Men's Health Australia August 2022

“I’M GAY.” Quite possibly two of the hardest words any person may have to say – to their family, to their friends and colleagues, and even to themselves. And while the world is certainly a kinder place than it has been, living as a member of the LGBT+ community still carries significant risk for many. Simply to exist as an LGBT+ person in 2022 requires strength, bravery and resilience. Cultural, religious and political beliefs pose often life-threatening dangers to many LGBT+ individuals in countries where homosexuality is outlawed and discrimination is rife. Here in Australia, the situation is better but far from perfect. In 2022, while a pandemic raged, a sitting government chose to prioritise an effort to legalise discrimination against LGBT+ individuals. And we’re still dealing with media outlets trying…

THE BIG QUESTION Q I never know what to say when someone tells me bad news. Little help?! – HB First, don’t say anything at all. Listen. This person is sharing information because they feel comfortable sharing it with you. A shorthand strategy to use is: let the other person do 80-90 per cent of the talking. When it’s time to say something, try asking questions. Here’s another technique of psychologists: curiosity before judgment. Say someone tells you about a loss in the family. “I’m sorry to hear that” isn’t a bad thing to say. But it’s good to follow up with a question like, “What were they like?” Sometimes saying the right thing is hard. But as long as you’re not passing judgment, your friend should forgive any awkwardness.…

“I’M GAY.” Quite possibly two of the hardest words any person may have to say – to their family, to their friends and colleagues, and even to themselves. And while the world is certainly a kinder place than it has been, living as a member of the LGBT+ community still carries significant risk for many. Simply to exist as an LGBT+ person in 2022 requires strength, bravery and resilience. Cultural, religious and political beliefs pose often life-threatening dangers to many LGBT+ individuals in countries where homosexuality is outlawed and discrimination is rife. Here in Australia, the situation is better but far from perfect. In 2022, while a pandemic raged, a sitting government chose to prioritise an effort to legalise discrimination against LGBT+ individuals. And we’re still dealing with media outlets…

Q I keep getting ghosted by girls after a couple of dates. A friend suggested it might be because I come on “too strong”. What’s the line between a guy being enthusiastic and romantic and being too ‘full-on?’– SR Becky: Okay, well, everyone’s version of “full-on” is going to look different. But I think we can all agree on some universal no-nos after a few dates. Nik: Yep. It also requires reading the other person’s enthusiasm level. Becky: Don’t be overly affectionate, needy or demanding. And DEFINITELY don’t be dropping the L word. Nik: A certain energy is great, but just be chill, SR. The first few dates, you’re getting to know someone as a friend first, so take it easy. Becky: For sure approach these early dates with confidence and keenness, but let her…

YOUR MONTHLY DOWNLOAD OF THE LATEST LIFE ENHANCING RESEARCH THE BENEFITS OF moving your body to alleviate mental malaise are well established. But while numerous studies have found raising a sweat to be broadly effective at helping to bust the blues, just how impactful is a single workout to that same end? Researchers at Iowa State University sought to answer that question, drilling down on the effects of intense exercise on mood. Their rather astonishing finding? A 30-minute workout may reduce depressive symptoms for up to 75 minutes post-workout, potentially amplifying the benefits of conventional psychological therapy. “A lot of previous research on the effects of exercise on mental health have used very broad measures of wellbeing, ” says Jacob Meyer, a professor of kinesiology at ISU. “What we were interested in, specifically,…

SOME DISTURBING NEWS for those of us who like to meditate to help manage life’s daily pressures: your mind may not be the pristine refuge from the craziness of today’s 24/7 hyperconnected world you thought it was. That’s because time spent idly wandering your cranium-sized kingdom while focusing on your breathing isn’t the sure-fire escape from anxiety that we’ve been led to believe it is. The problem is a rather inconvenient one: mindfulness could make you a selfish prick. That’s the finding of research out of the University of Buffalo – and it delivers the first blow to the practice’s hitherto saintly reputation. It’s a warning that may have far- reaching consequences for the multibillion-dollar global wellness industry of which mindfulness is a central pillar. “Mindfulness can make you selfish,” says Dr…