Men are always expected to want to have their own man cave - a space to relax in, watch the game, drink some beers and play some pool with the guys. Well, here is a quick newsflash! It is nearly 2020, and modern men are far more self-aware, mindful and no longer do they all think that self-care is ‘unmanly” or a sign of weakness. There is an urgent need for men, especially fathers, to find a way to attain head-to-toe wellness through self –care routines.  

In fact, in this era, men are suffering from stress at levels which have never been seen before, which is causing them a multitude of severe physical and mental health conditions, some of which have fatal consequences. More about this below. Let’s explore how you can create a peaceful retreat in your own garden that you can use to help you to reach a mindfully healthy mental and physical state.

What is the extent of the male health crisis?

Traditionally, men and boys are programmed by society not to ask for help, and to act like everything is cool and totally under control even when they feel fearful and lost. The put on a brave face. This can be the case with men’s health problems, whereby Harvard University research has shown men are less likely to go to a doctor, and 40% or more will not go to see a doctor at all unless they are seriously ill. 

This is equally the case with men’s mental health – males are reluctant to admit to being sad, lonely tired and depressed. men are 3.5 more likely to commit suicide that women, and the suicide rate has been rising sharply over the past 20 years. It is the main cause of death among men under 45 in the United Kingdom, and men took their own lives at the rate of 17.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2018, according to the Office For National Statistics.

What Can You Do To Help Your Mental Health

Forget the man cave with the guys to relax – first off, start working on building a positive mindset. The practice of meditation has been proven to produce dopamine and serotonin, the chemicals in the brain that help you real, and is central to helping you switch off the engines in your mind. Taking time to think about positive things will give you a real sense of balance, and help dribe those heebie-jeebies you’re your mindset. Check out the information at https://www.buddhismnature.com/ to help get you started.

Build A Simple Retreat Instead Of A Man Cave

You need to create a quiet space to begin your meditation practice, and especially if you are a dad, you know that this can be nigh impossible if you have children. So why not create a space in your backyard? You do not need much space for your building retreat, you could start with a simple 16 foot wide custom-engineered Calhoun Super Structure fabric building, and kit out the building with comfortable furnishings.

It is best to meditate without wearing lots of clothing, so you want to make sure that you have suitable heating and make the space as pure as possible, so you might decide that it is time for an oil purification machine to filter the oil in your heating system for your retreat.

Let us know how you get on with the creation of your outdoor retreat and your best construction tips in the comments.