Everyone needs self-care, including men, and there are many different ways to practice it.

Understanding what self-care really is

Think about a car. What do you do to maintain the car and take care of it? You fuel it with gas, you get the oil changed every so often and you take it to the mechanic whenever it needs work done. These things ensure that the car functions properly.

Well, the same can be said for self-care. Self-care is about taking care of your own well-being through different activities to ensure you’re functioning at your best.

Mental health and physical health go hand-in-hand; there isn’t one without the other. Practicing self-care can help prevent and help you deal with both physical and emotional stresses.

Physical self-care practices can include:

• Physical activities: yoga, biking, going to the gym, etc.

• Sleep: getting enough sleep, creating a nighttime routine

• Diet: drinking lots of water and eating a balanced diet

Mental self-care practices can include:

• Paying attention to your emotions. Journaling is a great way to do that. It helps you track how you’re feeling and recognize different trends in your emotions.

• Practicing positive affirmations. When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself something positive. For example: “I can handle any challenges that come my way today”.

• Practicing gratitude. Think about three things that were positive about your day and how you contributed to them. It takes some thought and consideration, but it can help shift your mindset to focus on the positives.

Why men need self-care

The idea that men are always expected to be strong is a social construct that contributes to the stigma around men’s mental health. As a result, men are less likely to talk about their emotions and mental health and seek help because many men see it as a sign of weakness. But, just like the example of maintaining your car, not identifying and tending to an issue, will only make it worse.

Another social construct is that men should provide for their families and loved ones. As a result, many men define their self-worth by their work and productivity and don’t make themselves a priority. So, self-care is often absent from their lives or very low on their list of priorities.

Three tips for practicing self-care

Practicing self-care is like creating a new habit. You have to be persistent and consistent. Start small, doing something you think you can keep up. Even if it is drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning or writing down a quick note about what you’re grateful for before going to bed. Try to practice it daily if you can and slowly add more things that you think can help.

Take the time to think about what kind of self-care you need. Self-care practices are different for everyone, and the type of self-care you need changes – it's not the same every time.

Assemble a self-care kit. Think about the things you need to do to feel better mentally and physically. You can create an ongoing list of your favourite activities, so you can refer to it anytime you need a little self-care.

Self-care is important for men to practice and is essential for their mental health and well-being. Find activities that you enjoy and that nurture your well-being. Set time aside in your schedule for these activities, and practice self-care as often as you can.

Information for this blog was provided by registered social worker Marcus Cheung and registered clinical social worker Stephen Walker. Learn more about our counsellors.