Self Care For Men: A Necessity, not a Luxury

As men, it seems normal to find stress around every corner. Let’s face it: you work hard. Whether it’s work or home life, it can be tough to stay motivated and productive. Even so, we often overlook the importance of taking a step back and enjoying time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But, how can we change the average day-to-day routine and give ourselves a break every once in a while? Enter self-care. 

If there is anything that helps avoid burnout after a long week at the office, some alone time usually does the trick. Nonetheless, not all men want to relish in the femininity of scented candles and pedicures (although those are solid ideas if you do enjoy them). That said, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to men’s self-care. If you’re unsure of how to treat yourself, we’ve got you covered. 

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Why Is Self-Care So Important?

Self-care is as it sounds—it’s dedicating some time (even a tiny amount) to care for yourself. In the overly busy modern world, we spend plenty of our time worrying about others. Whether we need to get a work project done to keep the boss happy or care for the family, it’s tough to find time for ourselves. 

But, while it might sound a bit selfish, it’s essential to our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It’s crucial to break the stigma that men should have the “go get that bread” attitude at all times. Stress is real, and it takes a toll on the mind and body, whether we like it or not. Self-care is one of the best ways to combat everyday stressors and find new ways to make yourself happy. 

Most of us tend to think, I don’t have time for self-care. And, while that may be true at the moment, making time for it can ultimately change your life for the better. Not to mention, it’s not a “one-size-fits-all” type of deal. Self-care for you might be simple enough to only take five minutes out of the day. 

Tips for Starting Your Self-Care Regimen

The concept of taking time for yourself might be intimidating. It’s common to think of bubble baths and wine glasses alongside a bunch of romance movies when you imagine self-care. And that works for a lot of people. But, if you’re not into that kind of thing, where do you begin?

Fortunately, we’ve conjured up a list of five of the best ideas for men to take some time for themselves to give you a head start in the self-care game.

Exercise

It’s commonly known that exercise gives you some killer endorphins, which leads to a boost in overall physical and mental health. Taking time out to regularly exercise also improves your sleep, self-esteem, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

If you’re unsure of where to start your self-care journey, setting aside time each day to engage in some physical activity can be the perfect jumping-off point. Don’t worry; you don’t need a gym membership. Heading outside for a quick jog or even practicing at-home yoga is a great way to spend some time on yourself and take your mind off the stresses of everyday life. And the best part is, you don’t need a ton of time—even thirty minutes a day can yield incredible results. 

Spend Some Time in Nature

Ah, fresh air. We want it; we need it; we gotta have it. Spending time in nature is a great approach to stepping away from any daily troubles and reconnecting with the primitive man. The great outdoors, whether in the mountains or on a beach, are soothing. Leaving your phone at home and stepping outside for a few minutes a day can be a super easy and ideal form of self-care. 

Do Some Volunteer Work

Although self-care entails a man taking care of himself, serving organizations that you care about is an incredible way to find something that you enjoy while simultaneously making others happy. Volunteer work helps take your mind off any problems of your own and, instead, allows you to step into the shoes of another and focus on them. In turn, volunteer work is beneficial for your overall mental and emotional well-being. Whether you’re putting together hygiene kits for the local homeless or spending time with the dogs at the animal shelter, focusing on serving others is one of the better ways to spend your time. 

Refresh Your Hairstyle

Have you ever heard of women changing their hair to get a fresh start? Well, that can be true for men, too. Hair is a big part of our self-esteem, and, as men, it’s one of the best ways to showcase our personalities and feel good about ourselves. A fresh hairstyle is more than that—it’s a way to find some confidence that you might have lost in the overwhelming sea of paperwork sitting on your desk. There are four options to do this with a hair system.

1. Use new styling products: There is a sea of styling products that can give you the new look you are after. Such products include pomades, mousses, and texturizing sprays.

2. Try a new styling technique:Try parting you hair in either a left, right, or center part. You could also take a crack at a combback/pompadour.

3. Experiment with new textures: Hair systems are available with a variety of curl and wave patterns to give you a fresh look. Examples include body wave, slight wave, medium wave, tight wave, and medium curl.

4. Play with the length: If you are used to keeping your hair at a more traditionally masculine length, consider playing with a longer style. Many men have switched between very short styles and Tarzan lengths and then all lengths in between.

Create a Nighttime Routine

From feeling irritable to being sluggish all afternoon, negative sleep habits are usually the culprit of many problems. Sleep is essential to a productive life—and when we think of self-care, we often overlook its importance. Forming a solid and practical nighttime routine can add some significant value to not only your quality of sleep but also your weight maintenance, overall energy, and motivation. 

If you struggle to fall or stay asleep, try to eliminate any electronic stimuli—yes, we’re talking about your phone—about an hour before you hit the sack to allow your body to release melatonin and get sleepy. This way, you’ll have an easier time falling asleep when you plan to. You can also create a more relaxing atmosphere by only relying on your bed for what it was originally intended. And, try to incorporate a calming skincare routine to help wind down before bed. Regardless, every nighttime routine will look different; find what works for you and stick with it. 

It’s Time to Think About Yourself

Self-care has its advantages, and it’s the ideal way to add some relaxation to an otherwise taxing everyday life. Whatever you choose to incorporate into your self-care regimen, focus on what feels best for you. After all, you are what matters most, and feeling your best will have considerable benefits in every aspect of life. Go forth and renew yourself; you deserve it.