Last week (13-19th June) we celebrated Men’s Health Week.
We took the time to learn more about Men’s health, both mental and physical. Starting conversations around both topics is of the utmost importance to encourage men and boys to live healthy and happy lives.
We want to share what we have learnt on our journey throughout our research and our conversations with the men around us. We want to show our support, spread awareness, and provide helpful tips for men who may need them. We are by your side.
Managing Stress
We all experience stress throughout our lives, and we know how much of an impact it can have on day-to-day living. So what can you do to help manage stress?
We have taken the time to look into the most effective ways of managing stress, and we hope that they will be helpful for you.
1. Talk About Your Feelings
It can be difficult to open up and talk about how you’re feeling but talking with friends, family, or colleagues can be a helpful way to cope with emotions. Find a method that works for you – whether that’s having a phone call with a friend, meeting a family member for coffee, or even taking a walk with a colleague on your lunch break. Talking can help and your loved ones want to hear you!
2. A Good Night's Sleep
Having a good night’s sleep has both a positive impact on the mind and the body. Many bodily processes happen during sleep, repairing cells, restoring energy, and more. Try to build positive sleeping routines, such as going to bed at the same time every night, decreasing screen time 1hr before bed and lowering the lights in good time.
3. Remember To Exercise
We don’t need to tell you how great exercise is for the body, but we understand how difficult it can be to squeeze in fitness in busy schedules. Even 10 minutes of exercise can have a great impact on the body; try a light stretch and workout in the morning when you get up, or a quick walk after dinner in the evening. The smallest changes can make the biggest difference.
4. Have Some "Me" Time
Don’t forget your self-care! Self-care can come in many forms and looks different for everyone. Try to do something every day that you love and makes your mind and body feel good. This can be anything from cooking, painting or listening to music, to reading a book or even taking up some yoga. You do you!
5. Structure Your Day
The amount we must complete in a day can be overwhelming and stressful. Planning your day can eliminate that stress and allow you to balance your time correctly between your must-do’s and want-to-do’s!
Work-Life Balance
Finding a balance between your work life and personal life can be hard, but by making small changes to your daily routines and establishing your boundaries, you can reorganise your day so that you avoid burnout.
1. Take Breaks
By taking short, regular breaks at work you can avoid burnout and actually improve your performance. You might also find that you feel energised after work!
2. See Your Friends
We understand that sometimes it can be hard to maintain motivation to be social and see your friends. However, research has found that seeing your friends actually increases your mood and promotes a feeling of comfort and security.
3. Make Fun Plans
Making future plans can be helpful for motivation. By having something to look forward to you can actually reduce stress and increase your mood! A sense of anticipation can also be used as a motivator to get through those harder days.
4. Take Your Holidays
By taking your entitled holidays you can revive your mind and combat fatigue, as well as improve your overall efficiency. Taking your holidays also allows you to relax and enjoy your home time – you deserve it!
5. Set Boundaries At Work
By establishing boundaries at work you can ensure that your needs are being met. Communicate clearly with those in your workplace, and learn that saying ‘no’ is okay. In the long-run this will improve your workplace relationships, productivity and overall wellbeing. You are a priority!
Physical Health
Finding a balance between taking care of your mental health, your physical health and all of life’s responsibilities can be tricky. But we have good news! In our learning journey, we have found that steps to take care of your mental health and physical health have something in common; habits you can create in daily life.
1. Self-Care
Self-care means taking care of yourself and can look different for everyone. A few things you could try are reading, taking a bath, or listening to music. Self-care is important because it elevates your mood and maintains a healthy relationship with yourself. P.S. Feel more confident by looking after your skin and moisturising your face daily! It deserves that glow-up.
2. Exercise
Exercise is so important, affecting both your physical and mental wellbeing. It is recommended to do at least 30 minutes of exercise every day! By following a regular exercise routine, you can reduce multiple health risks, increase your quality of life and can have a massive impact on mood.
3. Check Yourself
How often do you check yourself? Did you know it is recommended to do it once a month? You can also go to your doctor to have them check for you if you’re unsure, although we understand that this can feel a bit embarrassing. There’s nothing to be ashamed about – they see this stuff every day! Checking yourself can bring you peace of mind and build a healthy routine of familiarity with your own body.
Here’s an article explaining how to check and what to look for: https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/testicles-faqs
4. Eat Healthy & Drink Plenty Water
Eating healthy reduces risk of serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes, as well as reducing stress, improving your mood, general wellbeing and assisting with daily bodily functions. Try to make sure you drink the recommended 1.5 litres of water per day!
5. Don't Avoid The GP
In a study, nearly two-thirds of men said they avoid going to the doctor as long as possible! Men often believe that they ‘should’ be strong enough to do it on their own, or they feel embarrassed and vulnerable about finding out the outcome. By avoiding the doctor, you could be missing warning signs for more serious conditions that could affect you later in life.
The GP is there to help you. Listen to your body and don’t wait until it’s too late!
We hope these tips are useful. If you’d like a PDF copy of our tips to distribute in your workplace, please request one using the button below. You never know who might need support!
A huge thank you to all the men on our team who have helped us create a deeper understand of men’s health and helped us through our journey!
Want to learn more about Reduce My Costs? Click the pink button to meet our team and explore our core values. Alternatively, click the purple button to see how we care for our community!
Helpful Links:
Whelthy provides a personalised hub for you to improve your long-term overall lifestyle. Visit www.whelthy.com and use the code HEROES100 for free unlimited access to Whelthy!
Need help with your work-life balance? Please take time to read the link attached, which goes into more depth on how to implement these strategies into your work-life routine effectively.
https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/how-to-achieve-a-worklife-balance/
Looking for someone to talk to? CALM are available to chat to online or via phone 5pm – 12am every day. This service is free and confidential to all men in the UK – it won’t even show up on your phone bill!
