Top Tips for Maintaining Good Mental Health
International Men’s Health Week has been marked every year since 2002 and is designed to focus on health issues affecting men. Held in the week leading up to Father’s Day, International Men’s Health Week takes place this year between 15th and 21st June.
It was originally set up by a collection of groups to raise awareness of various health issues facing men, from things like prostate cancer and other physical conditions to mental health problems.
The official colour for Men’s Health Week is blue, and many people wear blue ribbons to symbolise prostate cancer, but also to show support for health issues affecting men in general.
During the week, men are encouraged to take steps to improve their health and lead longer and healthier lives. There are many ways to do this, depending on age and physical status, but one of the most commonly agreed on sentiments is that a healthy body means a healthy mind.
Therefore it is important for men to focus on all aspects of their health.
Tips for Looking after your Mental Health
It is a stark reality that the biggest killer of men under the age of 40 in the UK is suicide and surveys show that one in three men have had suicidal thoughts at some point.
That’s why it is so important for men to take steps to look after their mental health and here are just some the ways they can do that.
Talk
It sounds like the easiest thing in the world, but for many men it can often be the hardest, especially when it comes to talking about their feelings. However, having a chat with other men doesn’t always have to involve exploring your deepest, darkest feelings. Simply the act of socialising, opening up and talking about whatever is on your mind can be beneficial as we become less closed off to the world.
Take up a Hobby
Put your mind to work and give it a bit of challenge by taking up a hobby. When our minds get challenged, they tend to focus away from the negative things we tend to dwell on which can lead to bad mental health.
Exercise
Exercise isn’t just great for our physical health, it can also contribute a lot to our mental wellbeing as well. Doing regular exercise helps release endorphins which contribute to a good feeling.
Get out and About
Whether it is for exercise or leisure, enjoying the great outdoors can do wonders for your mental health. Enjoying fresh air and focusing on nature around you can help give you a healthy perspective on the world which can expand your mind.
Read
Keeping your mind active can help your mental health. When we experience poor mental health, we tend to dwell on negative thoughts and this can create a destructive cycle. By reading, whether it is fiction or non-fiction, we can explore different worlds, stories and characters. This can help us not to dwell obsessively on those destructive thoughts.
Male Menopause
Male menopause can be a difficult time for some older men, with symptoms beginning to affect their well-being and daily life. This informative guide from Optimale aims to shed more light about male menopause and its impact on mental health: separating facts from fiction, understanding the different changes and conditions, and offering helpful tips and information for men.
