5 ways to do self care, for men!
How many dudes do you know who make time for ‘self care’?
Who run a bubble bath at the end of a long, tough day, or book themselves in for remedial massage – just ‘cos?
Not many, probably.
While primping and pampering aren’t typically ‘masculine’ activities (and marketing has a lot to answer for), men have also been shown to neglect basic acts of self care, like seeing a health practitioner or scheduling time to decompress – told to ‘soldier on’ and ‘toughen up’.
Unfortunately, this conditioning has led to a disparity in life expectancy and general wellbeing between men and women.
Here at Spinecare, we think everybody deserves care – regardless of gender – and reimagining self care to include dudes is a step in the right direction.
This Father’s Day we’ve got Dad covered with ideas for rest, relaxation and wellness that go easy on the scented candles and embrace a little fun. Check ‘em out.
Discover meditation
Meditation is the habit of choice for elite sportspeople, entrepreneurs, high-flying corporates and personal development devotees – and for good reason. Mindfulness meditation has been scientifically validated as a tool for focus, concentration, stress reduction, anger management, creativity, compassion and even cardiovascular health. There’s nothing fluffy about it; meditation is a supreme act of self care, with scientific support. And with apps like Calm, Headspace and Aura offering short, guided meditations to help cement a daily practice, there’s no reason dads everywhere can’t be ommming their way to optimal health.
Practice martial arts
Exercise matters for a healthy life, but not all exercise is created equal. More than just a workout, martial arts teaches mindfulness, courage, endurance and respect for your opponent. It provides a physical and emotional outlet that appeals to all genders, offering a sense of community as well as invaluable lessons for everyday life. If a dad or dude you know is looking for a new sport, why not suggest a martial art like Braziian jiu-jitsu, Taekwondo or Capoeira?
Declutter
There’s nothing scientific about decluttering for health, but anyone who’s cleaned out their room, organised the shed or sent a host of obsolete items to Vinnies knows it just feels good. Decluttering is a form of self care. It helps you get organised and on top of things; it creates space in your home; it brings calm to the mind and fewer logistical challenges to your day. Plus, it’s a powerful message that you deserve to inhabit a clean, aesthetically-pleasing space. For any men who don’t do bubble baths and rose petals, decluttering is a practical, hands-on alternative.
Take a hike
If scheduling time to read a book or chill out doesn’t appeal to Dad, a walk in nature might. Hiking is a fantastic form of self care for people who like to keep moving, while taking in greenery and scenery that’s guaranteed to promote wellbeing. Studies have shown that time spent in nature produces powerful healing effects, with birdsong, the breeze, bush scents and sunshine just some of the reasons why. We call it ‘vitamin green’, dudes call it a Sunday afternoon well spent. If you’re around Adelaide, encourage the men in your life to walk with you in Morialta or Mount Lofty reserves, or further afield on the Heysen Trail.
Join a men’s shed
The Men’s Shed movement started in Australia as a way to foster community and health awareness amongst men. Many communities now have a men’s shed; a space dedicated to getting men (and women!) together for creative projects, hobbies, educational activities and the healing power of conversation. Even if you have your own backyard shed, joining your local Men’s Shed can provide priceless camaraderie and community – because if Blue Zones like Okinawa have taught us anything (link to last post) a sense of belonging is essential for a long, healthy life. There are almost 1000 Men’s Sheds all around Australia, so jump on Ecosia (a greener alternative to Google) to find one near you.