In the age of 2020, self-care is not just for women. On the contrary – men can and should be investing in their self-care. Growing up I saw my dad always take time to dress carefully and test out various grooming products that he sells in his men’s clothing store, George Bass. I have always loved buying my husband grooming products as stocking stuffers in recent years. These products make the mornings a little bit more fun for your man when it comes to getting ready for work! Taking care of your mind and body feels good, is fun, and is vital for your wellbeing as you navigate the craziness of today’s world. The COVID-19 pandemic forced us all to slow down, take stock, and appreciate what is important in life – and that is taking care of ourselves in every way possible.
Men have, in the past, been ridiculed for having meticulous self-care routines. Men who get manicures, facials, expensive haircuts or have a skincare routine have been mocked by other men, and sometimes women too, for being ‘too feminine’. This nasty stereotype gets us absolutely nowhere. I’m sure if you ask many women they probably feel like their partner doesn’t do enough for themselves, to take care of their bodies and mental health. Encouraging your partner to do some self-care is a great idea, but can sometimes lead to pushback.
This is where you can come in ladies! If you love your man and want what is best for him, it is important to let him take care of himself independently. Women can sometimes fall into the category of ‘carer’ by taking on the jobs that their partner doesn’t want to do – such as buying shampoos and conditioners, cleaning, and cooking. Here are a few ways to encourage your man to indulge in self-care, and improve his own life as well as your relationship!
Helpful Gifts
One way to gently nudge your man towards the self-care routine he deserves is to buy him helpful little gifts. Christmas is just around the corner, although it seems far away, and this is the perfect time to do this. Instead of saying, ‘You should be taking care of your beard! It looks rough and messy!’ You could instead give him some of the hot beard care products for 2020, to encourage him to try out a beard care routine. This would encourage him to get into this routine on his own, without you dragging him into it. Chris has a nice brush and razor set for his daily shave. The brush helps lather the shaving cream to decrease any razor burn. I have always found The Art of Shaving products great for guys and they make great gift sets as well.
Make Him Feel Secure
A surprising number of men don’t indulge in skincare, proper hair care, or general wellness routines. Why? For a number of men, this comes down to feeling like these things are for women and therefore not appropriate for them to engage in. Here come the old stereotypes, haunting us once again!
As his partner, your opinion matters the most, so make it clear that you love it when he takes care of himself. It isn’t all about appearances, although it helps, but is also about your man being independent and not relying on you. You aren’t his mom, you are his lady – so don’t baby him! If he feels secure in going for it with self-care, he is far more likely to try it out.
2020 is all about outgrowing the boxes society puts us in. Ladies, lead the way; fellas, welcome to self-care heaven!
