Self Care for Men: 8 Habits that can Change Your Life

Is self-care just for women? Of course not. While self-care has become a hot topic in women’s spaces, self care for guys is an unsung hero. But what exactly does self care mean, and what does self care for men consist of? Keep reading and we’ll inspire you with some self care ideas specifically for men.

What is self care?

Self care is basically taking a moment (or a day) to focus on yourself. Although the pandemic has gotten better since 2020, many of us are still dealing with residual mental health issues like depression and anxiety, which means self care is more important than ever. The goal is to try to forget about the stress in your life and concentrate instead on how you feel and what you can do to feel better.

Self care can be taking a spa day, but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to take care of yourself, and you don’t even have to leave the house a lot of the time. Most of our favorite self-care rituals can be done at home, for cheap or even free.

Not sure how to start? No worries. We’re going to throw a lot of self-care inspiration at you in this article, so choose something you think you’ll enjoy. Keep in mind that self care is personal: something that feels amazing for you might feel like a chore for someone else. No matter which of these self-care rituals you decide to try, just keep in mind that the goal is to prioritize your physical, emotional, and mental health. If it feels good, you should find a way to work it into your schedule more often.

Self care ideas for men

Do Something Creative.

You don’t have to be a professional artist to express yourself creatively. It’s been shown that engaging in creative activities can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, increase positive emotions, improve your cognitive function, and alleviate stress.

The cool thing about creativity as self care is that there’s a wide range of activities to choose from. Some things you can try: journaling, writing a story or article, drawing, painting, playing a musical instrument, cooking a new recipe, mixing a tasty drink, taking photos, putting together a Lego set, or doing crafts like painting miniatures. Don’t worry about being productive or making something for public consumption – in order to truly reap the mental benefits of creative pursuits, do it purely for yourself. It doesn’t have to be good – you just have to enjoy doing it.

Get Moving.

If you’re exhausted after a long day at work, sometimes the last thing you want to do is to get off the couch. However, light to moderate exercise has been proven to improve your mood, your sleep, and your self-esteem. You don’t have to dedicate yourself to breaking a new weightlifting record or running a set number of miles, unless you want to. As long as you’re getting about 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day, you should notice some benefits.

Not sure how to start? Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Take a walk around your neighborhood on a nice day. Gather some friends to play a short game of basketball, soccer, or whatever sports you enjoy. Go for a swim in the summer. Even yard work and cleaning the house technically count as exercise, plus they make your living space more enjoyable to be in, which can also improve your mental health.

Nourish Yourself.

You may think of self-care food as something indulgent, like chocolate or a Frappuccino, but although having a treat every now and then is good for the soul, eating healthy foods is a better habit to get into and stick with. If you enjoy cooking, try a new recipe that’s packed with protein and vitamins. If that’s not an option for you, try replacing fast food meals with something from a healthier restaurant. Nowadays, it’s really easy to find healthy meals that are also delicious. Try to choose nutrient-dense foods with lots of vitamins and fiber, like fruit and vegetables, and lean meats like fish and chicken. Try to avoid deep-fried things, as delicious and tempting as they are.

Introducing more nourishing meals into your life will make you feel better overall. You may notice your digestion improving and you may even feel a positive change in your mood. You don’t have to give up your favorite indulgences – just try eating healthy more often and see how you feel! Your entire body will thank you.

Look Good, Feel Good.

Grooming is also an important part of self-care. When you’re grungy, you feel bleh overall; when you’re clean, you’re ready to take on the world.

Some guys invest in shaving kits that have special razors and nice-smelling creams and oils. Spending a little extra on a good quality shaving kit will up your self-care game and make you feel like you’re really investing in yourself, plus many guys report that setting time aside to focus on this ritual leave them feeling zen.

You can also create a relaxing shower ritual. Whether you shower at the beginning or the end of the day (or both), don’t just think of it as a necessary evil, something you do with the intention of not smelling like BO. Think of it as a peaceful moment, a few minutes you have all to yourself. Ways you can enhance your showering experience include adding a rejuvenating hair mask to your washing routine, exfoliating and moisturizing your skin, and choosing soap in scents you enjoy. Feel free to sing in the shower, or just stand there and ruminate as the water rushes over you. Think of your showering time as time you’re taking for yourself.

Declutter Your Space and Your Mind.

You’ve heard of “retail therapy”, right? Shopping can be therapeutic, but doing the opposite of shopping can be even more so.

Although it feels nice to treat yourself to new items, it can also feel really good to get rid of some stuff. We’re not suggesting that you go full minimalist (unless you want to), but sometimes it can be beneficial to go through your belongings and take stock of what you actually want and need. There are multiple benefits to decluttering, including a boost in mood and focus. Keeping your place clean, organized, and decluttered can keep your mind clear and relieve stress. Besides, the very process going through and organizing all of your stuff can be meditative.

Once you’ve decided what you’re getting rid of, try not to throw too much of it away. Find a nearby thrift store that supports a charity you believe in and donate as many items as you can. Knowing that you’re helping the cause can also give you a mood boost.

Get Outside.

Have you heard of seasonal depression? It’s pretty common for folks to feel down in the winter, and, although mental health is complicated, the lack of sunlight definitely isn’t helping matters. Sunlight has been shown to have a profound effect on mood and overall health. Getting some sun can increase your serotonin levels, plus the sun is the best natural source of vitamin D, which your body needs to function.

Take a moment to step out onto your porch in the middle of the day. Have a barbecue with your friends and family. Go on a hike, or just a walk around the local park. No matter how you go about it, getting fresh air and feeling the sun on your face is an easy way to take care of yourself. Just be sure to wear sunscreen, especially if you’re going to stay out there for a few hours.

Reflect on How Far You’ve Come.

Finally, a self-care ritual that can be done sitting down. Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve achieved in life. Have you gotten a promotion, left a toxic relationship, graduated from high school and/or college, moved out of your parents’ basement, bought a house, paid off a car, or generally taken steps towards living the life you want? That’s worth reflecting on. Take the time to congratulate yourself for how far you’ve come and let the feeling of accomplishment sink in. Then, keep the momentum going! You’re doing awesome.

Invest in Quality Underwear.

Remember how we mentioned decluttering earlier? Be sure to declutter your dresser, too. If you find any holey, stained, or fraying underwear along the way, toss it out. Clean, fresh underwear is the ideal foundation for any outfit, whether you’re going out or lounging around the house. Besides, you deserve to wear clothes that aren’t falling apart.

If you take inventory and realize that it’s time to refresh your underwear, you’re in the right place. Check out Leo’s selection of trunks, briefs, and boxer briefs for men and you’ll be sure to find a style that suits your needs. Our underwear for men is made using our high-tech signature fabrics for a perfect fit and an all-day fresh feel. They also feature an ergonomically designed pouch for superior support and comfort.

While you’re here, take a moment to browse our selection of underwear for men and choose the styles and colors that appeal to you. Feeling good starts from the inside out, and so does looking good. Try on our high-tech underwear that’s engineered for performance and you’ll notice a boost in confidence right away!