“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”
— Bob Marley
Being a male and spending most of my adult life studying and working in a female-dominated field, talking about my feelings has always been welcomed and encouraged.
But a lot of men don’t feel the same way.
From a young age, boys are often taught to be strong, not cry, and hide their vulnerable side.
These societal expectations can have lasting effects on men’s mental well-being, creating a barrier to seeking help and support when needed.
So, it was refreshing the other day to speak with one of my best friends, Derrick Shirley, a psychologist working in Calgary, Alberta, about feelings, relationships, and men’s mental health.
You can find the entire interview here.
Strategies for Better Emotional Well-Being
Emotional well-being is a crucial aspect of overall health. In our interview, Derrick and I discussed various strategies that can help improve men’s and women’s emotional well-being, especially in relationships.
Here is a summary of what stood out from the interview.
1. Increasing Emotional Literacy and Vocabulary:
One of the foundations of emotional well-being is the ability to recognize and understand our own emotions.
By expanding our emotional vocabulary, we can better articulate how we feel, which can lead to a deeper level of self-awareness. When we can accurately label our emotions, it becomes easier to address them in our relationships and take appropriate actions to manage them effectively.
2. Listening to the Body’s Cues for Emotional Understanding:
Our bodies often provide valuable clues about our emotional state.
Physical sensations like a racing heart, tension in the shoulders, or a knot in the stomach can indicate underlying emotions such as anxiety, stress, or excitement.
By tuning in to these bodily cues, we can gain insights into our emotional well-being and respond in a way that promotes balance and harmony.
3. Practicing Mindfulness and Staying Present in Challenging Situations:
Mindfulness is a powerful tool for enhancing emotional well-being.
By staying present in the moment and observing our thoughts and feelings without judgment, we can cultivate a sense of inner calm and resilience, even in the face of challenging situations.
Most men often have a strong urge to “fix” or “give advice” whenever their partner approaches them with an event from their day or a problem they’re dealing with. But sometimes, we need someone to hear us out without immediately jumping to conclusions.
Staying present and mindful is one way to do this.
Healthy Individuals Produce Healthy Relationships
Incorporating these strategies into our daily lives can nurture a more positive and resilient emotional landscape, fostering greater well-being and contentment from within.
Men need to understand that seeking professional help when needed is not a sign of weakness but a proactive step towards better mental health. Therapists and counsellors can provide valuable support and guidance.
Fostering healthy relationships is not just about the time we spend with others but the quality of those interactions.
By prioritizing active listening, empathy, and stress management techniques like breathing exercises, we can cultivate healthier, more supportive relationships that positively impact our mental health.
We are all looking for ways to improve our relationships and mental health — in ourselves and the people we love.
Richard