Just because you’re a guy, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take wellness seriously. Self-care is for everyone and if you incorporate it into your daily life, you will feel better perform better and live better, it really is that simple.
With that in mind, here are some wellness tips that every man should follow (chances are you’re doing some of them already)...
1. Have veggies with every meal
If you aren’t already having at least two servings of veg with every meal, it’s time to change that. We all know that eating our veggies are good for us, and they are so cheap and easy to prepare that there is no excuse for not doing so.
Adding just two portions of fruit or veg to each meal will help to ensure that you get all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to work optimally, and there is no way that you will not feel better once you’ve gotten into this regime.
2. Meditate
You may think that meditation is happy clappy hippie stuff, and it might have been back in the day, but right now in 2021, meditation is for everyone, and everyone should be practicing it. Why? Because it can help to relieve the symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety, improve mental clarity and just help you live a generally happier more peaceful life. It’s really easy to learn, especially if you use apps like Calm and Headspace, and you can feel the benefits in as little as 10 minutes per day, so really what do you have to lose?
3. Consider herbs and supplements
It often seems like women and bodybuilders are the only one who take herbs and supplements seriously, but even if you are neither of those things, you could benefit from adding some of the best herbs for men's health into your daily routine. For example, is you’re feeling tired and worn out, an adaptogen called ashwagandha can really help your body to recover or if you want to boost your stamina, maca root is known to be pretty effective. Think about the areas of your life you would like to improve, and chances are there is an herb or supplement that can support you in doing that.
4. Stretch
You ight think that you’re pretty fit if you exercise every day, but how often do you stretch? Sure, you might do a few stretches as a warm up, but if you aren’t taking the time to stretch all of the muscles in your body in an umber of ways, chances are your mobility is not going to be as good as it could be, especially as you get older, and also stretching feels really good. You can stretch at home and there are plenty of YouTube videos that will help you get a good daily stretch in, but you may also want to consider taking a yoga class - loads of men do yoga these days so you won’t stick out, but you will improve your flexibility and protect your mobility for the future.
6. Learn how to relax
Something that a lot of men are not very good at is relaxing, but relaxation is so important for us all. If you can’t relax, you will end up stressed out and more likely to suffer from things like high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack and stroke if you’re not careful. Not only that but when you can never relax, even for half an hour or so you never get time to recharge, which means you tend to be less effective in daily life than you would if you actually took the time to sit and do nothing go fishing or whatever it is that relaxes you. Work may be important to you, but you’ll be more effective at work if you relax, so for heaven’s sake, take a break!.
7. Prioritize sleep
Oh, and speaking of taking a break, you really should prioritize sleep. Yeah, we know that some guys think sleep is for wimps, but those guys are stupid. What smart people know is, like relaxation, getting enough sleep enables you to perform better. You can achieve your aims more quickly and successfully when you’ve had a good night’s sleep, and more importantly, you will lower your chances of developing various illnesses and diseases including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Never apologize for getting the sleep you need.
8. See a therapist
Okay, so you might be really happy and well adjusted right now, so maybe seeing a therapist isn’t something you need to do, but most of us go through tough times at some point in our lives, and when that happens, seeing a therapist is one of the best things you can do for yourself, your mental health, and the people you love. Many men try to tough it out when they’re struggling, which just prolongs their suffering and prevents them from leading their best lives. Don’t be like them and get the help you indeed. Talk your problems through with someone who is trained to understand and you will be able to deal with them far more effectively, and get back to being your best self, as soon as possible. There is absolutely nothing un-masculine about seeing a therapist!
9. Schedule regular physical exams
This is especially important as you get older, but if you are an adult male of any age, you really should be scheduling an annual physical checkup as part of your own self-care. Why? Because if you pick up illnesses like prostate and testicular cancer early, it is far more likely that the doctors will be able to successfully treat it and that you can go on to lead a long happy life, which is exactly, I’m sure, what you want to do. For the same reason, you should also self-examine yourself regularly and see the doctor as soon as you notice an unusual symptom.
10. Spend time with other men
Spending time with men who love and support you, and who you can discuss manly issues with is a really good way to keep your mental health ticking over nicely, Obviously, you should append time with people of all ages and genders, but there is something about being around other men that is good for a man’s mental health, so don’t feel guilty about having a few beers with the guys or meeting up to watch the game once in a while - it’s part of your wellness routine.
11. Take a vacation
Some might say that being a workaholic is a virtue to be applauded, and we don’t necessarily disagree with that statement, but if you are serious about taking good care of your physical and mental health, it pays to take a vacation once in a while. Why? Because, for one thing, travel broadens the mind. Not only that, but the sun is great for topping up your vitamin D levels, and spending time away from your desk will help you to deal with the aches and pains that come with working all day every day.
Wellness is just as important for men as anyone else and the above ideas are all good practices to incorporate into your regular routine if you want to start taking self-care more seriously. Don’t have time? Make time. Everyone has stuff they can push from their schedules to make room for more important stuff and it doesn’t get more important than taking good care of yourself.
