Okay, ladies and gentlemen, we've all heard women rave about self-care, and you may have even heard a song or two about it. But what does "self-care" really mean, and why doesn't anyone seem to talk about how men can participate?

Self-care is defined as “taking an active role in preserving or improving one's own health.” While this isn't clearly a gendered definition, this idea has certainly taken off more frequently among women than men, in part because men's health focuses on physical health parameters, such as strength and weight. While self-care can include physical actions, it will also help your mental health, which is where self-care truly has the greatest impact. Below are some of the best ways to take care of yourself both physically and mentally.

1. Move!

We've all heard it ad nauseam: exercising every day is essential for lifelong vitality. However, despite the fitness revolution we've experienced in recent years, working out doesn't have to mean spending hours at the gym each day. Experts say all you need is about 30 minutes of exercise a day. It can be a walk around your neighborhood, a light jog, gardening—whatever you like. The main thing is that you get moving. Exercise isn't just important for maintaining a healthy weight. It also helps strengthen your cardiovascular system, lowers blood pressure, and strengthens your heart—three of the main things that keep you healthy. While you don't need to work out at a gym, you certainly can. If that's not your thing, check out some ideas on how to exercise at home (no equipment required).

Always include stretching in your daily routine, even if you decide not to exercise. Whether you have lower back or knee pain, stiff hips, or other joint pain, finding a stretching routine is the quickest, cheapest, and easiest way to help yourself. This practice can easily be done during commercial breaks while you're watching the game or the latest season of your favorite show. It should only take about 15 minutes.

2. Drink water

Water makes up the majority of our body and blood, so staying hydrated is critical to feeling and performing your best. When you're hydrated, your blood is better oxygenated, giving you more energy. Drinking water also helps you metabolize food more efficiently, which ultimately keeps your digestive system regular. It can even help you lose weight! The recommended daily intake of water is approximately 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) per day for men, which is equivalent to about twelve 8-ounce glasses of water.

3. Be proud of your male waxing

Grooming is different for everyone. If you're new to men's grooming or just need a refresher, here are a few helpful tips:

Invest in quality trimmers

If your hair grows very coarse or you tend to let it grow for a while before shaving, having a quality trimmer is essential for achieving a close shave. When your hair is too long, it can be difficult to shave with a traditional razor, as the razor only cuts hair that's close to the skin. Trimmers are also a great way to maintain the length of your beard without having to go "babyface" after each grooming session. Spending a little extra money on your trimmer will save you in the long run, as more expensive trimmers can get closer to the skin, have longer-lasting batteries, are more durable, and often come with multiple cutting attachments so you can customize the length of your cut.

Invest in a proven shaving cream

When you apply a foaming shaving cream before shaving, it can be difficult to see exactly where you're shaving, increasing the likelihood of nicks. Try a shaving cream that starts working the moment you apply it to your skin. Conditioning shaving cream softens hair for maximum glide and protects you from nicks and cuts. Simply apply it and let it absorb before shaving and rinsing. You'll get a smoother, closer shave.

Keep your beard soft (for yourself and others)

This is an important point, as it has several benefits for men with beards. There are three main products you should use on your beard every day: beard wash, beard conditioner, and beard oil. Beard wash cleans your beard, just like shampoo does for your hair. Especially if you have dry skin underneath your beard, this can help reduce itching. Beard conditioner will make your beard soft to the touch by moisturizing the follicles, much like conditioner does for your hair. Beard oil also helps moisturize and keep your beard soft, but with a great scent! Many beard oils smell great, keeping you smelling fresh all day long.

While keeping your beard soft can have positive interpersonal effects, such as not scratching your partner when you kiss, it also has benefits for you. Having a soft, supple beard will allow you to shave more smoothly and evenly, as the hairs aren't harsh or coarse.

4. Develop a skincare routine

This is probably the hardest habit to adopt if you don't already have a skincare routine. It doesn't have to be complicated. The two most important things to remember are that your skin needs to be clean and moisturized. Actually , it only takes two steps.

Step 1: Cleanse your skin

To cleanse your skin, choose the facial cleanser that works best for you. Some products may not be suitable for you if you have very dry or sensitive skin. Take some time to experiment and find the one that works best for your skin.

Step 2: Hydrate your skin

Since many facial cleansers include some type of alcoholic ingredient, it's important to moisturize your skin after cleansing. This will help your skin look plump, stay firm, fight wrinkles, and can help combat acne. You can try different moisturizers to find the right one for you.

5. Diary every day

One of the best habits you can develop is journaling every day. It's an easy task to check off your list because it only takes 5 to 10 minutes (you can take longer if you like). Journaling should take whatever form is most effective for you. It will help you articulate difficult-to-say things, write better, and develop a daily routine. If this is your first time journaling, here are some helpful ideas:

Don't stop writing until the time is up.

This is a great technique for learning how to be a more efficient and effective writer. Often, people approach the page with a lot of trepidation because they “don't know what to write” or are afraid they'll do it wrong. This practice removes all restrictions and focuses on letting the words flow directly from your brain to the page. Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes and keep writing. It doesn't matter what you write. You can write “I don't know what to write” for three minutes straight until an idea comes to you. Or you can immediately start writing the best autobiography ever—it's entirely up to you.

Write what you are thankful for

Demonstrating gratitude can be difficult when our lives are consumed by the daily grind of work, family life, or children. Setting aside time to reaffirm gratitude each day helps provide much-needed perspective. Take some time to think deeply about the people and things that positively impact your life. Write them down so you're equipped with fully articulated ways to express your gratitude.

Set your intentions

This practice is best before starting the day. Whether you have a daily schedule or not, setting your intentions for the day is a great way to set yourself up for a productive day, as you'll have tangible and achievable goals to accomplish. Our small daily accomplishments often go unnoticed because we're constantly waiting for the next item on our to-do list. However, setting measurable and achievable goals each day gives you a tangible sense of the small victories you achieve each day. These intentions can even be personal goals like "express love to my partner" or "do something for myself today."

6. Try meditation

Meditation is a surprisingly effective way to connect with reality or learn about yourself, take stock of your life situation, or simply clear your mind for a while. There are many different meditation practices, each with its own methods and goals, but the general idea is to establish inner stillness, peace, and connection with the things around us. You only need to meditate for 5 to 10 minutes a day.

This is also a great place to add a daily affirmation. You know that saying, “If you smile enough, your brain thinks you're happy, and that makes you feel better”? The same goes for words. Affirmations are a way to transmit positive energy to the universe about you. Saying the things you want to feel about yourself exist can change your mindset. If you're feeling insecure, try affirmations like, “I am confident. I am capable. I am motivated.”

7. Create a sleep routine

Sleep is the most overlooked, yet most important, mental self-care practice. In our fast-paced, work-centric culture, sleep isn't highly valued. You've probably heard sayings like, “I work while you sleep” or “The early bird catches the worm.” Yet, sleep is critical to our mental health. Getting a good night's sleep helps us sort through and retain all the information we've been exposed to each day (think about how much information you absorb from your smartphone alone!). It also helps balance our neurochemicals, recharge our bodies, and can help us resolve issues we've put on the back burner (thanks, subconscious). Getting a good night's sleep starts with creating a routine and sticking to it. Here are some tips:

Have a bedtime and don't use your bed for anything other than sleeping.

The first suggestion is probably more feasible than the second, but they go hand in hand. Having a set bedtime lets you know what time to start your routine each day. It will also get your body on a fixed schedule, so it will know when to start producing sleep-inducing hormones, like melatonin. This will help stabilize your circadian rhythm, which works best when it's in sync with the sun. Rising and setting with the sun is ideal, but having a set routine is most important. As for using your bed solely for sleep, this is another way to signal to your body that it's time for bed. If your body and mind's only relationship with your bed is associated with sleep, going to bed signals to your body that it's time to sleep.

Invest in glasses with amber or blue light filter

Blocking blue light not only protects your eyes from screen damage, but the blue light from screens blocks melatonin production, meaning that time spent watching TikTok right before bed keeps you awake. Amber-tinted glasses or blue light glasses filter out blue light, so you can still watch TV or catch up on the latest TikTok trends before bed without halting your melatonin production. Ideally, you'd want to be screen-free for about an hour before bed, but we understand that watching TV before bed is a standard way to decompress. This is a great way to keep your sleep routine on track without losing your relaxation habits.

8. Masturbate

We know it probably goes without saying that masturbating is an important part of sexual health, but we'll say it anyway: masturbating regularly is good for your health!

Masturbating can help you understand your body and what feels good to you. This will help you communicate more effectively with your partner in the bedroom. Masturbating is also a great way to feel comfortable with sexual acts without performance anxiety. Having orgasms regularly can help your mental health by relieving stress. When you masturbate, and especially when you orgasm, your brain releases mood-enhancing chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which make you feel good and can help relieve tension. Having orgasms regularly can also help prevent prostate problems.

If you're looking to take your masturbation to the next level, try our lubricants and combine them with an enhancer or toy for even more pleasure.

There are many ways to take care of yourself, but this is a good list to start with. If this is your first time taking care of yourself, try some of these ideas and see what works for you.