Tag Archives: men’s health

Best Cities For Men: Men’s Health Releases 2013 Ranking

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Portland ranked 10th in the list of best cities for men.

Portland ranked 10th in the list of best cities for men.

Men’s Health magazine has released its 12th annual list of the best cities for men.

The ranking of 100 cities is based on 38 factors, including air quality, unemployment, death rates and commute times, according to a press release. Data was taken from government databases and cancer registries, Reuters reported.

This year, a number of western and southern states made the top 10 list of best cities for men.

For the full ranking — including the worst, fittest and healthiest cities for men — make sure you click over to Men’s Health.

Here’s the list of the 10 best cities in the U.S. for men to live.

Via www.huffingtonpost.com

Continue reading →

Signs of Depression and Where to Look For Help!

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First and most importantly there is NO SHAME in dealing with mental health issues. Mental health does not discriminate, it effects all races, genders and class!

Depression:

Major depression—also known as clinical depression—is a serious but common medical condition that affects gay men and lesbians at a higher rate than the general population. A number of factors may contribute to this, from living in an often homophobic society to facing family rejection to being closeted in some or all aspects of life.

Some of the symptoms of depression include:

  • Depressed mood most of the day;
  • Markedly decreased interest in activities most of the day;
  • Decrease or increase in appetite;
  • Decrease or increase in sleep;
  • Fatigue or loss of energy;
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt; and
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Depression treatment usually includes a thorough evaluation, patient education, and self-help instructions, individual or group talk therapy and, when appropriate, the prescription of anti-depressant medications. Treatment should begin with a thorough evaluation to rule out an underlying medical condition or the side effect of medications as the cause of the depression symptoms

Two specific types of psychotherapy have been proven effective in treating depression: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Steps often recommended to help combat depression include setting realistic goals, breaking tasks into small pieces, spending time with others, being physically active, avoiding drugs and alcohol consumption, being patient about the rate of improvement, and avoiding making major life decisions.

Several different classes of prescription medication are available to treat depression. These medications are prescribed by a licensed professional after careful consultation with the individual patient. They need to be taken exactly as prescribed.

If you’re unsure where to go for help, ask your primary care physician, internist, OB/GYN or health clinic for assistance. You can also check the Yellow Pages or Internet listings under such subjects as mental health, social services, suicide prevention, hospitals or physicians.
GLMA additionally has an online referrals resource you can search immediately by clicking here. Many treatment options exist to help you find the right answers.

Additional Resources

Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists
(215) 222-2800
www.aglp.org

GayHealth.com
www.gayhealth.com

National Foundation for Depressive Illness
www.depression.org

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
(800) 826-3632
www.dbsalliance.org

American Psychiatric Association
www.psych.org

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
(888) 333-2377
www.afsp.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
www.samhsa.gov

Depression.com
www.depression.com

It Might Be Harder to Recognize Signs of Depression in Men

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VIA 

Take  this very serious men, and have no shame surrounding mental health issues! Holidays can be very hard on people. You don’t have to be the tough guy that shrugs it off.

A recent study by the Department of Psychology at the University of Westminster in London has found that depression, though significantly more common in women, is much more difficult to recognize in men. Researchers presented a sample group (1,218 UK adults) with the following vignette that, in non clinical terms, describes the symptoms of depression:

“For the past two weeks, Kate/Jack has been feeling really down. S/he wakes up in the morning with a flat, heavy feeling that sticks with her/him all day. S/he isn’t enjoying things the way she normally would. In fact, nothing gives her/him pleasure…S/he finds it hard to concentrate on anything. S/he feels out of energy and out of steam. And even though Kate/Jack feels tired, when night comes s/he can’t go to sleep.”

Half of the group was given the male version of the story, while the other half was given the female version. Researchers then asked the group whether or not the character had a mental disorder, whether or not he or she should seek treatment, how difficult the treatment would be, what the character’s problem was and how sympathetic they felt towards the person.

Participants were far more likely to assume that Kate was suffering from a mental disorder than Jack, despite their stories and symptoms being the exact same. Male members of the sample group were particularly likely to dismiss Jack’s mental health problems and were less able to sympathize with his situation. They were, however, very sympathetic towards Kate.

The study presents a very interesting flip-side to a very old situation — women have long suffered from having their actions, feelings and emotions devalued and dismissed as craziness or hysteria, but perhaps men have suffered equally from not having their legitimate mental illness recognized at all. As The Atlantic‘s Lindsay Abrams puts it:

It’s been suggested that people have difficulty reconciling notions of strength and toughness with the symptoms of depression, making it more difficult for depressed men to attain understanding and acceptance for their disorder. Men even tend to experience depression differently — the disorder tends to manifest itself as physical discomfort or irritability, as opposed to women’s more emotion-based symptoms. This may be because, for men, an overabundance of “feelings” is a less culturally acceptable mode of expression.

Recognizing and addressing this double standard could do wonders for both sexes, especially those in need of or seeking treatment.

Mental Health Literacy of Depression: Gender Differences and Attitudinal Antecedents in a Representative British Sample [Plos One]
Study: We’re Less Likely to Recognize Symptoms of Depression in Men [The Atlantic]
Image via Oleg Golovnev/Shutterstock.

A Visit With Medical Esthetician Brandon Doyle at 360SKIN: Microdermabrasion and Waxing Videos

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Tis the season to check in with your esthetician to discuss possible damage done over the summer and to prepare your skin for the season to come. Accidental Bear, Mike Enders checks in with his skin go to guy, Medical  Esthetician Brandon Doyle at 360Skin in San Francisco, CA. Together they come up with a game plan and agreed to microdermabrasion  and with a little more arm twisting a back waxing!

As a special gift to Accidental Bear readers, Brandon is offering 20% off your first visit, for those who drop the name Accidental Bear. Awesome!

Be sure to follow Brandon’s 360 Blog where he gives straightforward skincare advice and tips!

Find Brandon Doyle on FACEBOOK.

Be sure to check out  past videos of these two together and their demo videos of Back Facials, Nose and Ear Waxing and More!

What is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical, non-chemical, non-invasive method of skin resurfacing that utilizes a diamond-tipped wand with suction to provide effective exfoliation and rejuvenation of the epidermal layers of the skin. This increases the blood supply providing nutrients necessary for skin regeneration, repair, and increased collagen production which helps keep your skin soft, plump, and youthful. Additionally, it improves the skin’s elasticity and overall texture, as well as balancing the pigment.

Microdermabrasion can reduce the appearance of acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage by exfoliating the top layers of the skin leaving it smooth and fresh. No chemicals are used.

 

Waxing FAQ:

What do I wear to my treatment?
When you are coming in to be waxed it is important that you wear nothing that is overly tight. You don’t want to irritate your skin after the procedure. Wear something loose and preferably cotton; the key is comfort and breathability.

Does it hurt?
This answer depends mainly on your pain threshold. For most men, yes it is uncomfortable. Some men take two Tylenol 30 minutes before their treatments. I strive to make the experience as quick and seamless as possible.
Will my skin stay red for long?
No. Redness resulting from waxing goes within a couple of hours. If it doesn’t, see your physician.
How often should I wax?
In order to maintain the desired results we recommed every 4-6 weeks. Your therapist needs at least 1/4″ of hair for the wax to adhere properly. Some men go every 3 weeks for a back wax. Others every 6 weeks. The more regularly you are seen the better; young hairs come out much easier.
Does the hair ever stop growing?
In some people hair growth may eventually stop or slow to such a degree that it is negligible. After a few years of consistant waxing many men see a noticable change in hair growth and texture.
Can I sun tan before or after waxing?
Never get waxed after you’ve been in the sun too long. A higher temperature of the skin can make it difficult to completely remove the hair from the follicle. Afterwards, please wait 48 hours before sun bathing.

 

 www.360Skin.com

Top New Year’s Resolutions for Men’s Health

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(StatePoint) This year, millions of New Year’s resolutions will be made – and then broken soon after. But there is one resolution that all men should keep: to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting one in six men, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. In addition, heart disease killed 26 percent of the men who died in 2006. And half of the men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are many simple ways men can reduce their risk for life-threatening health conditions. Make a New Year’s resolution to improve your health and better your life with these easy tips. Continue reading →

Embrace Your Fellow Man with Bear Hugs

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BONDING: Sean McManus and Nathan Sim hug.

by DAVID SYGALL

The manhug may be a sign of changing attitudes to masculinity.

Real men don’t cry. They hug each other.

It seems a simple gesture, an expression of closeness between mates, which, if done correctly, exudes virility. But when the manhug goes wrong, the repercussions can be horribly awkward.

It’s why the perfect male-on-male embrace is governed by strict rules: three pats on the back, no ”nuzzling” and definitely no contact below the chest.

But don’t bother looking for these rules. They’re neither written nor spoken, making sealing the deal like walking a minefield of masculinity.

Nevertheless, there appears to be an increasing propensity for physical interaction among young men whose displays of emotion to each other were once confined to a firm handshake. Continue reading →

Binge Eating Among Men Steps Out of the Shadows

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How many of us are guilty of this? How many of us are ashamed of this behavior? Don’t be! Educate yourself.

FIRSTHAND Andrew Walen, a recovering binge eater, now counsels others.

After downing 70 chicken wings in about an hour, Andrew Walen realized he had a problem.

Oh, he had known something was wrong over the years. Normal people don’t consume 4,500 calories worth of food in one sitting, or order takeout for four when dining alone. But it took a maniacal feeding frenzy for him to finally accept the reality: He was a binge eater, and he had absolutely no control around food.

“Ultimately, it was about numbing out and self-loathing,” said Mr. Walen, now 39 and a therapist in Columbia, Md. “There was this voice in my head that said, ‘You’re no good, worthless,’ and I turned to food.”

Mr. Walen is one of an estimated eight million men and women in the United States who struggle with binge eating, defined as consuming large amounts of food within a two-hour period at least twice a week without purging, accompanied by a sense of being out of control. Continue reading →

The Stigma Project: Neutralize Stigma Associated with HIV Through Education Via Social Media and Networking

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If you’re still refusing to kiss someone merely because of their status you don’t know HIV. Saliva alone does not contain a sufficient amount of the virus. So unless both individuals have bloody gums or open sores in their mouth there is no transmission risk from playing a little tonsil hockey. Now pucker up and LIKE The Stigma Project on Facebook!

A grassroots organization that aims to lower the HIV infection rate and neutralize stigma through education via social media and networking.
Mission

The Stigma Project seeks to create an HIV neutral world, free of judgement and fear by working with both positive and negative individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, or background. We aim to lower the HIV infection rate by defeating the stigma that strengthens it.

Description
It’s (Y)OURS ± We strongly encourage you to not only LIKE our page but SHARE our posts and creative materials!

In order to succeed in our mission (above) we need visibility from both sides of the spectrum. So whether your HIV-positive or HIV-negative, you should to be informed of the constantly evolving state of HIV/AIDS. We’re here to help! We ask that you join us in our attempt to defeat stigma and educate the world. Join the neutral revolution!

Check out more info  www.thestigmaproject.org

A Visit With Esthetician Brandon Doyle at 360 Skin: Back Facial, Nose and Ear Waxing(Videos)

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As part of our Men’s Health Series ( http://insidefirst.me/) Accidental Bear’s Mike Enders visits with Medical Esthetician Brandon Doyle at 360 Skin in San Francisco. Overall skin care needs and Brandon’s specialties. Brandon’s passion and knowledge for men’s skin clear is in abundance. Check out our fun videos below  where we chat about general skin care needs, chemical peels, sun damage, Male Brazilian Waxing and much more.

Brandon Doyle is the founder of 360 Skin, a certified medical esthetics practice for advanced skin care located in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District. Brandon specializes in the unique needs of professional men with the expressed goal of solving your skin care issues and maintaining your skin’s health and appearance.

Brandon has received his post-graduate esthetic training from the top educators and practitioners in the esthetics field. He continues his education through annual conferences and coursework to ensure his clients are given the most cutting edge treatments.

The utilization of non-invasive cosmetic procedures, nutrition, and a keen, discerning eye all allow him to rectify the aging process with natural appearing results. Ultimately, it is Brandon’s straightforward, genuine demeanor, knowledge, and skill that make him one of San Francisco’s top aesthetic practitioners.

www.360skin.com

Find Brandon on FACEBOOK