A Focus on Men’s Health
For men, not seeking care, especially for mental and emotional health issues, is a well-known fact. Men are accustomed to hiding their emotions, and recent statistics reveal that they are only half as likely as women to seek mental health support. In addition, the time from onset to seeking treatment is twice as long. Many healthcare experts attribute these differences to the stigma of showing emotion. Whatever the reason, it is clear that men require their own solution for dealing with mental health.
The digital world is one way to reduce barriers to seeking care. Of course, the use of tech should never replace the care of a qualified health professional. However, the reality is that, since men are less likely to seek out mental and emotional care on their own, having options available that are accessible and private can be helpful.
Talkspace is a platform that offers a safe space for comfortably sharing emotions and receiving feedback from licensed mental health experts. The app allows the user to share real-time thoughts and feelings without the inconvenience of waiting for an appointment, which can be a barrier to seeking help. The platform also offers self-help tools and healthy living support, which can aid in dealing with anger, chronic stress, depression, relationship issues or past traumas.
Moodfit is an app that provides insight into mental and emotional health by tracking moods and giving tips for assessing habits, practising gratitude, and discovering healthy diet and lifestyle choices.
Another app called Sanvello tracks moods as well, and uses cognitive behavioural therapy to promote mindfulness. Sanvello also provides the opportunity to connect anonymously with other users and share experiences and advice within the platform’s community.
Happify can be helpful for men who suffer from low moods, by encouraging self-care and improving mental health through reframing thoughts and simple relaxation techniques. Short games are used to engage and provide a fun and relaxing way to cope with stress.
TAIM and Men’s Health
Men often neglect their health. Despite this, they are in fact more prone than women to chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity. A key contributing factor is lifestyle choices. Through Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine, we teach men to make the lifestyle changes necessary, particularly to diet and stress levels, to ensure a longer, more healthy, fulfilling life.
According to TAIM philosophy, each individual is composed of humours. These are earth, water, air and fire, associated with hot, cold, wet and dry, and when these humours are in excess or out of balance, illness prevails.
For example, the andrological condition of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or prostate enlargement, is attributed to excess wetness in TAIM. The enlarged prostate presses on the urethra, resulting in changes to urinary patterns that worsen with time, such as a frequent or urgent need to urinate, difficulty beginning urination, dribbling at the end, and an inability to completely empty the bladder. Conditions that increase the incidence of PBH include ageing and the aforementioned lifestyle diseases of heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
To counter excess wetness in the body, and thus the onset and worsening of BPH, TAIM advises avoiding cold foods – dairy, white flour, refined sugar, chocolate, carbonated beverages, and products containing food colouring. Herbal supplements with anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects include Urtica dioica (stinging nettle), Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) and Epilobium parviflorum (small-flowered willow herb). Hijama, or cupping, which is common to many healing traditions around the world as well as TAIM, can also relieve inflammation and thus symptoms.
Dr. Jason Culp - Research & Development Director, Chiva-Som
For the past decade, Dr. Culp has held the position of senior naturopathic physician at Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, where he conducts natural wellness consultations with guests. In addition to his role as naturopath, he is the founder and director of the Research & Development department, with the primary objective of evaluating and exploring the use of evidence-based natural therapies in a holistic wellness setting.
Dr. Bibi Ayesha Lockhat - TAIM Specialist, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som
Dr Lockhat is a graduate of The University of The Western Cape in her native Capetown, with a dual degree in Complementary Health Sciences and Complementary Medicine. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Child & Family Studies, and as such, is one of our most valued health and wellness advisors.
Applying a holistic approach to each individual, as well as the family unit, Dr. Lockhat places great emphasis on spiritual development. She is also an expert in hands-on healing, such as hijama, massage, acupressure and aromatherapy, and often draws on herbal remedies to improve overall health.