Men’s Health Awareness Month

November is a month where we focus on Men’s Health Awareness, most commonly recognised by International Men’s Day UK on Sunday 19th November, and the much supported ‘Movember’ each year, which involves many folk growing moustaches during this month to raise awareness and money, to support many men’s health issues.

Men suffer issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health problems and male suicide. Men are less likely than women to reach out for help, so it is extremely important that we make it more acceptable and comfortable for them to do so, as latest figures show that men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women.

I thought it might be useful this month, to therefore give some contact details here relating to support for men who may need to ask for help. It is vital that we encourage the men that we care about in our lives, to reach out if they feel down, or if you see changes in their behaviours or moods that concern you. I have only looked these groups up online to supply a few ideas to get you/them started. Do please make sure you read their content first, to make sure they offer what matches up to your needs. There is also some brilliant information on their websites, so even if you don’t want to arrange a meet up, or talk to anyone, you may be able to get some really beneficial help just by reading their online content.

Some Male Support Groups and Charities:

AndysManClub

Andysmanclub are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend, peer-to-peer support groups across the UK and online. They want to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. They also have a lot of media pages you can connect with on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin and Youtube.

Email: info@andysmanclub.co.uk

Website: www.andysmanclub.co.uk

Directions for Men

This organisation provides groups for men to come and talk about whatever it is that is affecting their mental health. They also focus on getting you involved in activities and events so you can meet others, using peer support – people with similar backgrounds and experiences to look out for each other.

Tel: 07894 971434

Website: www.directionsformen.org.uk

Menshare Listening Group

Menshare Listening Group is a voluntary support service for men aged 18+ based in Crawley, for those who may be going through a tough and challenging time in their lives. They have groups based in Crawley, East Grinstead and Horley.

Tel: 07508 336995

Email: letsTalk@mslg.org

Website: www.mensharelisteninggroup.co.uk

MenUnite

Men Unite are there to support and encourage, and there to talk to if you have had a struggle in life with addiction issues, drink, drugs, gambling, or if you have suffered a loss, feel alone or are depressed and need help. They also have a Facebook group with over 12,000 members you can join for extra support, as well as Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.

Website: www.menunite.org

The Lucy Rayner Foundation

This organisation offers men’s support groups in Surrey. They are at the forefront of encouraging greater openness about the mental health issues that men face. From depression and addiction, to financial pressures and loneliness, they can help by offering mental health discussion groups where people from all walks of life can talk, listen and provide mutual support to one another.

Tel: 01737 910907

Email: info@thelucyraynerfoundation.com

Website: www.thelucyraynerfoundation.com

For younger boys, teens and young adults, there is also:

Young Minds

This organisation is set up to help young people, and those who love and care for them, to get the help and support they need when they are struggling with their mental health. They provide tools to help them look after themselves, and their website is packed full of information and advice on what to do if life is proving a real challenge for them. They give young people the space and confidence to be heard so they don’t feel alone. They are also on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube.

Website: www.youngminds.org.uk

Essential Oils Popular with Male Clients

I thought this month I would also highlight some Essential Oils that are the most popular with my male clients, along with their properties and benefits. You can make these oils up into massage blends yourself, using (for healthy adults) a maximum of 12 drops of Essential Oil per 30ml of Base/Carrier Oil (I use Sweet Almond Oil). You should choose up to a maximum of 3-4 different oils in your blend. You can then use this blend for a full body massage, or just apply it to specific muscle groups or joints of the body as required, or add to a little milk and throw into a warm bath. Many of my male clients (as with my female clients) come for sports or work-related issues, but many also come just for the relaxation and mental support that a caring treatment provides.

Please Note: at the end of each of the Essential Oil descriptions, I have listed any Safety Data to be aware of. If you are blending for a child or anyone with hypersensitivies/hyperallergies, or certain medical conditions, you should reduce the dose, and always contact myself or another qualified Aromatherapist for more advice, prior to application. Some of these oils are very strong, so please do read the cautions.

Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum)

This oil is a great rubefacient (brings warmth), and works hard on our Musculo-Skeletal Systems. It is fantastic for osteoarthritis, rheumatism, sciatica, and general muscular aches, pains and fatigue. It is analgesic, strengthening and wonderful for releasing sore and tired muscles. It is wonderful added to a warm bath, or in a massage or sports blend with other oils added. Please Note: It is very stimulating, so not recommended for bedtime, and should be used in low-medium doses. It can be a skin irritant in high doses for those with hypersensitivity, and this oil is too strong for use on babies or young children.

Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum Nobile)

This oil is great for our Digestive System too, as it is good for indigestion, flatulence, nausea and IBS. It is also a soothing, calming, classic stress remedy, and is great for dealing with headaches, migraines, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, depression, agitation and emotional stress. It is also safe for everyone, including babies, as it is one of the safest oils used in Aromatherapy.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus)

Eucalyptus Essential Oil is another rubefacient oil that is great for our muscular system, being antirheumatic, antineuralgic and analgesic. It is great for pre-sports treatment and for muscular stiffness, cramps and arthritis. It is also wonderful for our respiratory system, which makes it extra useful in the cold winter months with coughs, colds, chills, fever and chest infections etc. Please Note: This oil may antidote homeopathic remedies, and if ingested by a baby or child can be very dangerous.

Frankincense (Boswellia Carteri)

This oil is my absolute favourite! It is one of the safest oils we have, and one of the best for dealing with all stress-related conditions. It is rejuvenating, healing, wonderful for emotional support, and is calming and centering. It is also lovely for elderly people (probably why I like it so much!) and is useful when dealing with bereavement and trauma.

Ginger (Zingiber Officinalis)

This oil is a very warming, energising, rubefacient oil. It is just wonderful for our muscles, helping with all aches, pains and fatigue, as well as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, joint stiffness and muscle tension. It is analgesic and anti-inflammatory, and it is very stimulating. Fabulous used in a warm bath after a busy day, but perhaps not just before bed. Please Note: It also should not be used on babies or children as it is much too stimulating, neither should it be used on individuals with hypersensitivity or unmedicated high blood pressure.

Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisii)

Grapefruit Essential Oil is wonderful for our Digestive System, as it is a fabulous tonic for the liver and gallbladder, and helps with abdominal bloating, constipation, indigestion and obesity. It is cleansing, uplifting and revitalising, and has a cooling, refreshing effect on the body. It is decongesting, as well as helping to clear the mind. It is an astringent aerial antiseptic, is bactericidal, diuretic and a lymphatic tonic. Please Note: Generally safe for everyone, but as with most Citrus oils, it is not recommended to have strong sun exposure following application.

Juniper Berry (Juniperus Communis)

This Essential oil is yet another that is fabulous for the muscles too, being great for general muscle stiffness, cramps, post-sports treatments, gout, lower backache and rheumatism and arthritis. It is detoxifying too, and is both rubefacient and antirheumatic. Please Note: It should not be used for people with kidney problems, and again may be too strong for those with hypersensitivity, and too strong for use on babies and children. It should not be confused with the herb ‘Juniperus Savin’ which should not be used in Aromatherapy, and definitely not to be used in pregnancy (so no using it on any partners who are expecting).

Lemon (Citrus Limonum)

Lemon oil is cleansing, toning and uplifting, and is an airborne antiseptic. It is bactericidal, antiviral, decongesting, and is an immunostimulant, as well as being fungicidal and a great Lymphatic and Digestive tonic. It can uplift the mind, and is safe for just about everyone. The only safety data with this oil is that is can be slightly phototoxic, so please avoid strong sun exposure after application (not likely to be too much of a problem in winter!).

Marjoram, Sweet or French (Origanum Marjorana)

Sweet Marjoram is another great choice for keeping us warm and supporting our muscles. It is a warming, sedative choice, working hard on cramps, muscular aches and pains, arthritis, joint pains and stiffness, sciatica and neuralgia. It is also very comforting and calming. I use this oil a lot, where muscles need supporting and where we need warmth, but maybe where Ginger, Black Pepper or Juniper Berry may be too stimulating or just not suitable for the client. Sweet Marjoram is an analgesic, sedative, and rubefacient oil, and is safe for just about everyone. Please Note: Slight caution with hypersensitive individuals, and it should not be used during pregnancy or menstruation (again a note for any partners).

Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis)

Sweet Orange Essential Oil is one of my absolute favourites too. It is a wonderful nerve tonic, so fabulous at dealing with stress and anxiety (being relaxing and calming), whilst also being an uplifting, refreshing Essential Oil. It is great for those who are exhausted and full of worry, as well as for those feeling stressed, irritated or frustrated with life. Non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising, so again safe for just about everyone.

Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin)

This Essential Oil has a rich and warm aroma which centres and grounds us, reducing mental hyperactivity, and allowing our minds to let go a little. It is highly restorative and reduces tension and anxiety. It brings stability and strength in times of trouble and stressful situations, and is great for insomnia and restlessness. The aroma also lasts a long time, as does it’s benefits. A wonderfully restorative Essential Oil. Again, this oil is non-irritant, non-toxic and non-sensitising, so a very safe choice.

Sandalwood (Santalum Album)

This Essential Oil is another one of my absolute favourites. It is a deeply healing, stabilising and grounding oil. It is wonderful for all skin types and is very centering and balancing. It helps with stress-related tension and anxiety. It is a supreme regulator, harmonising our thoughts and our intuition. It helps us to stop over-thinking everything, and to ground us in the moment, to help bring us peace. Being another one of our ‘Base’ note oils, the fragrance comes through more strongly as time goes on, so the aroma lingers for longer than other Essential Oils. Another very safe oil, being non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia)

Tea Tree is a fabulous Essential Oil, being a great skin cleanser, as it is a powerful antimicrobial. It is also antifungal, anti-inflammatory and a brilliant general tonic. It is useful for acne and other skin conditions too, as well as insect bites and stings, athletes foot and verrucas. It is also a good immune booster at this time of the year.

I have obviously focused this month on Essential Oils and support for men. It is also important of course for you to remind yourself, and to encourage your loved ones to do the basics too – eating well, resting well, making time to do things you/they love, and getting some fresh air everyday, as these are all very important in helping us to feel our best and maintain both our physical and mental good health.