The stigma around mental health is shifting

In recent years, Mental Health has been a regular discussion point amongst our society. The stigma around mental health is shifting and depression is no longer a taboo topic. Initiatives like Movember, Beyond Blue, R U OK? and LIVIN have been an integral part of normalising the conversation. Celebrities, athletes, and influencers have used their platforms to speak on depression and anxiety and openly discuss their own experiences. Despite these brave and inspirational efforts, many men are continuing to suffer in silence and depression and anxiety is still riddled through our community.

As if the daily grind and the spontaneous curveball life tends to sling isn’t enough; add on a global pandemic and ‘unprecedented times’, isolation and uncertainty and you have a recipe for downfall. We have been facing a pandemic more dangerous than the virus itself. Mental health advocates and organisations now believe they are in the grips of a serious mental health crisis, with suicide rates escalating around the country.

It’s a brand-new season, and with it comes new possibilities. As we wave goodbye to a cold and dreary Winter, we encourage men to Spring into a new attitude, new routine and cultivate a more positive mindset. Let us work on getting you back to your best self, feeling good both physically and mentally.

Here are our top tips for promoting positivity and resilience:

Prioritise Self-Care

Self-care can look like a lot of things. It can be anything that promotes a happier, healthier YOU.

There is much to be said for the psychological benefits that come from grooming, maintenance, and exercise. A healthy body, healthy skin and good hygiene are integral to lifting your mental game.

Investing in the health of your skin, your appearance and general wellbeing can work wonders on your self-esteem, confidence and help shape your daily routine. Whether you are aware of it or not, by following a 3-step skin care routine, keeping up with regular treatments or visiting the gym, you are making a conscious decision to make time for YOU, to take care of YOU and to prioritise YOURSELF above anything else, if only for a short while.

After all gents, you deserve it.

Work-Life Balance

Life is all about balance. If you do not have balance in your life, somethings gotta’ give.

No matter your industry or position, the daily grind is taxing on the mind and body. You give so much of your life to your profession, to your employer and to your work but remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup. Failure to implement work-life balance can cause significant anxiety, burnout and stress which can be incredibly detrimental to not only you but the people around you, including your family.

Allow yourself to switch off and recharge. This can mean;

– silencing your notifications until office hours

– staying away from emails until you are at work

– not making yourself accessible to everyone all the time

– saying no to more when you’re already experiencing stress

– allowing yourself a mid-week mental health day here and there 

Movement

Staying active is such an important part of maintaining a positive mindset.

The human body was built to move, jump, run, walk, squat and so much more! Maintaining a level of fitness and participating in regular movement can keep your joints healthy, your bones strong and improve blood circulation.

In addition to a healthy rig, movement and exercise have incredible benefits to improving your mental health. Participating in regular exercise boosts self-esteem, serotonin, and endorphins which in turn help build resilience, positivity, and happiness.

Do not be intimated by the thought of getting active, this does not have to mean going to the gym, strapping on a weight belt and repping out 100. Movement can be as simple as walking to your local café for a morning coffee or dusting off the old skipping rope, taking the dog for a walk, or treating the body to a daily stretch session.

Connection and Relationships

The pandemic in 2020 saw Australia go into lockdown making connection extremely difficult. In hard-hit communities, the restriction meant complete isolation from friends and family. We do not need to argue the fact that connection and conversation is vital to a healthy headspace.

Maintaining friendships and trusting and reliable relationships has been proven to decrease anxiety, depression and loneliness and boost self-esteem. It does not matter who you are, where you live or even what you do for work, connection is vital.

Here is a little reminder to reach out and check on the people you love, including the friends who are ‘always smiling’.

Diet and Gut Health

Gut health refers to our digestive system, which ultimately effects all aspects of our physical and mental health. This refers to our diets, how our body absorbs nutrients and breaks down the food we are ingesting.

Avoid saturated fats, alcohol (where possible), sugar, and caffeine (brutal) when you can. We know it is an impossible ask to cut these things out completely, so we recommended simply being conscious of your intake. This could be as simple as supplementing your salty snacks for a healthier option or opting for 1 coffee a day instead of 3.

We know you know but here it is again, DRINK LOTS OF WATER! Water flushes out toxins, keeps the body and brain hydrated, helps to keep you focussed, energised and healthy and helps to promote a healthier, happier YOU