Men should practice self-care too. There is still a stigma around men’s mental health, showing vulnerability and embracing self-development. But slowly, this is being normalized, as it should.
Self-Care Is a Lifestyle
Taking care of yourself should be a lifestyle, a routine that is embedded into how you want to live your life, and it is a mindset, not just a task you do to complete the health check-up.
For this reason, it is of the utmost importance to truly put yourself first for the sole purpose of becoming your best self and being the kind of person that can find a balance between work, social and professional life.
Indeed, this isn’t easy to achieve, and there will be times when this balance is affected by various factors or other responsibilities you may have. Life can be unpredictable, as much as you try to plan everything to the smallest detail.
This is why you should force building this routine to the point you turn it into another to-do list or see everything as a task. Yes, a healthy routine that focuses on self-care is crucial.
Men Should Practice It Too
However, it is highly necessary to be adaptable and embrace the fact that change and unpredictability are a part of life, and this doesn’t mean that you stop caring for yourself or putting yourself first.
It simply means you need to adapt and readjust while keeping in mind the right mindset: always finding the time to recharge, heal and take care of yourself.
There has been this strong misconception and an incorrect social convention that self-care is not a thing for men, that it isn’t masculine and that men don’t need it. This could not be more wrong.
Putting yourself and taking care of your health, meeting your needs, and listening to your emotions are highly important, whether you are a man or woman.
Therefore, gender has nothing to do; self-care is a lifestyle everyone should try to adopt as much as possible. Doing this can make you more self-aware, kinder, more empathic, and better prepared to be there for your loved ones.
Self-care means good physical and mental health, so it should be a priority. But if you are unsure where to start, especially as a man who might have been told self-care is a sign of weakness.
On the contrary, it is a sign of courage and strength to recognize when you need to stop or heal – here are five things you could do to start a self-care routine:
Skincare Is Self-Care, And Men Should Practice It Too
The skin is the largest organ of the human body. So, taking good care of it is imperative. Yet, many people underestimate the importance of having a regular skincare routine with high-quality products.
Men overlook skincare much more than women do, perhaps mainly because they are under the false impression that they don’t need to allocate time and resources for this.
But apart from just using shaving gel foam and after-shave or using soap at maximum to clean the face’s skin, men use little to no skincare products.
But it is crucial for men to have a skincare routine, expand their collection and include other products such as hydrating face creams or moisturizers. And don’t forget about sunscreen, especially during the hot season!
Find Your Passion in Your Professional or Personal Life
Being passionate about something can positively influence your life. As a result, your mental health will also improve. Whether you have a hobby or follow a specific career that is your professional calling, it is crucial to find and hold onto that passion that drives, motivates and brings you joy.
When you do something you love, your life’s quality enhances regardless of whether this is in your personal or professional life. Your self-confidence levels increase, and you feel like your life has more meaning. Not to mention that you can be more productive.
Social Life Is Crucial, But So Is Personal Time
Being surrounded by your loved ones, dear friends, and family members is of the utmost importance for your well-being and the essential sense of belonging humans need to have.
However, there may be times when your “social battery” starts running low due to a variety of reasons, from being overwhelmed at work to having other responsibilities apart from work. Life can get hectic, so slowing down and taking the time to recharge is vital for your mental and physical life.
Therefore, as crucial as it is to invest in your social life and be there for your loved ones, you also need to show up for the person you should love deeply as well: yourself. This means allocating personal life to do whatever your body, soul and mind need, from reading or spending time in nature to watching a good movie.
This time is for your hobbies; it is the time where you listen to your needs and wants without feeling any guilt whatsoever. When you feel well, you can be there for others too.
Create A Healthy Diet and Consider Taking Beneficial Supplements
What and how you eat can influence your life. It is up to you if that influence is positive or negative. Creating and following a healthy diet doesn’t mean you follow restrictive diets found online, but you follow a plan that works for you and your body without overeating or not eating enough.
In addition to this, you may want to start taking beneficial supplements that support and benefit your physical and mental health. For instance, Panax Extract is a Korean red ginseng concentrated extract that can have many health benefits such as improved cognitive function or can boost your immune system. So, it could help you greatly. A noteworthy mention would be to consult your physician, as they can advise you on the correct dosage.
Your Nighttime Routine Should Never Be Underestimated
Getting enough sleep is of the utmost importance. So, you should never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep or how the lack thereof could impact your daily life. Part of your self-care routine and mindset should be the relationship you have with sleep. There may be times when your sleep schedule gets disrupted.
When this happens, it is crucial to exit or avoid entering the vicious cycle of needing to take long naps and failing to fall asleep during the time.
Exercise and physical activity can help you with creating a healthy nighttime routine.
