The 5 best self-care tips for men

No matter your age or gender, taking care of yourself is essential for positive health outcomes and improved well-being. However, men in particular struggle with or ultimately neglect their health due to gendered views on self-care. What dominates is the social pressure on men to ‘stand up’ in difficult times. As a result, men are stigmatized when they respond to their own needs by engaging in self-care and seeking help.

But practicing self-care shouldn’t make men feel less like themselves, nor should it make them selfish or self-indulgent. Rather, self-care is a way to normalize men’s vulnerability and take steps toward improving their relationships with themselves and others. Self-care can vary depending on a person’s specific needs, but here are a few general ideas for men to improve their health and overall quality of life.

1. Get enough sleep

Sleep is fundamental to a happy and healthy life, but a stereotype persists that less sleep is male. As a result, sleep deprivation is more common in men than women; this significantly harms their physical, mental and emotional health. In addition, insufficient sleep can negatively impact men’s performance at school or work, as well as the decisions they make in their daily lives.

Instead of conforming to the traditional view of masculinity, men can work on getting about seven hours of sleep by turning off their devices before bed and improving their bedroom setup in terms of lighting, temperature, pillows and sheets.

2. Eat well and healthy

Another lifestyle change you can make as a form of self-care is eating right and healthy food. Rather than focusing on what type of body is ideally considered masculine, weight loss plans for men should be designed to meet both nutritional needs and fitness goals.

Customized meal plans, guided by the right choices and portion sizes, also help form a healthy and lasting relationship with food, unlike diet fads that are otherwise restrictive and view food as a punishment. Sticking to healthy eating habits is made possible by tracking the foods you eat and looking for hearty recipes that can easily be tailored to your meal planning and preparation.

3. Invest in a grooming kit

Keeping up with body maintenance and care can help you look and feel your best — and it’s not just women who deserve to do that. In addition to making regular appointments to have your hair styled and trimmed in a way that gives you confidence, you can take charge of your body care by investing in the right products and tools.

Not only do beard oil products help keep your facial hair healthy and well-groomed, but using natural and organic products also soothes the skin underneath and prevents itching and inflammation. Don’t forget to include nail clippers in your kit; even small details such as neatly trimmed nails can improve your hygiene and leave a good impression.

4. Follow a skin care routine

While mainstream skin care focuses on women, the industry is increasingly recognizing that men can also pursue healthier and younger-looking skin through a variety of products, rather than being limited to a simple routine.

Basic skin care tips for men start by determining what skin type you have and whether it is sensitive, normal, dry, oily or a combination. This will help you choose the cleanser, moisturizer, toner and/or serum to include in your regimen. Washing your face twice a day, wearing sunscreen especially when going outside, and paying attention to your shaving technique can all contribute to the better health and appearance of your skin.

5. Try yoga and mindfulness exercises

Last but not least, self-care is holistic and must include mental health. Yoga is a perfect way to combine exercise and meditation; it physically benefits your cardiovascular and respiratory health, while also providing a way to release the stress and tension that may have been building up inside you.

Meanwhile, mindfulness exercises can range from breathing exercises to journaling, as their main purpose is to pay attention to what you are currently feeling and accept yourself as you are. If you’re a beginner to yoga and mindfulness, you might find apps like Headspace useful to guide you through each session.