What is Self-Care for Men all About?
Self-care for men can be especially tricky, but I’m here to tell you that it’s essential—and not just for women! Self-care is a beneficial practice that all men should consider implementing into their everyday life.
It is a necessary part of living a meaningful life; through self-care, men can better understand themselves and their needs. So let us make a commitment to ourselves to stay kind, stay mindful, and stay strong.
8 Men’s Self-Care Ideas
Men need self-care, just like women do. Unfortunately, the conversation around self-care is primarily geared toward women, leaving men navigating a lack of resources. In this post, we will explore men’s self-care ideas that are easy to implement, budget-friendly, and tailored to the needs of men.
Talk to someone
For many men, talking about their feelings is not a natural thing to do. But it’s important to talk about what’s going on with you for good mental health. There are lots of ways to do that:
Talking to a friend or family member – You can talk about how you’re feeling with a trusted person who will listen and care for you, even if they don’t understand precisely what it feels like for you. It might be helpful to find someone who has been through something similar in the past, such as losing an important person or having some other kind of painful experience.
They may not be able to explain why things happened the way they did, but they can still help make sense of things and give support along the way.
FYI: Talking in therapy – If an issue occurs again or affects more than one area of your life (like work or relationships), it might be time for professional help.*
Writing down your thoughts and journaling – This can help bring clarity when many emotions are involved and also express feelings that don’t always come out quickly when talking face-to-face (such as anger). Just writing down what happened isn’t enough, though – reading back over this allows us to reflect on our experiences from different perspectives, which helps us learn from them more effectively!
Do Care Activities You Enjoy
Treat yourself and create a care routine. A care routine is just like it sounds—it’s a series of activities that help you take care of yourself every day and get enough rest and relaxation.
- Listen to some music.
- Read a book.
- Watch a movie or TV show you’ve been meaning to catch up on.
- Go for a walk and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature around you. (Bonus points if it makes you feel more energized!)
Get More Sleep
Lack of sleep is one of the biggest culprits impacting the quality of life for many men today. With the right strategies, men can ensure they’re getting enough rest to stay productive and energized.
“Experts say afternoon naps benefit people of any age by resting the brain and clearing out our jumble of daily thoughts.”
Healthline.com
Don’t be shy about taking a nap during the day or turning in early when your body is telling you it’s time for bed—even if someone else thinks it’s too early or too late to go to sleep!
Get physical.
Physical activity is excellent for your body and your mind. It reduces stress, boosts mood, and helps you sleep better at night. Try taking a run or a spin class on the weekend, hiking on the mountain with friends, or even playing golf with your dad or close friend.
Take a bath.
Taking a long hot bubble bath with some nice-smelling salts can be very relaxing after a long day of work or school—and it doesn’t take up too much time! And if you don’t want to go through all that trouble? Showering is fine too!
Eat well
Eating well is a crucial part of self-care for men. When you’re feeling exhausted, stressed out, and unable to cope with your emotions, it can be tempting to reach for junk food or caffeinated beverages. These bad choices will only exacerbate your stress and anxiety—not alleviate them. Instead, consider eating small meals throughout the day that incorporate healthy fats (like avocado), protein (like eggs), vegetables, and whole grains like oats or brown rice. These foods are suitable for both your body and mind!
Avoid sugary drinks like soda pop; instead, drink water with lemon slices or herbal tea instead—these beverages won’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels like soda does, which can make you feel tired after drinking them later on in the day.
Give yourself a break from alcohol. Alcohol is worth avoiding if possible because it has repeatedly been shown how addictive it can be. It can also impact your sleep and mood.
Start a Skincare Routine
If you have sensitive skin, it’s essential to use hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and cruelty-free products. You can find these types of products at most major retailers. The number one rule for men’s skincare is to avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive scrubs, so you’ll want to look for gentle cleansers with natural ingredients like avocado oil or shea butter (for moisturizing), or oatmeal extract (that works as an anti-inflammatory).
Daily routine For your face:
Cleanse gently with a nonfoaming wash. Pat dry using a soft towel after washing your face morning and night. If needed, apply a toner containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid (exfoliating acids) once daily after cleansing but before applying moisturizer; this will help unclog pores while keeping them clean.
Once a week, apply an exfoliating scrub made with walnut shells or apricot seeds on wet skin in circular motions; rinse well afterward—you may wish to use witch hazel afterward as well, as it helps clear up any redness left behind from the scrubbing process (don’t overdo it). Then apply your favorite moisturizer liberally!
Treat Yourself to a bit of pampering.
Go get a haircut at the barbershop. When your hair looks good, you feel good—but if you want to take it up a notch (and we think you do), it’s time to get a little bit more than just a trim. A deluxe wash and cut will leave your hair feeling great and smelling great, too!
Spend Time with friends and family.
Spending time with friends and family is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. It’s essential to find people who understand what you’re going through and have your back, whether that means a friend from work or someone in your family.
Tip: This is an excellent opportunity to take a break from social media.
In addition to ensuring you have people around you who care about your well-being, recognize that it’s just as important for them to know how they can help themselves when they need support.
If there are some specific ways that the friend or family member could make themselves feel better when they’re feeling stressed out, ask them about those things before ending the conversation so they’ll have something to go on later if it comes up again.
Taking time for yourself is a good thing, not a selfish thing.
When you take care of yourself, it’s not just good for your mental health. It’s also good for your physical health, relationships, career, and finances. This might sound like a lot to tackle all at once; however, if you focus on one area at a time and work through what needs to be done to get there (e.g., “I need to find an exercise routine that works for me”), it will help improve the other areas as well!
Taking care of yourself isn’t a selfish thing to do—it’s a sign that you’re taking an interest in the well-being of others. By taking care of yourself and practicing self-care, you’ll be more able to give what you need to your friends, family, and loved ones.
Are you Looking for Inspiration to Treat Yourself or a Friend?
Click the links below to read about ideas for self-care gifts for men and much more!
