Reduce Ineffective Habits

Written by Andi Bazaar | May 29, 2022

As "Mental Health Awareness Month" comes to a close, I encourage you to reflect and take care of you. Healthy mental habits can make a difference in your wellness because your mental health matters.

Before "Mental Health Awareness Month" comes to an end, let’s remember that men struggle with depression too. I’m going to start this article of the symptoms that are often misinterpreted.

May is "Mental Health Awareness Month" and I think it's important to highlight it because mental health is such a vital part of a person's well-being, outcomes and future. According to NAMI in 2020, 52.9 million people (1 in 5 Americans) experienced mental illness.

First responders, medical professionals, social workers, domestic violence advocates, legal aid attorneys and many others struggle with mental health due to secondary, vicarious trauma they experience after being a repeat witness to violence, death, poverty and human suffering.

For more than 15 years, I am personally familiar with the toll of vicarious trauma and strongly encourage therapy and treatment.

In light of the trauma and suffering that so many are experiencing right now, due to the horrific events that have occurred just this month. I hope that you will take your mental health seriously, seek support and take a breather to care for yourself.

1. Being Easily Irritable/Agitated.
Small things trigger annoyance, irritation, or exaggerated response. This effects interpersonal relationships (spouse, familial, friendships) in a negative way which could lead to further isolation.

2. Sleep Disturbance.
Sleeping too much, not sleeping at all, poor quality sleep (lightly sleeping) or sleeping too much, waking up feeling tired after long periods of sleep.

3. Feelings of Guilt.

4.Low Energy/Motivation.
Poor work, school or social performance. This can also manifest as poor hygiene, difficulty bathing, messy home etc.

5. Concentration/Memory.
Inability to concentrate when there was not previously a problem, short or long term memory loss or poor material retention.

6. Appetite.
Eating little to nothing or over eating.

7. Moving slowly, cognitive slowing, feeling like it's difficult to move around etc. Concepts maybe be harder to comprehend and tasks may take longer.

8. Suicidal Ideation.

9. Loss in interest for things that used to bring you joy, no longer playing video games, participating in sports, hanging out with friends/family/significant other.

Please seek help, there’s nothing wrong with therapy or even medication if you need it. If you’re not ready for that, try taking vitamin-D, fish oil or even go for a run or some type of cardio for the burst of endorphins. “Please don’t suffer in silence.”

Mental Health topic been weighing on my heart, mental health has become a trigger word in its growing awareness. Please do not abuse this term to gain attention or artificial sympathy, do your research and understand what depression, anxiety and intrusive thoughts are.

Do not use mental health as an excuse to not work hard, claiming mental health issues is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. It is not a trend!

You have the power to affect your mental health, if you are experiencing negative thoughts and strong emotions go seek professional help or at least talk to a friend.

Something I teach my friends is positive rephrasing, flip the negative thought into a positive one by taking out the word “no.” This is a skill and takes practice to master but it is amazing what it does to your perspective, internal voice and as a result your resiliency.

"What you've been told about vulnerability is wrong and it's costing billions in damages every year."

Since childhood, most men are taught vulnerability equals weakness.

• “Man up"
• "Don’t cry"
• "Be a man"
• "Suck it up"
• "Stop being a pussy"

Are norms but here's the reality.

If you get rid of the beliefs that place pressure on men to behave within specific masculine norms:

• Sexual violence could be reduced by 69%
• Traffic accidents could drop by 41%
• Bullying and violence could be down 40%
• Suicides could be decreased by 39%
• Binge drinking could be lowered by 7%
• Depressive symptoms among men could be eliminated by 4%

"Masculinity is not a bad thing, but the way you've been taught to treat men when they are being vulnerable is."

It's a proven fact that "men who are compassionate, vulnerable and balanced emotionally have higher senses of self-confidence than those men who are unforgiving of their faults.'"

It's a proven fact that "fathers who are more willing to push back on traditional masculine norms are also more likely to achieve the fatherhood ideal" (developing a nurturing, caring relationship with their child)

Again, this is not to say all masculine norms are harmful, men who actively work towards personal success (i.e. winning) are more likely to feel more accomplished — increasing their self-esteem and boosting their mental well-being.

“But in order for men to feel comfortable with being vulnerable, the narrative around men needing to act a certain way needs to change.”

Let's work together to make that happen, if you're going through something right now my DMs are open. Let's talk and work together to get you the help you need.

I hope this article reaches someone who needs to see it, if you're experiencing any of these symptoms of depression, seek help. If your debating on it, do it what do you have to lose?