We’re living in a time where self-care, mental and physical wellbeing and avoiding burnout is not only popular, but encouraged. The very notion of self-care conjures up images of spa days, meditation and yoga, mindfulness and healthy living. Despite all of these positive activities, the concept of self-care is often mistakenly seen as a "feminine" activity.
It's about time we break this stereotype and embrace the fact that men deserve self-care, without judgement, too. Looking after yourself, taking pride in your physical and mental health, does not take away the ability to be masculine or manly. In fact, acknowledging the need for respite and choosing to take care of yourself is the epitome of a secure man.
If you’re looking for the ultimate guide to men’s self-care, look no further, we’ve got you covered!
The Importance of Self-Care
First things first, whatever your gender identity, why is taking the time out for self-care seen as so important?
The mental health benefits to practising self-care are perhaps the best of all. Stress and anxiety are no longer topics that are swept under the rug, with mental health advocates making societal change in both attitudes and legislation. For men, speaking openly and honestly about mental health struggles can be more difficult. However, we’ve come a long way from the “stiffen up”, “be a man” era that the older generation are more used to, and are routinely encouraging men to express their emotions without fear of shame or judgement.
As well as talking, self-care practices like taking a relaxing bath, can help alleviate stress and promote mental clarity. By dedicating time to unwind, men can better manage their mental health, reducing the risks of burnout and emotional fatigue.
Self-care isn’t all about mental wellbeing either, taking care of your physical health is also paramount in contributing to a better quality of life. Stress, for example, has been linked to various health issues, such as high blood pressure and weakened immune systems. Ensuring you’re routinely exercising, consuming nutritious foods and avoiding harmful activities such as excessive drinking and smoking all link back to your mental wellbeing too.
If that isn’t enough to convince you of a healthy self-care routine, making sure you’re looking after yourself also boosts self-esteem and confidence. A well-groomed appearance, healthy skin, and a relaxed demeanour can make a significant difference in how you both feel and are perceived by others.
Curating the Perfect At-Home Self-Care Evening.
Practising self-care means planning out dedicated time. Whether you have 30 minutes or 2 hours to spare, switch off your phone, block out the noise of your daily life, and focus entirely on “you.”
In a previous blog, we shared the reasons why a regular hot soak in the bath is extremely beneficial. From reducing blood pressure to simply quieting the mind, baths are our favourite way to indulge in an evening of self-care.
Plugging the drain and running hot water doesn’t exactly scream “self-care”, but taking these extra steps can elevate your regular soak into the ultimate self-care hour that you’ll look forward to every single week.
First things first, set the mood. Either dim the main light or light a handful of candles to create an ambient, calming atmosphere. Next, as your bath is running, sprinkle some scented bath salts into the running water and allow the notes to fill the room. Once in the water, these bath salts will also improve skin hydration and remove impurities.
Adding a non-synthetic bath bomb with quality, natural ingredients will infuse essential oils into the water for a relaxing soak. To take care of your skin and scrub away the nasties of the day, use an exfoliating soap to cleanse and revitalise your skin.
Whilst in the bath, apply one of our face mask bars. Choose from Charcoal or Matcha, our masks address common issues like oiliness, dryness and dehydrated skin. Let the mask work its magic whilst you relax, leaving your face feeling clean, firm, and fresh.
To finish off your at-home spa experience, lock in moisture with our post-bath moisturising balm for maximum hydration.
The Long-Term Benefits of a Regular Self-Care Routine.
We’re all guilty of only indulging in self-care when we’ve had a very stressful day, we’ve received some bad news or we’ve finally reached burnout. The thing is, self-care shouldn’t be something we practise only once we experience severe stress. A self-care routine should be frequent, no matter whether you’re struggling or smooth sailing.
A healthy self-care routine improves your overall mental wellbeing and allows you to better manage the daily stressors you face, consequently leading to improved focus and productivity. As well as this, consistent use of high-quality products, like those in our bathing gift boxes, can lead to significant improvements in skin health and general self esteem.
Finally, incorporating regular self-care days into your routine helps establish a broader habit of taking the time to love and care for yourself. This not only benefits your skin and mental health but also encourages a more mindful approach to life, where you prioritise your well-being.
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Self-care isn't, and should never be seen as, a luxury - it is a necessity. As men, it's crucial to recognise the value of taking time for yourself, and there’s no better way to do this than by indulging in a regular, healthy bathing routine with high-quality products.
Our men's bathing gift boxes are designed to make this easy and enjoyable, offering everything you need to relax, rejuvenate, and restore both body and mind. Remember, you deserve it.
Tag us in your self-care bathing set up on social @SentoBathing 📷 🛁 🫧
