It seems as though it has become a consistent trend on the internet for young men to try and improve themselves. This online cultural movement of young men engaging in self-improvement is generally a good thing. However, the journey of self-improvement can be long and arduous. One may even feel that they have reached the peak of everything.
There are 5 tips that one can implement that give that extra boost in self-improvement. The tips are to develop a skincare routine, exercise regularly, find a style of fashion one feels comfortable with, develop consistent personal hygiene, and become a kinder person.
Skincare
Developing a skincare routine is one of the easiest ways to begin improving one’s physical appearance. Unfortunately, due to certain societal standards, men are discouraged from skincare. Yet, having clear skin is one of the easiest ways to boost general confidence and physical appearance.
To do so, one only needs a skin cleanser, facial moisturizer, and sunscreen. One could use a retinol serum for skin care as well. ”Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen,” according to Harvard Medical School. Developing a skincare routine can help boost confidence and self-image. Spending time taking care of one’s skin is also seen as self-care in many cultures.
Go to the gym
One of the easiest ways to begin improving oneself is by going to the gym. There’s something about lifting some heavy weights at 5 a.m. in the morning that changes people. Going to the gym can provide a sense of community and help one feel that they are a part of something greater.
Whether the goal is to lose weight or gain muscle, the gym is a place for everyone. If self-improvement is the goal, then building muscle and strength is a viable path for anyone interested in it. Of course, this is one of the primary ways that these young men are already engaging in self-improvement. However, there are a few that they may not be engaging in yet.
Find a style of fashion that one feels comfortable with
Fashion is one of those things generally considered to be a “woman’s thing.” However, the thing about fashion is that fashion is for everyone. People like to feel confident in the clothes they like. Improving general confidence can be an easy task if one feels comfortable in the clothes they wear. There are many types of styles of dress. If one is to engage in fashion, any young man should know that there is no such thing as gendered clothing, only clothing designed to fit certain body types.
What this means is that young men can wear whatever they want, crop tops, dresses, and even things like “hoochie” shorts are on the table. So, when finding a style they like, one should only worry about how it makes them feel in that clothing. People can tell when an item of clothing is making someone uncomfortable. So, it is best to make sure that one isn’t just picking a popular style, but rather a style that they feel most comfortable in.
Hygiene
However, the thing about fashion is that it doesn’t matter how much drip a person has on if they smell bad. Showering regularly has to be the bare minimum if one wants to improve themselves. One can use items like natural deodorant and a strong antibacterial like African soap.
Smell is extremely important for any human being, however, for young men who typically engage in things like bodybuilding, it’s even more important. Learning how to properly clean oneself is extremely important. No one wants to be all stylish but smell terrible. One shouldn’t just cover it up with cologne because that makes it worse. This is simply how to not smell terrible, how to smell good will be in the honorable mentions.
Become a Kinder Person
Most of these tips have been for physical stuff. However, one should not develop only one side of themselves and neglect other parts. Developing only the physical parts of oneself, and neglecting things like self-image, mental health, and personality is like chronically skipping leg day. The point is that uneven development is never good, so one should also try becoming a kinder person.
Kindness and compassion are some of the best things a man can be. One can learn to do this by getting family members gifts, being kind to people on the street, and helping others when they can. It makes no sense to read comic books about heroes being great people and not try to be great people too.
Honorable Mentions
Here are some honorable mentions for men’s self-improvement. The first is wearing nice cologne. Though the first rule about cologne is that it should be discovered, not announced. Do not over-spray anything on one’s body. Most people hate the smell of over-sprayed cologne. However, if one doesn’t over-spray, cologne can be a great way to smell great as a man.
Please make sure your body is fully clean before applying cologne. There are many different scents out there, so here are a few recommendations. Dolce and Gabbana light blue are pretty good for the summer, spice bomb extreme is good for the winter, and Bleu de Chanel is an overall classic.
Drinking water
Drinking water happens to be a great way to improve one’s skin and overall health. It helps in so many different areas of the body and even helps keep you energized. The human body is made up of mostly water, and replenishing said water is one of the best things anybody could do for themselves.
“The National Academy of Medicine suggests an adequate intake of daily fluids of about 13 cups and 9 cups for healthy men and women, respectively, with 1 cup equaling 8 ounces. ” according to Harvard Medical School.
Develop one’s hobbies
Finally, developing hobbies is one of the best ways to improve oneself. Learning and developing new skills that become hobbies is a great way to become a well-rounded person. Being a person that is great at more than one thing is pretty cool.
Furthermore, finding things that one enjoys is a great way to stay grounded in their identity as a person. Hobbies help define people, and many hobbies have a way of helping find community. All in all, these are a few tips for men’s self-improvement.
Written by Kenneth Mazerat
Sources
HSPHHarvard: Water You’ve probably been applying you’re cologne all wrong
BusinessInsider: You’ve probably been applying you’re cologne all wrong
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First Inset Image Courtesy of martijn 365’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Second Inset Image Courtesy of Seika’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
