When you think of self care, what comes to mind? If you look to the larger wellness industry, this phrase has become synonymous with activities like facials, massages and meditation. Needless to say, we’re fans of all those things, but we are on a mission to dive deeper into what “self care” can mean on any given day. More specifically, we are excited to extend the exploration of self care to men as they’re often not the focus of the conversation.

The best self care ideas for men

If you’re a guy looking to find some inspiration or you have a man in your life you want to support – keep reading for our top self care ideas.

Schedule in break time

We all have busy days, and when the calendar fills up it’s easy for your own care to be the first to go. In order to prioritize time for the basics, schedule in your breaks like you would a work meeting, in your calendar.

It may seem simple, but locking in time to grab lunch or get your workout in will hold you accountable to making time for the foundation of self care activities. Never look up at three o’clock and realize you haven’t had lunch again!

Find your meditation equivalent 

The magic of meditation is that it helps you take a break from the noise of day-to-day life.  The exercise of taking a pause  can be more challenging than ever when we live in such a connected world. If meditation sounds like a promising self care practice for you, check out our full writeup on all of its benefits.

If you are looking for other ways to turn inward, you’re not alone! There are countless methods to find a moment of stillness in your day, simply look at the activities you already enjoy. Do you love to write but rarely make the time? Implement a journaling practice that you can knock out first thing in the morning or as an official end to your day. If writing isn’t your preference, make time to go on a walk but leave the headphones at home to really enjoy the benefits of being present. 

Set growth-oriented goals 

Nothing gets the dopamine flowing like crushing a hard-earned goal! Setting goals can help you find purpose in everyday life and build your confidence as you work towards achieving them. Your goal can be focused on any aspect of your life, just remember to make it a growth-oriented goal. This goal should be achievable, but still a stretch beyond what you normally expect of yourself in order to achieve personal growth. 

If you’re not sure where to start, using the popular “SMART” goal setting process will help frame your future goal. The SMART method recommends a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timebound. For example, I’m going to workout four times a week this month using my ClassPass membership! 

Invest in your social circle 

We all know life is better with friends, but it’s easy to overlook the effort it takes to make new friends or maintain lifelong friendships. Just like you would invest time into a job or a romantic relationship, it’s important to invest effort into your friendships. Taking time to initiate plans with friends or simply check in on someone you haven’t heard from in awhile will help keep your social ties strong. These friendships will make the good times better and the hard times easier, a crucial support system for whatever you are going through. 

Get ahead of anxiety 

Anxiety can affect us all in different ways, but if you know what normally triggers anxiety for you then you’re able to get ahead of it. Being proactive with your anxiety can be as simple as making a plan of attack. For example, if you know your finances are a source of stress, set aside time at the beginning of the month to plan out financial goals and a target budget. Then, use those goals as reminders to check your bank account on a regular basis and get ahead of any concerns. 

The same goes for work anxiety. The well-known “sunday scaries” can strike right before a big work week, but you don’t have to spend your whole day building up to the stress of Monday. Instead, test out allocating an hour to “work prep” during your weekend. Then use the work prep time to make any necessary adjustments to your weekly to-do list and calendar to ensure you are going into your week prepared. 

Listen to your body’s stress signals

Last but not least, resist the urge to tune out signs of stress. If you are feeling overwhelmed, odds are your body is in need of a break – don’t be afraid to take it. Whether it is a hectic work day calling for a moment away from your computer or your body telling you to take a rest day from the gym, physical stress and mental stress are often one in the same. Lean into what your body and mind need on any given day to ensure you can be the best version of yourself.

Interested in even more self care ideas? Stay tuned for future self care posts, but check out our wellness offerings while you’re waiting.