This article is dedicated to all individuals embracing diversity—whether macho or timid, outgoing or shy, providers or caretakers, beer or wine lovers, jocks or bookworms, and everyone in between.

While women are often more inclined to seek medical care, attend health seminars, and read wellness blogs, there’s an emerging awareness about the mental and physical health challenges that affect men. For instance, statistics reveal that many sudden cardiac events and suicides occur among men. As this awareness grows, there’s a noticeable movement among men to prioritize their health, evident in increased engagement in activities like yoga, writing health blogs, and seeking healthcare services.

What’s particularly impressive is that men increasingly recognize the significance of mental wellness and managing stress for overall well-being. Stress plays a substantial role in the health challenges individuals encounter as they age, and contrary to misconceptions, men, too, experience mental health struggles such as depression and loneliness. Men must challenge the stigma around these issues and acknowledge that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

This piece aims to guide men through different stages of life—youth (kapha time), middle age (pitta time), and senior years (Vata time). Life isn’t linear, as circumstances vary. Some may experience challenges early due to family responsibilities or explore their sexuality and maintain fitness into their senior years. Regardless of age, this guide provides a model to nurture the three doshas (energies) and maintain holistic well-being.

Nurturing Kapha Energy: Building and Strengthening

The Kapha energy embodies endurance, stamina, strength, and vitality. To support Kapha energy:

• Engage in seasonal cleanses to eliminate toxins and boost digestion.
• Start your day with nourishing foods like Chyavanprash and boiled milk.
• Consume a colourful diet, emphasizing greens, reds, yellows, and browns.
• Avoid excessively sour, salty, or spicy foods.
• Incorporate protein sources like dairy, quinoa, beans, nuts, and seeds.
• Prioritize hydration and quality sleep.
• Use Triphala to cleanse toxins.

Promoting Pitta Balance: Calm and Soothe

Pitta energy, associated with stress, responsibility, and competition, can impact sex drive and hair health. To maintain pitta balance:

• Chant together or alone to create harmony.
• Use herbs like ashwagandha and vidari to manage excess heat.
• Stay hydrated and avoid pitta-aggravating foods.
• Practice calming pranayama and exercises like chest openers.
• Laugh to reduce stress and boost mood.
• Consume healthy fats and prioritize quality sleep.
• Employ natural hair products and massage the scalp.

Nourishing Vata Energy: Ground and Enlighten

Balanced vata energy offers qualities like grounding, creativity, and wisdom, while imbalanced vata can lead to fear and anxiety. To support vata energy:

• Establish a consistent daily routine and practice meditation.
• Engage in regular bowel movements and maintain movement.
• Focus on relaxation through music, meditation, and pranayama.
• Choose vata-balancing herbs and maintain a healthy diet.
• Foster creativity, meditation, and connection with Satsang.
• Prioritize sleep and address stress with herbs and oils.

Addressing Specific Concerns: Prostate Health and Emotions

Men’s health concerns extend to prostate health and emotional well-being. To address prostate health:

• Stay active to promote circulation and reduce stagnation.
• Practice Vajroli mudra and maintain regular bowel movements.
• Use herbs like Shilajit, Gokshura, and Guggulu.
• Incorporate castor oil massages and stay hydrated.
• Focus on healthy digestion and avoid suppressing natural urges.

Emotionally, men can:

• Create spaces for solace and reflection.
• Seek like-minded friends and engage in Satsang.
• Use soothing herbs, oils, and relaxation techniques.
• Embrace enriching experiences and make peace with the past.

Embracing Holistic Health: A Call to Action

As societal definitions of masculinity evolve, men can prioritize their holistic well-being. By balancing their doshas and nurturing physical, emotional, and spiritual health, men can achieve a state of optimal well-being. This requires internal exploration, self-care, and an openness to personal growth.

Ultimately, men can foster creativity, courage, and compassion, embracing all aspects of themselves to achieve a fulfilling and balanced life.