Real men don’t cry. Or Do They?

Introduction:

During my childhood and adolescence, my father instilled in me the belief that true men never cry, as it is a sign of weakness, through actions such as smashing chairs, belting me, and punching me.

However, I was being told about manhood from an alpha male; at least my father was one of them, yet on the first day of the war, he grabbed my mom and left me in that war. I was 18 years old. He shares traits with many other Alpha Males.

As we approach the end of November, we celebrate Movember, a month dedicated to promoting men’s health. It goes without saying that health is the most valuable asset in life.

Without health, we will never be able to fulfill all of our dreams, aspirations, and desires, and we most likely won’t be able to consume them as we desire.

The effort to celebrate November as Men’s Health Month was dubbed Movember—a combination of the terms “moustache” and “November”—since” the moustache is designated as the movement’s symbol.

The overall purpose of the global campaign is to urge the male population to undergo frequent check-ups so that diseases can be recognized and treated in a timely manner, as prevention is the key to good health.

The emphasis is on physical issues such as prostate and testicular cancer, as well as sometimes overlooked issues including mental health and suicide.

My son, who tracks (celebrates) this month annually in his own unique way and understands the value of looking after his health as a medical student, also inspired me to consider health and the years of men.

Real men don’t cry

Real men don’t cry” is a statement I’ve heard a lot. Yes, exactly.

However, the reality is quite different, and men tend to cry more than women do.

It’s a misconception that real men don’t weep.

The “got” of this line is that it makes men think that denying emotions is the only way to handle them.

Additionally, there are other emotions such as joy, laughter, disappointment, fear, grief, and suffering.

Tears reflect the entire spectrum of those feelings.

Men and Aging

I am aware that this is a taboo subject and that maybe males don’t discuss it loudly and publicly enough, but we all experience different stages of life.

Some famous people, actors, and influencers, in my opinion, give the impression that they never age. If they do age, they do so gracefully.

Of course, anything is possible with today’s cosmetic surgery, but.

To feel content as you age, however, you don’t need to be a movie star or a celebrity with a fine car, an expensive yacht, or a youthful lover.

Our awareness of the risks that inevitably rise with age is something we frequently overlook, even though it is crucial.

Additionally, we must be ready to embrace healthy, preventative behaviours.

What causes ageing and how does it occur?

Genetics, living circumstances, education, employment, family, and psychology are the primary factors.

I can speak from personal experience when I claim that we age better if:

• Regular exercise.
• Healthy
• We don’t smoke.
• We refrain from drinking too much alcohol.
• We have a network of support.
• We know our purpose, key objectives in life and

I must admit that I haven’t adhered to all the principles for years. However, life still forces you to make certain choices and come to some realizations.

I’ve concluded from talking to my friends that males face the same difficulties as women do as they age.

We simply don’t discuss it as much and publicly.

The Reasons Behind Men’s Mental Health Issues

As I previously mentioned, people would view males as weak if they sought mental and physical care, especially in the field of mental health.

People have told us for years that asking for help is a sign of weakness.

You know, you’re a man, so suffer and keep quiet. Keep everything inside.

Chronic stress, undetected anxiety, and depression were and still are the results of it.

After years of life and experience, I have concluded—and I’m sure you have too—that we must first recognize the significance of our mental health.

Embrace your emotions

If, like me, you grew up believing that only girls can express their emotions and that boys don’t cry, keep in mind that you are a real, breathing human being with feelings of your own.

To be honest, we often spend our days—and possibly even our years—automatically. We are not, however, robots.

Burnout and misery are the results of such a life.

Identify these feelings, acknowledge them to ourselves, and then confront them. There is no shame in anything, I assure you. Even men cry.

Identify the signs and symptoms

Maintaining our mental health is crucial. In addition to looking after ourselves, we also serve as role models for our family, friends, and especially our children.

The following are some indicators that may point to issues:

• Difficulty focusing,
• Sensations of unease,
• The quality and patterns of sleep can change.
• Energy changes,
• A change in appetite,
• Significant mood changes…

Men are known to exhibit increased aggression, impatience, and dominating behavior when they are sad or nervous.
These traits can have a significant impact on both the man and his surroundings.

Work out

When you’re feeling down, it’s difficult to consider working out. However, this is the best thing you can do for yourself.

I can tell you this because I have firsthand experience. Even on days when I don’t feel like it, I force myself to go to the gym because it reduces stress, releases endorphins, and alleviates pain.

Believe me, it’s an incredible feeling to build yourself up and sweat it out in the gym.

Since you’ve finally taken care of yourself, your mood instantly improves.

Sweating, getting your heart and muscles moving, and having a beneficial physical outlet for stress and anxiety are all very important.

Maintain your physical well-being.

Numerous physical health problems can swiftly develop from suppressed mental health conditions.

Men who ignore their mental health problems frequently resort to poor eating habits and insufficient exercise, which eventually results in weight gain.

Additionally, long-term stress can have detrimental consequences on the immune system.

Conversely, maintaining your physical well-being through regular exercise and a balanced diet will help you maintain mental clarity.

Most significantly, one of the most important things you can do to be healthy is to see a doctor.

System of support

A network of support is crucial. You have a very tiny group of people you trust, and I’m specifically referring to men. However, since “No man is an island,” we all require emotional support from someone.

I think you have a friend or family member you can confide in, though it’s hard.

Be the first to admit you need a conversation and have weaknesses.

Seek professional help

We also require a professional therapist who will, first and foremost, establish a secure space for us to speak honestly while receiving all necessary professional assistance.

Your couch isn’t where you cry like in movies.

Okay, I’m getting a bit caricatured here, but this is very significant.

Write about it.

I can speak from personal experience when I say that I kept a journal when traveling alone throughout Europe in the middle of the year.

Believe me, that journal served as a tool for me to record my thoughts, sometimes in the form of a conversation with a friend, while also documenting the sites I visited and maintaining a daily vlog.

Journaling is a private act that you perform for yourself alone, free from criticism or evaluation. It’s something you own alone.

Writing down your ideas can be really freeing at times.

Who knows?

Perhaps we will turn our ideas into a book that will help someone else, or at least let them know they are not alone in this.

Furthermore, it’s not just November (Movember) when we should prioritize our physical and emotional well-being. Our health is our top priority, although we occasionally take it for granted.

We need to look after young males as well as men of a certain age throughout the year.

Control your high blood pressure and cholesterol, schedule routine examinations, and keep an eye on your testosterone levels.

Maintain a sharp mind by engaging in mental exercises, socializing, listening to music, spending time with friends and in nature, and getting psychological help if depression is an issue.

Make sure you get adequate sleep, exercise frequently, eat a healthier diet, quit smoking, and limit your alcohol intake.

As a friend once said, “When I’m well, everyone around me is well.” We all need to start with ourselves.

This post was written by Mario Bekes