting on three positive things from your day and how you contributed to them. Shifting your mindset to the positives can improve your confidence and mood.
Why men need self-care
The societal expectation that men must always be strong contributes to the stigma around men’s mental health. This can make men less likely to discuss their emotions or seek help out of fear of seeming weak. But just like ignoring car maintenance can cause more problems, putting off your mental health struggles can do the same.
Men are often seen as providers, so many define their self-worth by their work and productivity. This can result in self-care being neglected or low on their list of priorities. It’s crucial to recognize that making time for self-care is an important part of supporting your overall well-being and shouldn’t be put on the back burner.
Three tips for practicing self-care
Start small: Creating a new habit requires persistence and consistency. Begin with something manageable, like drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning or jotting down a note about what you’re grateful for before bed. Aim to practice this daily and gradually incorporate more self-care activities.
Know your needs: Self-care practices vary for everyone and can change over time. Take time to identify what kind of self-care you need at any given moment. What works for you one day might be different from the next.
Create a self-care kit: Compile a list of activities that make you feel better mentally and physically. This ongoing list can serve as a reference whenever you need a self-care boost.
The more you incorporate self-care into your routine, the better you can show up for yourself and the people you care about. But even with self-care, life can get overwhelming. Counselling can be a great way to learn the tools you need to manage life’s challenges, become stronger, and lead a more fulfilling and resilient life. If you’re struggling, reach out to us.
Information for this blog was provided by registered social worker, Marcus Cheung. Learn more about our counselling services.