What is self-care? And why does it matter? - man with his dog

Self Care: Why It's Important

Posted by Sandra Scott on

At Otis, we’re all about making sure men look (and feel) their best.

And that comes from taking good care of yourself.

Self-care lets you reach your true potential, and live a happier, healthier, more successful life – and looking good while you’re doing it!

It’s something men need to prioritize.

Below we look at why self-care is so important for guys. And follow up with some ideas on how to add self-care into your daily life.

 

What is self-care? And why does it matter for men? - image of man looking stressed

Ignoring your own needs can lead to feelings of burnout, anxiety and depression

 

What is self-care? 

It’s something that’s being talked about more and more… and that can only be a good thing.

Self-care affects so many areas of your life, which is why it’s important to take good care of yourself.

Self-care is so much more than just pampering yourself.

It can take many forms but essentially it means taking care of your mental, emotional, and physical health.

So that you can…

  • be healthy and happy
  • you can do your job
  • you can help and care for others
  • you can do all the things you need to accomplish
  • and achieve all the things you want to achieve.

It’s everything you need to prioritize in order to reach your potential.

 

 

Why self-care is important for men 

Ignoring your own needs can have far reaching consequences. With feelings of burnout, anxiety, emptiness - and even depression.

And when you’re not able to care for yourself, it’s nearly impossible to care for others.

It’s why simply being mindful of your own needs, and practicing self-care in any capacity, should become a priority for men.

Because "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?" to quote drag legend, RuPaul. 

Can we get an amen?

 

 

What is self-care? And why does it matter?

Self-care helps you lead a happier, healthier, more successful life

  

The benefits of self-care 

When you focus on achieving a healthy balance in your own well-being and happiness it can show results in so many positive ways.

Self-care breeds confidence

The more you invest in yourself, the more you’re going to build self-worth. And by practising self-care you’re telling yourself that you’re worth it every single day.

 

Self-care curbs depression and keeps you healthy

How you engage with your body (and what you put inside it) affects your mood and your energy levels.

Adopting a proper diet and exercising regularly affects more than just how you look on the outside.

 

Self-care elevates your presence

When you’re taking good care of yourself, eating right and taking time to exercise regularly, you’ll stand taller, your clothes will fit you better. It shows in how you hold yourself and so people respond better to you. You look worthy of respect.

And good grooming is part of that.

Take care of your hair (and your beard) and always prioritize good skin care.

 

Self-care will help you achieve your true potential

You need to be coming from a strong place, in order to carry out all the things you know that you’re capable of.

 

Self-care impacts those around you

It allows you to establish a positive attitude, and that translates to good feelings for others around you.

  

What is self-care? - having fun sitting together with friends sharing a meal at restaurant

Having meaningful experiences with the people you care about

 

Self-care ideas for guys to stay mentally and physically strong 

How you practice self-care is up to you.

It can mean anything you want it to mean as long as it will help you to stay physically and mentally healthy and strong.

But here’s some self-care ideas to get you started…

 

  1. Workout

Regular exercise builds muscles, boosts endurance and delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. It helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently too. 
And the physical affects the mental.
Working out stimulates endorphins that leave you feeling happier and more relaxed, and alleviating any symptoms of depression and anxiety. 
On top of that…
  • Regular exercise helps you fall asleep faster - and sleep more deeply
  • Improves your sexual performance and enjoyment
  • And helps prevent a wide range of health problems - from high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes, to diabetes and arthritis.
And it helps you feel better about your appearance, which boosts your self-confidence - leaving you energized, in a better mood, and feeling good about yourself.
We could go on, but suffice to say, working out is one of the best things you can do for your physical, emotional and mental health.

 

  1. Spend quality time with friends and family

We are social beings.
And prioritizing time out with people you care about is what life is all about.
Having meaningful conversations and experiences makes you feel less isolated and more connected.

 

  1. Journal

Writing your thoughts down every day gives you perspective. It helps to organise things in your mind and focus on the best way forward.
Journaling trains your brain to search for positive things in your life.

It gives you the chance for some reflexion, and the space to write down your goals, keep track of your progress, and stay accountable.

 

  1. Go for a walk

Break up the routine of your day with a walk.
If it can be outside in nature, then so much the better. But even a five minute walk around the office to stretch your legs helps to Improve your mood, and get the creative juices going.
There’s the obvious physical benefits of walking. It’s an excellent form of exercise.
But walking can also alleviate stress, shine a new light on a problem and give you the chance to reset before carrying on with your day.

 

  1. Say NO and don’t feel guilty

‘NO’ is a very powerful word.
It means that you’re setting boundaries - and shows others what those boundaries are. Use it as often as you need to put yourself first.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.

 

 

The Takeaway 

It’s something all men should prioritize.

Self-care lets you reach your true potential - living a happier, healthier, more successful life.

And looking good while you’re doing it!

What form it takes is up to you, but here’s a few self-care ideas to get you started…

  1. Workout
  2. Spend quality time with friends and family
  3. Journal
  4. Go for a walk
  5. Say NO and don’t feel guilty

Then double down on the benefits of self-care with Otis Skincare High-Performance Skincare for Men – so you're looking as good as you're feeling.

 

SHOP THE ROUTINE.
All you need to stay looking handsome. 

 

PRESTIGE SKINCARE FOR MEN.
MADE IN FRANCE.

FRENCH FLAG - BLEU, BLANC, ROUGE

 

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