How a fine bromance can boost your health: Good friends as important as exercise, eating well
With men already over-represented in suicide statistics and coronavirus fueling fears of a spike, men are being told it’s never been more important to embrace their bromantic side.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Men are being urged to have “meaningful catch-ups” with their mates as a high priority alongside eating well and exercising, with experts pointing to the health benefits of a fine “bromance”.
Psychologist Simon Tyler, who is doing a PhD in men’s health at UniSA, said the importance of “mates getting around mates” was more important than ever, with fears of a spike in suicide as a result of COVID-19.
As it stands, three out of every four people who take their lives daily in Australia are male.
Mr Tyler said while official statistics showing the impact of the virus crisis would not be known for at least 12 months, anecdotal reports were disturbing.
“The disparity between male and female suicide is large … globally, a man suicides every minute – that statistic is a real slap in the face, it is pretty confronting,” he said.
“It leads us to the importance of mates reaching out to each other.
“It’s shown if we’ve got really good friendships – and those male friendships are important – we are going to have better health outcomes, mentally and physically.
“Leveraging these friendships and having the bravery to be comfortable with sharing and being a little more vulnerable is particularly important during COVID.”
Mr Tyler said men needed to prioritise making time to spend with friends.
“We schedule in time to go and exercise, to eat well,” he said.
“We also need to schedule in time to catch up with mates.
“Females tend to be a bit better at it (but) blokes are a little bit less organised.”
Mr Tyler said men were improving at “being vulnerable”.
“We are seeing guys better share with each other … footy clubs can be great of examples of where men really get around each other,” he said.
Booleroo Melrose Wilmington (BMW) Football Club player coach Alek Kangur said his close mates provided “peace of mind” during difficult times.
“A footy club with a good culture such as ours is a perfect example,” he said.
“These guys have your back no matter what ... knowing you will see the lads at training or on the weekend is always reassuring.
“You feel safe to share anything or to just get around each other with some man love.”
Founder of global men’s advocacy organisation, Brothers, Kim Evensen, said all humans – not just females – needed deep connections.
“The reason I started Brothers was because I realised the culture we live in doesn’t necessarily encourage guys to develop deep friendships,” said the author of newly-released The Real Bro Code.
“The topic of men’s friendships has been neglected for too long and individuals and our society have had to face the consequences (of that).”