Let’s face it. We’ve all seen better days. Whilst the world as we know it has changed dramatically, and we’re all pining for the good old days of 2019, we big men need to take it easy on ourselves. COVID-19 has so much to answer for: lockdowns, social distancing, masks, working from home and Zoom has dominated our lives over the past two years. We’ve missed out on seeing our friends, loved ones and getting out and about.
However, a new hope for a return to normalcy is slowly beginning to dawn. And whilst this could still be a fair while away, it’s important that we big guys rebound healthily in the here and now. To do this we must address the impacts the pandemic has had. Not only on our physical health, but our mental health as well.
Recent research paints a pretty grim picture of what living through these strange times is doing to our wellbeing. It’s obvious. We big men need some Lockdown survival tips to help us survive and thrive until we’re back to normal.
Big Men Lockdown Survival Tip #1 – Goal-setting
Sure, you could lift your Lockdown boredom by trying to eat 100 chicken nuggets in 10 minutes, but we don’t recommend it! Instead, why not try to find a healthier version of yourself by kick-starting a workout routine? Like anything, it’s important to pace yourself when beginning a new exercise regime, or you’ll end up blowing a gasket. Going too hard too soon in life or love is never advisable, nor is it when working out. You’ll end up doing more harm than good. Try to build up a bit of momentum and establish a routine that is maintainable. Start with 10,000 steps per day.
Once you’ve got a healthy walking routine under control, you can begin to think about becoming a big man who runs.
Other awesome healthy goals for us big men during Lockdown could be:
- going alcohol-free Monday to Friday
- one cheat meal per week
- drink two litres of water a day,
Here’s a pro tip for you: get real with your goal setting. Writing down your goals and ticking them off when achieved will keep you accountable. Healthy habits not only have a positive impact on your body but your brain will thank you as well.
Big Men Lockdown Survival Tip #2 – Beware technology
Whilst on Lockdown, with limited entertainment options you might be tempted to dabble in a spot of social media scrolling. I know I have. And it seems I’m not alone. The stats show at least a 30% increase of time spent on social media apps in Australia during Covid Lockdowns. This has brought with it some serious drawbacks.
Sure, it’s easy to mindlessly while away the hours giving your scrolling finger a good workout on your favourite time-wasting app. However, the downsides kick in when we start to compare our lives as big men with those we see on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. In the words of American pastor Steven Furtick, what we need to remember is “one reason we struggle with insecurity: we're comparing our behind the scenes to everyone else's highlight reel.”
Looking at social media can be a real kick in the guts when we see people free and happy when we’re stuck on the couch without much freedom.
Here’s a pro tip for you: try your best to limit your daily social media usage to under an hour. Why not use the time on offer during Lockdown to become a big man who reads instead?
Big Men Lockdown Survival Tip #3 – Get hands on
Starting a home handyman project can help us big men to remain focused during Lockdown. Whilst you don’t necessarily need to tackle a full house renovation, you could easily start a smaller project instead.
And getting hands on doesn’t simply have to mean building something either. Why not big up your big man fatheringskills by investing in a great bit of quality time with the kids? This could take the form of:
- starting a new jigsaw puzzle
- teaching them how to play a sport
- cooking with your kids
Final thoughts
Whatever you choose to do to keep you focused, happy and productive during Lockdown, try not to default the problematic pursuits of bad food, not enough movement and too much screen time. We big men can take charge of our own health and wellness and lead the way for our families through these changed times.
At Ron Bennett know the importance of looking good and feeling great for big men. We know that at the end of the day, what’s most important is that we are kind to ourselves. So if you need to talk to someone about how you’re travelling, be a big man who shares his feelings and give places like Beyond Blue (1300 22 46 36) or Lifeline (13 11 14) a call.
By Anthony Cheadle
