Men's Health 19th November 2022
MEN!
Now that we’ve got your attention with a dinosaur riding a shark, let’s talk about health… It’s simple, right? Nope. One simple principle of health is that if you don’t look after your health your body and brain won’t work as well.
So please allow me to introduce myself and introduce you to some concepts that will help you function better and have less pain.
My name is Andy Knibbs I’m a chiropractor with 17 years experience in Stoke on Trent and I’ve seen many types of men's health problems in men of all different ages and I wanted to share just 5 things which will help you have better mental and physical health:
1. Move!
Movement feeds your body and brain with energy. If you are feeling low, either physically or mentally, getting up and about will stimulate your body and mind with lots of positive energy. Complex movements that involve co-ordination and balance drive even more information into your nervous system and help awaken the brain-body connection. I am asked everyday what is the best type of exercise? The answer… the best type of exercise is the exercise that you love doing. So whether it’s hill walking, swimming or having a kick about, take time to enjoy it and appreciate that it is an investment in you.
2. Talk
We have evolved to be social creatures: being the lone wolf usually doesn’t end well for Mr Wolf. We need a pack and relationships with family, friends, colleagues, next door neighbours, etc, and all of these need nurturing and time to blossom. Make sure you are tending to your relationships by talking and making time to speak to those around you.
3. Breathe
For our brain cells to work they need 2 things: Activation and Oxygen. Moving and talking help with activation. Breathing gets you the oxygen. Simply walking around the block at a brisk pace is enough to get you out of puff and drive oxygen into your body. So, why not go for a brisk walk every day? To take it a step further take 2 minutes of your day to do 'box breaths':
Controlling deep breathing like this will boost your brain and body for the rest of the day.
4. Find Purpose
My grandad was a builder, bank manager, plumber, miner, policeman… Men have historically been defined by their jobs. Unfortunately when they retired many found themselves losing their identity and the associated stress caused them to age prematurely. Job titles are less definitive these days, and in the past few years society has taken a shift away from being focused purely around work. This has led to some men (and women) to feel lost. So find a purpose in a hobby, a group, a club, a tribe with a common interest away from work. It will help bring more life to your life.
5. Gratitude
The process of thinking about something or someone to be grateful for is hugely beneficial for our mental health. Physiologically speaking the areas of our brain that produce anxiety and our stress responses are dialled down when we are grateful. So write a list and take time to think about what you are grateful for. And… Don’t forget to thank yourself in the process! Bringing gratitude in to your life on a daily basis will help you feel more connected and appreciative to the life you already lead.
If you’ve found some benefit to reading these tips then why not share the gratitude and send us a message! Happy International Men’s Day!
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19th of Movember is International Men's Day
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