Men’s Health - Kuda Speaks on Stress Relief
Kuda: “Mentally stronger with some vulnerability”
Movember - Men’s Health Awareness Month
This month I’m so happy to have some great men in my circle contributing to Men’s Health Awareness Month. Movember (November) is a month where the growing of moustaches is encouraged to raise awareness of significant men’s health issues such as suicide, testicular and prostate cancer.
Introducing our Man of the Week - Kuda Jinya
For the first week of Movember, I’ve been focusing on suicide and mental health on the Fitness To A Tee pages. Each week, I will be featuring a different man and this week 33 year old Kuda Jinya in Harare, Zimbabwe is our Man of the Week. Kuda is a freelance digital copywriter, occasional model/commercial actor, fitness fanatic and explorer of life. I have such a deep respect for Kuda. I love his approach to life; fitness; writing; his openness and I admire the way the camera loves him. He is one of those subjects that is a natural at opening up from within and telling many stories in front of the lens without saying a word. Check out his Instagram page and you’ll know what I’m talking about! Click here kani.
Men’s suicide rate + mental health
Lifeline Australia states that suicide is a the leading cause of death for those aged 15-44, with 75% of those being male. Globally, the World Health Organisation states that men commit suicide at a rate twice than that of females. One of the reasons why is because of the wrongly ingrained message that men have been given over generations that they should “man up” and that being open about their feelings shows some sort of “weakness”.
Kuda speaks: how to cope with stress
Men, here are some ways to cope with stress.
- Acknowledging the difficulty and the experience of stress is something that doesn't diminish us. It’s difficult but must be dealt with rather than swept under the rug.
- Take time to process what is giving you stress.
- Prayer and meditation.
- Make sure you give yourself the context of whether it will matter in 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 months or 5 years - then come back to the present.
- Breathe. 3 deep breaths in and 3 deep breaths followed by a smile ( no matter how silly it feels). This often helps me reset and reach for positivity and peace.
- Stay self aware and pay attention to your self-talk, don't allow negative self-talk to own the room of your mind.
- Go for a walk, take a moment.
- Exercise to clear your head and enjoy the endorphins as well as the sense of accomplishment.
- Maintain a healthy diet and don't rely on alcohol to cope.
- Get a second perspective from someone you trust and who has your well being at heart, communicate all you feel.
- Be patient with yourself.
It's okay to not always be superman. It's alright to not always be strong. It is forgivable to not know everything or have all the answers. It is time we acknowledge that even as men we are also human, have feelings, vulnerabilities, fears, struggles and all.
Participate in your life consciously, be aware of yourself and how you feel, be mindful of what you take in and what negatively impacts your mental health.
Be intentional with your choices.
Have your back and know when it's carrying too much.
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Kuda Jinya. Find him on Instagram here.
Watch this popular video where Kuda talks about how to look after your mental health.