This week signifies Men’s Health Week, a national community initiative that aims to raise awareness on how we can support the mental health of men and boys everywhere.
All of us can support Men’s Health Week by actively encouraging the men and boys in our lives to seek support for their mental health, and by reassuring them that reaching out is a sign of strength.
Beyond Blue shares some great advice below on ‘Looking Out for Yourself’.
Looking Out for Yourself
Looking out for yourself is a bit like looking after a car. You know that regular maintenance keeps a car running well, even if it seems to generally be driving OK. And if things aren’t running smoothly, it’s time to book in a service.
Stay Healthy
There are many things you can do to help yourself stay well. A great starting point is to look after your body by staying physically active, eating healthily and getting plenty of sleep.
Other small things like going for a run, talking to a mate or a family member, getting out into the garden, or even just going for a walk outside can all be really helpful, too.
Even if you’re not feeling great, it’s important to try to keep doing the things that you usually enjoy, though you might not be enjoying them as much as usual. If you keep active and persist with them, you should eventually start to enjoy them a bit more and start to feel better.
Stay Connected
Having time with our mates is critical to our wellbeing. Spending time talking with your mates in person is best, even if it’s just a quick check-in or catching up for coffee. If it’s hard to meet up with your mates, even texting a mate to say ‘G’day’ can help make you, and them, feel more connected.
One way to stay in touch is to join a local group – whether it’s a footy team, a community group, or a weekly run or swim club, you’ll find meeting new people will help you feel more connected to the community around you.
Another way you can feel more connected is by checking in with your mates or by offering to support a mate who’s going through a rough patch.
Start a Conversation
If you’re going through a tough time, talking about how you’re feeling can be hard. But keeping silent could make it seem even worse. You don’t have to go through this alone. Support from friends, family or a health professional can help. If you’re worried about someone and avoiding starting a conversation with them about your concerns, simply letting them know you care can make a big difference.