What can be done to help men with their mental health?
Well, just like with everyone they should associate themselves with the correct people, not just anyone, for fear of judgment. A trusted friend or partner, an educator is best, and research should be conducted on the person. Start by sharing small or share in third person view (my friend is having such problems what you think could help him) or in the fourth person. Let us say if you had to be in a situation as such what would you do. Mental health also aligns with physical health, if your physical health is not in shape then it affects your mental. You should remember to keep the body active and moving, no need for expensive simple at home exercise such as walking using stairs, and some jumping jacks, rope skipping such exercises can do great wonders for the brain and body. Diest also plays its role, one needs a balanced diet, you do not have to go all out but ensuring you drink enough water (if you hate drinking water then start walking to get thirsty) water offers great hydration. Eat fruits and vegetables, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, just having one fruit a day (apple, banana pear and in season oranges or nartjies) eating it in the early morning or evening not much just one if needed one lemon is great. And one vegetable a day (carrot, tomato, cabbage spinach or bitter spinach(muchina) beans leaves. Pumpkin leaves) the list continues just having a few of these is also great. Even if you are fussy just pick one fruit you enjoy and stick to it, pick one exercise. Taking a break off social media, the random scrolling just give your eyes some rest. Taking a breather its great. Not everyone is a people’s person, but still human interactions are needed. Apart from family just visiting a store filled with people, or a restaurant with people. Can help your mind and anxiety, or just going to sit outside where people are just going by and greeting you will make you mind feel refreshed and renewed for the next day. Yes, there is pressure for men to succeed and to be the stronger it is okay to feel weak, it is okay to want to cry and feel overwhelmed it is what you need to do from feeling overwhelmed. Take rest you too have a limit and there is so much your mind and body can take. If you feel like crying do, please cry, if you cannot trust anyone trust God, cry to him, and talk to him.
Psalms 142:1-7 NLT New Living Translation,
I cry out to the LORD; I plead for the LORD’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. (“Psalm 142 NLT - Psalm 142 - A psalm of David, regarding - Bible Gateway”) Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. (“I look for someone to come and help me, - Bible Gateway”) Then I pray to you, O LORD. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. (“Psalms 142:5 Then I pray to you, O LORD. I say, “You are my place of ...”) Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. (“Psalm 142:6 Listen to my cry, for I am brought quite low. Rescue me ...”) Bring me out of prison so I can thank you. The godly will crowd around me, for you are good to me.” (“Bring me out of prison so I can thank - Bible Gateway”)
he will never make you feel anxious about your tears and moment of weakness. Crying is great it releases stress and the emotions that have been suppressed. Do not try to bottle things up all in the name of being a man because one day the pressure will be too much, and it will be releases at the wrong place and wrong crowd. Your life matters, never feel like your life is not important, your life is extremely important, because someone out there is looking up to you and being inspired by the little things you do. The courage you carry inspire someone. Just think of it as a chain how someone is staying alive for your sake and someone is living because you are living, and if you had to end it all then how many lives and dreams are to follow you. Believe in your dream more than anyone, nothing is ever easy in this life, all is fair because you can decide your outcome. It is okay to feel like everything is slipping away and you have lost it all, but stand strong take some time to yourself, take time to gather your thoughts to just get yourself together. It does not matter how long this time takes, be it a day or a month or year just take the time but do remember that time waits for no one. Heal from the traumas that you might have faced or experienced. It is okay to vulnerable it does not mean you are weak it means that you know yourself well and understand the changes happening to and in you. Seek professional help when you have challenges, it is easier for some men to discuss problems with men, hence get yourself good male mentors, who will teach you and guide you through the experiences and hold your manly hand in the journey of life. find male therapists who might get it from your perspective, talk to your mom and grandmother, even your uncles, find it in in your spare time to just share your concerns with those who have lived life before you and the great thing about your mom or grandma or your guardian they know most of your bad habits than you know, do not try to drown the pain with alcohol or patch it with smoking or disguise it with sleeping around, face it head on, this way you deal with it at the root and it has no way of ever returning and even if it has to return you know how best to deal with it. Here is more information on how to take better care of yourself as the great man you are or trying to be.
Men’s Mental Health: 11 Tips for Taking Care of Your Whole Self(article)
Strength in Vulnerability: Strategies for Improving Men’s Mental Health
Getting helps with your mental health (article)
Men and have feelings. Let us tell our boys that it is okay to express their feeling and our men should heal with shame. Hope you enjoyed the month and will do your best to take care of yourself. Stay hydrated, one fruit and vegetable a day, and remember imperfection is perfection. Stay safe and man(y) —a reminder that being a man comes with many layers, and all of them are valid.