Growing up as a Gen X Texas boy, it was never considered to be ‘manly’ to show emotions (unless those emotions happened to be something to do with courage, perhaps). Sadly, this is a recurring theme with many fellow men I have visited with. Dealing with emotions is something that every human must contend with, although many still deal with self-shaming if they are publicly seen in a vulnerable state.
Why many feel this way is important to understand, and how to change this attitude towards better mental health for men is of critical importance. There are many things that men can do to help with mental health, and the goal of this article is to highlight some of those as well as bringing light to the vulnerability many men feel when discussing this topic.
Good mental health can have many definitions. It might mean being able to fight off feelings of inadequacy. It might also mean bringing oneself out of a state of depression or from a state of consistent anxiety. If you ask many men, “How are you feeling today?”, you are likely to get a canned answer of “Fine.” Sadly, hiding emotions or vulnerabilities is how many men live their daily lives…but are there things that men can do to help with these feelings?
There are many things men can do to improve their mental health. Sometimes it is as simple as getting outside in the sunshine and breathing some fresh air. Many of us are stuck inside and staring at computer screens for most of the day, neither of which is particularly good for mental clarity. Many studies have shown that a high percentage of the population is deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D has been shown to have a great effect on mood in humans, and not surprisingly, with our modern lifestyles, many are deficient.
Popular myths abound about Vitamin D. One of the most popular is that if you just get out in the sun, your body will produce plenty of Vitamin D. Unfortunately, this is not true for most of us. Vitamin D is only produced when very specific areas of the body are exposed to direct sunlight (specifically our midsection), and most of us can’t walk around the afternoon shirtless. I personally learned this the hard way, as I drive a Jeep and have the top off any chance I get. Even with a great tan and lots of sun exposure, my Vitamin D levels were very low. Luckily for all of us, many good supplements are available over the counter to help naturally raise Vitamin D levels to where they should be. There are many combos now available with Vitamin D, so finding a trusted source where you can ask questions to get the right combo is critical.
Often referred to as the ‘second brain’, the flora, also known as beneficial bacteria, in our guts, is often overlooked. It has been shown in many research studies that the health of the gut flora can heavily affect many aspects of the body, one being the mind. We all have a complement of good bacteria that live in our intestines to help with the breakdown of food. These beneficial bacteria also release compounds that affect the function of our bodies. Far too often, this flora does not receive the nutrients needed to flourish. Here is where a good probiotic and a diet high in fiber can come into play. Probiotics help replenish the gut flora and fiber, because it is insoluble, can provide much-needed nourishment for these bacteria. In the typical American diet, we do not consume nearly enough fiber and other nutrient-dense foods to feed our gut flora, so supplementation can be an effective way to garner better gut health.
Other factors that affect a lot of men today are stress and anxiety. These two conditions are paired together, as stress may not necessarily lead to anxiety, but anxiety will most certainly manifest into stress within the body. While moderate levels of stress can actually be good for us, the high levels of stress we face today are not. High levels of stress can bring down the immune system and cause irritability as well as inflammation throughout the body as cortisol levels rise. As most disease states in the body are a direct result of inflammation, it is easy to see why reducing stress levels is of critical importance. There are a number of things men can do to help alleviate stress levels. Having a good physical outlet, like hitting the gym, can definitely get some endorphins going, which will result in lower stress levels. Finding other outlets, like a good hobby, whether fishing, playing music, or anything else that helps you unwind, can also be beneficial. It is critical to schedule time for yourself to allow some unwinding from the stresses of the day. Additional help can be found in some great supplements that can help bring down anxiety levels.
The most important aspect of men’s mental health is realizing that we need to consciously focus on that. For far too long, it has been something that is ignored and often stigmatized. Taking some time to allow for a recharge and finding a good, trusted resource to learn about supplementation is also very important. There is a lot of information out there on the subject if you take the time to do some research. We are happy to invite you to Nature’s Presence to ask any questions and to help you on your journey to better MENtal health!
