Over the course of this week, I have had to talk to three men who came to me complaining of being overwhelmed and feeling lost and tired. It is bad enough that the situation of the country is very unfriendly. This in itself has put an additional strain on men who have to be everything to other people. While they are busy looking out for everybody, they are left out in the cold.
In a society where the man is supposed to be the head in all things, what does he do when he can’t even help himself?
Mental health concerns can be difficult to talk about, especially for men, because they’ve been taught from childhood not to express their feelings. Men shoulder a lot of responsibilities and burdens. Yet they keep their anxiety and fears to themselves because they don’t want to appear weak.
Mental well-being is just as important as physical wellness and should be taken seriously. Interestingly this month of June is Men’s Mental Health Month, which makes it pertinent that I share some tips that can help protect the mental health of our men.
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Here are some of them:
– Don’t be a loner: Man was not created to be alone. It is important to have a support group. People of like minds or those you can rely on when you need help. They could be family or even friends. We’re all social beings.
– Engage in a hobby. Having a hobby you enjoy can also support your mental well-being. So, whether you love hiking, singing, cooking, sports, working out, swimming, gardening, travelling, reading, or watching movies, make time for the activities you enjoy.
– Exercise Regularly. Research has shown that getting 20 minutes of physical activity three times a week can help reduce the risk of depression and anxiety. These types of exercises include any activity that increases your heart rate such as walking, running, hiking, or swimming.
– Nourish your body. Let your diet be more of fresh foods. Food such as healthy fats, vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. Limit alcohol, sugar, processed food, and refined carbohydrates.
– It is important to take time out for yourself. Yes, most men have busy lives because they have to work to take care of the different responsibilities at hand, yet it is important to be able to relax and refresh from time to time to avoid burnout.
– Have regular Sex. Sex has been proven to ease stress, relax your nerves, and make you happy. Even if only for a short while. It also helps to keep the prostate happy. So it is advisable to indulge more, while you still can.
– Have a good laugh. Laughing is therapeutic. Spend time with people who make you laugh and bring out the inner child in you. It is important to connect to that side of you from time to time.
– Don’t take on more than you can handle. Learn to do only what you can per time. Life is not a competition. Stop trying to impress other people at your own detriment.
– Take your health seriously. Do regular check ups to know your health status per time. Do not take anything for granted. Health is wealth.
– Counselling. You can also consider Counselling when you need to talk to someone about your fears and anxieties. A counsellor can give you tips for managing stress and different life situations.
Having noted all these, here are a few signs of depression and anxiety in men:
Anxiety is common in both men and women, but it is more common in men despite age and status. Depression and anxiety can sometimes manifest differently in men than in women. And these are some of the signs:
– Irritability and anger. Someone who is being easily triggered is probably going through something deeper than the obvious.
– becoming more reserved and talking less. When someone is depressed, they retreat and talk less.
– Avoiding social activities and hobbies they once enjoyed.
– Changes in eating habits. Depression makes some people eat less but some others eat more. It could be both ways.
– Decreased sex drive. There is a total loss of sexual interest when the mind is sick.
– Change in sleep pattern. The sleep pattern also changes. It could be less or sometimes more.
Anxiety can present with symptoms like:
– Racing heartbeat
– Shortness of breath
– Difficulty sleeping
– Social anxiety.
Below are some Factors that worsen mental health:
– Social isolation
– Lack of physical activity
– Overeating junk food, particularly processed, high-sugar foods
Major life stressors include job loss, divorce, financial issues, illness, the death of a loved one, a move or a new job.
On a final note, it is important to know and understand your stressors so you can avoid them completely to keep a healthy mental state. While noting that there’s no perfect situation and life is full of ups and downs, it is crucial to find what works for you and stick by it.
Happy Men’s Mental Health Month.
I would love to get feedback, questions, and recommendations on the topics you would want me to shed light on.
Let’s meet tonight (Friday) in the chatroom. If you want to be a part of it, send me a message on Telegram at: @tiwa_says. The chatroom opens at a10pm every Friday.
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#tiwa_says; 09161129108 [email protected].