{"id":15189,"date":"2017-06-12T19:51:05","date_gmt":"2017-06-12T19:51:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zeel.com\/blog\/?p=15189"},"modified":"2022-07-06T18:46:20","modified_gmt":"2022-07-06T22:46:20","slug":"why-men-should-pamper-themselves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zeel.com\/blog\/lifestyle\/why-men-should-pamper-themselves\/","title":{"rendered":"Stress Relief for Men: 5 Indulgent Self-Care Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s the 21st century, and it\u2019s no longer taboo for men to treat\u00a0themselves. No, don\u2019t recoil \u2014 self-care\u00a0isn\u2019t just for ladies who lunch and dye their poodles. Treating yourself simply means to indulge in a self-care activity that\u2019s not part of your regular routine. And what better time of year to mix things up (in a good way) than Father\u2019s Day?<\/p>\n

Treating\u00a0oneself is also a great way to unwind and relieve tension. To understand the stress-relieving potential of a little manly me-time, it\u2019s important to first note the difference in how men handle stress.<\/p>\n

How men respond to stress: like cavemen<\/h2>\n

Humans are less modern (biologically) than we\u2019d like to believe. Typically, men like to let out extra testosterone through physical activities \u2014 lifting at the gym, running, playing a competitive pickup game with the guys, or banging out 30 push-ups at home. This may have something to do with the \u201cfight-or-flight vs. tend-and-befriend\u201d stress management mechanisms, as cited by this Harvard study<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In a nutshell, the study says that when a caveman saw an angry bear, his body triggered a natural response to either confront the bear, or flee the scene. Men today still have a flight-or-flight reaction to stressors, only now it\u2019s triggered by being overcharged at the bar, getting stuck behind a slow driver, or inevitable work stress<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In 2017, it\u2019s important for men to blow off steam in calmer ways. Here are some indulgent, manly\u00a0activities that can help alleviate stress \u2014 and don\u2019t involve fighting sabretooth tigers or yelling at clouds.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Male grooming and indulgent\u00a0ideas\u00a0to relieve stress<\/h2>\n

1. Shave and a haircut<\/h3>\n

Ever notice how you feel like a whole new man after getting a crisp haircut? There\u2019s a built-in confidence boost after the barber finishes removing the shaggy exterior, and that handsome devil you haven\u2019t seen in a month reveals himself in the mirror. Going to the barber is an excellent way to treat yourself. Only this time, don\u2019t just go for the standard $20 cut. Splurge a little. Say yes to the straight razor neck shave, the beard and mustache trim, the hot towel. Ask for a shampoo rinse afterward, or even a tea tree treatment. It\u2019s essentially a scalp massage<\/a> with a tingly hair product that will completely rejuvenate you. Just don\u2019t melt in the chair.<\/p>\n

2. Taste fine whiskey (or whisky)<\/h3>\n

Nothing says manly indulgence like sipping a 10- to 15-year single malt scotch. No need to go to a bar and spend $20 for a glass. You can stay budget-conscious and still enjoy the finer flavors of the Scottish Highlands. Head to the liquor store and get yourself a bottle of Laphroaig, Lavagulin, or Glenfiddich, along with a couple of snifter glasses (all of this should cost you under $100). Put on some calming music. Add a splash of water to open up the spirit, and boom: you\u2019ve transformed your house into a DIY whisky tasting lounge. This is also a great father-kid bonding activity for Father\u2019s Day (if your child is over 21, of course).<\/p>\n

Note: try combining #1 and #2 if you\u2019re in a major city like LA or NYC. Places like The Blind Barber<\/em> offer a complimentary cocktail with every haircut.<\/p>\n

3. Get a pedicure<\/h3>\n

Summer\u2019s here, and toes are out in the open. It\u2019s totally appropriate (and common) for men to get a pedicure, especially if you\u2019re going to the beach anytime soon and plan to wear flip-flops. Aside from aesthetic reasons, there are some feel-good reasons<\/a> for getting a pedicure too. Your pedicurist will trim your toenails (which prevents ingrown nails \u2014 ouch), clean your feet, including the accumulated detritus beneath your nails, and even give you a nice foot and leg massage. Plus, you can check your phone the entire time if you want. No need to get polish if that\u2019s not your thing.<\/p>\n

4. Buy a new pair of shoes<\/h3>\n

Since we\u2019re on the subject of foot maintenance, let\u2019s consider sneaker shopping for men. You\u2019ve probably heard the song lyric, \u201cHey, I put some new shoes on and suddenly everything\u2019s right.\u201d It couldn\u2019t be more true. Treating yourself to a comfortable new pair of kicks can transform your entire mood for weeks, and dramatically improve posture<\/a>. Everyone needs to be able to walk upright in style (especially given how often we\u2019re hunched over our phones \u2014 but that\u2019s a topic for a different blog post).<\/p>\n

5. In-home massage therapy<\/h3>\n

There are many reasons why men need massages. From sports injuries to neck and back pain, to overall relaxation and general relief from the 9-to-5 tension. Massage can even cure hangovers<\/a> and improve cardiovascular health. According a study in Men\u2019s Fitness<\/em> magazine<\/a>, \u201cJust 45\u201360 minutes of relaxation massage lowered subjects\u2019 heart rates by more than 10 beats per minute, lowering blood pressure, and promoting serotonin, the sleep hormone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Often, though, men don\u2019t necessarily want all the frills that go along with a spa day \u2014 the bathrobes, cucumber water, etc. They just want a massage<\/a>, and they want it now. That\u2019s a big part of why Zeel Massage On Demand was created \u2014 so that you can conveniently order a massage through a mobile app, delivered to your home in as little as an hour, and you can even choose the gender of your massage therapist.<\/p>\n

Massage start times are available as late as 10:30pm, designed for the guy who isn\u2019t big on planning. Once you book your appointment, the Zeel Massage Therapist brings the table, sheets, and everything you need to enjoy a 5-star massage. Then, you can slip into hibernation mode in the comfort of your own residence. No more driving home from a spa through stressful traffic.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There are many methods for men to treat themselves to the finer things in life. These are just a few. Hopefully you found this article helpful in brainstorming ways to unwind, either for you or the man in your life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking for a stress-relieving\u00a0Father’s Day gift? Look no further than\u00a0Zeel’s massage gift cards<\/a> for Dad.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Who says men can’t indulge? From male grooming to whisky tasting to in-home massage, treat yourself to the finer things in life this Father’s Day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":15211,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1305],"tags":[284,357,364,367,368,635,638],"thb-sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-15189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-dad-gifts","tag-experience-gifts","tag-fathers-day","tag-fathers-day-massage","tag-fathers-day-massage-gift","tag-massage-for-husband","tag-massage-for-men"],"yoast_head":"\nStress Relief for Men: 5 Indulgent Self-Care Activities | Zeel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gentlemen, ready to unwind and de-stress? Look no further. 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