In honour of Men’s Mental Health Month this November.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist Eamon shares his insights into common men’s health issues he treats, tips to staying centered and how to find your purpose.
Can you tell us about some common men’s health issues you treat?
Stress and anxiety are two of the most common health complaints I see daily in the clinic. Although it’s recorded that women statistically experience and seek out care for stress and anxiety more, almost all men that I know and work with experience stress and/or anxiety on a daily basis.
Most men will say they’re not the stressed or anxious type, but if we look into common symptoms they’re experiencing, stress begins to show-up in less obvious ways such as; poor focus or mental acuity, irritability, anger or frustration, poor energy, recurring injuries & pain, an inability to shift weight, restless sleep – the list goes on.
The number one reality of stress is that it will compound as time goes on. This is where TCM & acupuncture can really help; our goal in each session is to pick specific points to act as a release valve that decompresses and calms the body and returns the baseline to normal. It is at this balance point that everything in life falls into flow.
What do you do to stay centered and calm?
I talk to myself in the mirror. Whenever I catch myself in a negative space, I walk into the bathroom, look into the mirror and show myself gratitude for getting me this far.
I also find running away from my problems is flawed in the short and long term, so I try my hardest to sit with what is bothering me and let it wash over me and out of me, visualisation exercises help with this. Also, finding more people in your life that either exude calmness or make you feel that way is pivotal to your mental health.
What are some tools men can start to utilise to feel more calm in the every day?
Firstly, breathwork is amazing as it helps put the brakes on an acute stress response by eliciting the body’s relaxation response. You can look up Wim Hof to get you started.
Secondly, keep a journal by your bedside and write out three things you’re grateful for each day. It can be the smallest things that remind you how lucky you are.
I also love to send a short voice message to one of my friends or family members letting them know how I feel about them or something I love about them – this is incredibly powerful.
I believe we need to learn to practice a level of honesty and self-awareness which is not rooted in criticism. If something is lacking in our life, it won’t go away.
The older you get the more you realise that life has a way of providing opportunities to learn the same lessons again and again unless we break the chain. You are not your thoughts and you are not your situation. You are you, observing your situation or thoughts.
What role does TCM and Acupuncture play in helping men to connect more deeply with their body and minds?
Every acupuncture point is one part of a chain that connects the whole body. In biomedical terms it is a point along a myofascial line that permeates through every cell, vessel, muscle and tissue throughout the body. Whenever there is an issue in the body there is an inability for the body to function effectively and efficiently. As such we insert a needle to address this tension or blockage to restore homeostasis or balance.
When our bodies are in balance it is very similar to the concept of being in flow state; a state where we feel activities or work is happening seamlessly and without resistance. Therefore the more time we spend in this state the more we are able to operate from a place of clarity and connection, facilitating a deeper connection to our body and mind.
What advice would you give to someone unsure of their purpose?
I think it’s rare to be handed your sense of purpose in life. To find your purpose you need to know who you are intimately; the idea of purpose really starts with developing a strong relationship with yourself.
Don’t start by identifying with what you like but instead start with the essence of who you are. Consider how you talk to yourself when no one is listening; is it mostly negative thoughts? Is it mostly based on what other people want you to be? If so, it’s very difficult to hone in on what you believe your purpose should be if you’re riddled with criticism or self-doubt.
To begin to overcome this start with closing your eyes and observing what comes up, but also being conscious of not getting lost down the rabbit hole. From here you will begin to be in a truely constructive place to start laying the foundation for you sense of purpose and career goals.
Is there a final piece of advice you would like to share?
The 4:8 breath technique has been a revelation for me. I apply it in every situation; before seeing clients, whenever I’m feeling stressed or even shutting down before bed.
The technique is inhaling slowly through the nose for a count of 4 and then out the mouth for a count of 8. If you want to boost the effect you can increase the time but always making sure the exhale is double the inhale.
If you are experiencing issues that acupuncture could help you with, you can enjoy 15% off Initial Acupuncture Consults with Eamon.
Use the code: EAMON15 when booking your appointment here.
*Code must be used in order to redeem discount. Code does not expire. Valid once per person.