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6 Mood Boosters for Men

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Times are tough for everyone.

Even if you’re financially unaffected by the current crisis, there’s a lot going on in the world. Many of us are feeling isolated, uncertain about the future, and worried about adapting to a “new normal.”

 

Stereotypically, men aren’t known for their emotions or tending to their mental health. Dr. David Plans, CEO of BioBeats, says, “Men are taught from an early age, either by cultural referencing around them or by direct parenting, to be tough, not to cry, and to ‘crack on.’”

 

What we all need to realize as humans, is that emotion is universal, and we should all be focused on our mental (as well as physical) health right now.

 

June is Men’s Health Month, so we think this is a perfect time to give you some valuable tips to improve your mental health. These tips can apply to any gender, so no matter who you are, you’ll get something from this list.

 

  1. Recognize that You’re Feeling Stressed

 

Keeping your feelings and emotions bottled up might make you seem strong on the outside, but over time, it’ll take a major toll on your health. So, the first step is to take a deep breath and acknowledge that there are circumstances that you can’t control that are making you feel a certain way.

 

  1. Listen to Depressing Music

 

Say what?

 

This might seem counterintuitive, but the idea behind this strategy is that it can be cathartic. Instead of suppressing emotions, a sad song or movie can be the catalyst that helps you cry or embrace the feelings you’re experiencing. 

 

  1. Do a Digital Cleanse

 

If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, take a break from social media. It could be just a few hours or a few days. Again, you might think this seems like an odd tip. After all, social media is a way to interact with others, right?

 

However, social media can make you feel depressed. The reason is that we tend to compare ourselves to others. On social media, you’re seeing someone’s “highlight reel.” Your acquaintances might be bragging about a major accomplishment, and if all you’ve done so far today is get out of bed, it can make you feel like you’re not doing anything worthwhile.

 

A short break can do wonders for your mental health, especially if you take the time to do something productive for you.

 

  1. Keep a Gratitude Journal

 

It’s easy to get bogged down in the negativity, but if you’re reading this, then things can’t be that bad, right?

 

You don’t have to be a master writer to keep a gratitude journal. All you need is five minutes a day to write down a few things you’re grateful for. Our favorite tool is called The Five Minute Journal, and it’s a quick way to jot down your feelings and what you’re grateful for in a way that’s meaningful. Start your day with this activity, and see how much your mental health improves!

 

  1. Set Aside “Me” Time

 

Men aren’t known for indulging in spa days or vent sessions, but this downtime can be valuable for mental health.

 

“Me time” could be any activity that you view as self-care, but here’s some inspiration to get you started:

 

  • Treat yourself to your favorite meal
  • Exercise for 30 minutes
  • Meditate
  • Take a nap
  • Practice a hobby
  • Call a friend to reconnect

 

  1. Watch Your Diet

 

Resist the temptation to indulge in drugs or alcohol, which might help you take your mind off things momentarily, but will ultimately do more harm than good.

 

Instead, consume foods that are known to boost mental health. These include:

 

  • Omega-3 rich foods like fish, nuts, and flax seeds
  • Healthy fats like avocados, coconut oil, and olive oil
  • Hearty snacks like baked sweet potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit
  • Dark chocolate (avoid milk chocolate)

 

 Do you have any tips to improve mood and mental health? Let us know in the comments!

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