Movember means grow a Mo… Men who grow a moustache in November are raising awareness on men’s mental and physical health.
In last year’s article: It's Movember- Let's Talk Men's Health, I shared self-assessment tips, how to take a self-care day, and I addressed how tight clothes and underwear can affect prostate health. I also included more information on other tight clothes and shoes, in this article:
However, what stood out to me last year was an insightful fact about men’s mental health, especially pertaining to the pressing issue of suicide. For instance, www.movember.com cites that 60 men are lost to suicide globally, every hour. Yes, every hour. That is a whopping increase in poor mental health amongst men.
How Can We Help?
Above all, let’s talk. It is so important to reach out to family, friends, a professional, or a hotline if you or someone you know feels depressed. Furthermore, it’s more important to act when suicidal thoughts are a factor.
Visit https://ca.movember.com/mens-health/suicide-prevention to learn more. Here, you will also find a number to call or text anytime! Connect to a Talk Suicide crisis responder for help without judgment. Call 1-833-456-4566 toll-free, any time – or text 45645 from 4 p.m. to midnight ET.
However, if ever you’re worried that someone's life is in immediate danger, call 911.
When suicide isn’t a factor, but quality of life needs improvement, there are many things we can add to our daily routine that make us feel better, think better, and live better.
As the famous ancient Greek scientist and physician Hippocrates says, “If you are in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk.”
Walking gets you outside where you can clear your head, get in touch with nature, breathe, and ultimately absorb Vitamin D, which has been proven to boost mood and reduce depressive feelings. Try going for a walk every day at the same time to be consistent.
You may also want to try a consistent meditation practice or being consistent with yoga or massage therapy visits. Consistency means it’s in your schedule repeatedly, which will give you something to look forward to. Having something to look forward to gives purpose in life. Give your life purpose by focusing on things that make your body feel good.
What better way to make the body feel good than with a massage?!
Massage therapy is everybody’s favorite stress reducer. Taking a moment to go somewhere peaceful and give your body to a professional massage therapist for just one hour can improve stress levels significantly. Physical touch reduces stress, calms the nervous system, improves breathing, and clears the mind.
We need to promote massage therapy during Movember because of its great influence on depression.
A Look at Fascia and Major Depressive Disorder
A study in Germany looked at Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) patients VS participants who never experienced depression. The MDD patients displayed heightened stiffness and reduced elastic recoil capacity. The group who was never depressed displayed less stiffness and more elasticity.
Stiff myofascial tissues contribute to a dysfunctional dynamic of the body-mind interaction that maintains MDD, keeping a depressive state longer if tissues don’t get to release tension. Therefore, it is determined that fascia contributes not only to biomechanical functioning but also psychological factors.
Massage During Movember
Since fascia affects both the body and the mind, then we can literally foster greater mental health by releasing tension.
One of the key aspects to focus on would be identifying chronic tension patterns, like a nagging pain that continuously returns in the neck or low-back. This can keep one trapped in outdated patterns that hinder vitality. By using touch, through massage therapy, we can soften tight fascia, releasing the tension, stopping the pattern, and making way for a new, more positive experience.
You may also want to find a massage therapist who is certified in emotional support techniques such as Reiki, Somato-Emotional Release, and Cranio-Sacral Therapy. You can find more information on those services on my homepage: www.thebodyblog.ca.
Spread the news and book a massage today for you or someone you know.
Finally, you can further support the cause by being vocal on social media. Use these hashtags to support the movement in improving men’s physical and mental health:
Sign up for the cause directly with the website: www.movember.com
(I am not directly affiliated with this website; I am simply spreading the word. Thank you).