{"id":167946,"date":"2025-06-04T20:16:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T19:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grizzlyadam.co.uk\/?p=167946"},"modified":"2025-06-04T20:16:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T19:16:59","slug":"grooming-as-self-care-the-mental-health-benefits-of-a-daily-routine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grizzlyadam.co.uk\/fr\/grooming-as-self-care-the-mental-health-benefits-of-a-daily-routine\/","title":{"rendered":"Grooming as Self-Care: The Mental Health Benefits of a Daily Routine"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s a moment\u2014right after I\u2019ve washed my face, run beard oil through my whiskers, and patted on a bit of moisturiser\u2014where I just pause<\/em>. I look in the mirror, not to judge or critique, but to check in. \u201cHow are we doing today?\u201d It\u2019s a small ritual. Takes maybe five minutes. But those five minutes have become one of the most grounding parts of my day.<\/span><\/p>\n

And it turns out, I\u2019m not alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a world that\u2019s constantly shouting for our attention\u2014emails, deadlines, the 24-hour news cycle, even your mate Steve who won\u2019t stop texting about the pub\u2014grooming routines<\/a> offer a kind of quiet rebellion. A daily ritual where, just for a moment, it\u2019s about you<\/em>. Not your inbox. Not your boss. Not the school run. You.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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It\u2019s Not Just Vanity. It\u2019s Sanity.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s get this out of the way: self-care isn\u2019t just bath bombs and scented candles (though, no judgement if that\u2019s your thing). For men especially, there\u2019s often this weird stigma around taking care of ourselves\u2014like applying moisturiser means you\u2019ve somehow betrayed the Brotherhood of Blokes.<\/span><\/p>\n

But let\u2019s be real. Grooming isn\u2019t about vanity. It\u2019s about agency<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When everything around you feels like it\u2019s spinning out of control, that morning beard trim or evening face wash becomes an anchor. It\u2019s a choice. A habit. A little slice of order in an otherwise chaotic world. As Dr. Laurie Santos from Yale (yep, that<\/em> happiness expert) says, \u201cSmall rituals help us feel in control and reduce anxiety. They\u2019re like mental bookmarks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Science of Soap and Sanity<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to a 2023 study published in the Journal of Behavioral Health<\/em><\/a>, men who engage in consistent personal grooming routines report higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of daily stress. The researchers suggest that these routines help reinforce a sense of identity and control\u2014two things we all need, especially when life feels like it\u2019s been run over by a cement mixer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even more interesting? The study found that men who spent just 10\u201315 minutes a day on grooming were more likely to report feeling \u201cgrounded\u201d or \u201cbalanced\u201d by the end of the week.<\/span><\/p>\n

And here\u2019s the kicker: it didn\u2019t really matter what<\/em> they did. Beard trim, hot towel, cologne, cold shower\u2014what mattered was that they did<\/em> it. Regularly. Intentionally. Without rushing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A Ritual, Not a Chore<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You know those days when you wake up feeling like a zombie who forgot how to sleep? Yeah, me too. But over time, I noticed that if I dragged myself into the bathroom and did my little routine\u2014splash of cold water, beard balm, bit of cologne\u2014I felt a bit more human.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s something ancient about rituals. Something primal. Think of monks shaving their heads in silence, or warriors painting their faces before battle. In a way, your grooming routine is your own modern-day version of that. You\u2019re preparing yourself\u2014not necessarily for battle, but for meetings, commutes, awkward small talk, whatever the day throws your way.<\/span><\/p>\n

And that mindset shift can be powerful. Grooming becomes less about looking good for others and more about showing up for yourself<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mental Health Isn\u2019t Always Loud<\/span><\/h3>\n

We talk a lot about mental health now, thankfully. But the truth is, not every struggle looks like someone crying into a pillow. Sometimes, it\u2019s subtle. Quiet. It looks like not showering for three days. Avoiding mirrors. Letting your beard grow wild not because you\u2019re going for a Viking look, but because you just don\u2019t have the energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

If that\u2019s you\u2014mate, you\u2019re not alone. And no, a bit of grooming won\u2019t magically fix deep-rooted depression or anxiety. But it can<\/em> be a step. A crack in the fog. A reminder that you matter enough to take five minutes for yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

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So What Does a \u201cMental Health Routine\u201d Look Like?<\/span><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all, but here\u2019s what\u2019s worked for me and a few mates:<\/span><\/p>\n