Men’s Health and Happiness is in Your Reach
November is Men’s health awareness month and it was an important reminder for everyone to prioritize their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Prioritizing your physical health is important because it directly impacts your overall wellbeing and productivity and even the relationships you have with others close to you. Self-care is so important in maintaining our overall health and the collective set of practices that we engage in to make sure that we are happy and healthy.
It’s crucial that promoting Men’s health is not just once a month but every day of the year. It’s time to break down stigmas about seeking help for mental and emotional wellness and be in control of your journey on a path to better wellbeing.
KL’s men’s wellness experts Stan Matthew, Neil White and Will Johnny took some time to share their views, teachings and parts of their daily routine. Ultimately, each stated that your approach to self-care and health boils down to the quality, intention, and being proactive towards your action, routine and goals.
Stan Matthew: Take Care of Yourself
“My health is important to me. I only have one body and it must take me places. So, I must eat properly, drink plenty of water, go for regular health check-ups, keep physically and mentally sharp, practice different forms of self-care and make sure to get adequate sleep and rest. A respected and senior Cultural worker always said to me, take care of yourself, mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Go to the water, go to the ocean, practice prayer – both giving and receiving, go to the mountains, enjoy quiet time with no TV, headphones or screen time. In order to prevent burnout take care of yourself. You must be calm, patient and tune into messages and signs. Do not be afraid of culture because it is in us. Even if we don’t think it is,”
Kwa-sun-itun, Neil White: Self-reflection is Key
“The pioneers that mentored me were so in depth about everything they shared and always spoke of the importance of rejuvenating mind, body, spirit and our physical health. The key message always included the importance of reflection, being consistent, and ask yourself what are you feeding your mind, body and spirit? I reflect on their teachings daily and always seek opportunities to grow, challenging self and make any necessary changes for my self-care routine and take time to reflect on my own perspectives relating to my health and wellness and being accountable to self. It’s up to you. What are you feeding your mind, body and spirit?”
Will Johnny: Take Time for You and Be Intentional
“I enjoy journaling to record my thoughts and feelings. I also record interesting and motivational quotes which make me think or challenge any perspectives that I have. After a few months I re-read my journal from the start. I reflect and ask myself, ‘What was going on for me?’ Reflecting and interpreting my thoughts and messages is an important exercise for me. In addition to the journaling I work on my self-care by going golfing and spending four hours being outside with friends and getting my steps in. It’s also important for me to practice cultural self-care by participating in ceremony at the long house, drumming and singing with relatives (connection), allowing myself to let go of negative thoughts through smudging and grounding myself through different breathing techniques and participate in a sunrise bath first thing in the morning at the river.”
However you choose to do it, taking care of your health and wellness should be a priority. There are 5 main pillars of self-care that we need to be aware of: mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and social self-care. Here are a few ways to work on each:
Mental
Listen to an interesting podcast or YouTube story/video – funny cat videos don’t count
Make time to read, unplug and reduce screen time
Say yes to learning and professional development opportunities
Emotional
Strengthen emotional regulation skills and coping mechanisms by signing up for personal one to one therapy
Spend time journaling to better understand your feelings and where they come from
Practice your emotions in your daily life rather than reacting to them
Physical
Keep up and prioritize regular doctor visits
Address health issues as they arise instead of letting a busy schedule get in the way
Take care of your body by exercising regularly, eating nourishing foods and drinking water
Spiritual
Go for a sunrise bath at the river (in flowing water)
Attend ceremony at the longhouse and participate in drumming and singing
Smudge to let go of negativity and cleanse mind, body and spirit
Practice yoga and breathing exercises to connect with self
Make your chosen spiritual practice a priority – start by setting aside 10 minutes a day
Connect with individuals that help boost your spiritual well being
Social
Start a hobby or activity that connects you with others like joining a recreational sports league or learning to dance or attending a culture night performance
Check in with friends and family members regularly (it’s okay to put reminders on your calendar)
Do not let social media take the place of real social interaction, plan to see loved ones in person or give them a call
Read our Tum’xuytl’ (Winter) Newsletter here