Gen Z Men Are Battling 'Loneliness Epidemic' In The Gym – But It's Not Always Healthy

Man in gymResearch suggests millions of men are struggling with loneliness in silence (though the issue doesn’t seem to be as gendered as some might think; women also appear to feel more isolated than ever). But King’s College London says that men are more likely than women to be in denial about their loneliness and to keep their distress to themselves, instead tending to show their unhappiness indirectly. Speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Simon Le Clerc, medical director of HealthCare in Mind, says that “many Gen Z and millennial men are increasingly turning to exercise and wellness habits like gym workouts, nature walking and fitness tracking to manage their mental health, stress and, sometimes, loneliness.”On the surface, that sounds helpful. After all, exercise is amazing for your physical and mental health. Still, Dr Le Clerc tells us, the solution can sometimes “signal deeper struggles,” sometimes stemming from the very loneliness it may seek to correc. We spoke to the expert about when working out might actually help your mental health – and how to spot if it’s a symptom of something bigger.In general, exercise is a great ideaAlmost half of Gen Z gym goers exercise in order to improve their mood and mental well-being. And in general, the doctor shares, this is a “positive” choice. “Regular exercise, time in nature, structured routine and goal setting are proven to support emotional regulation and offer a health outlet for anxiety, stress or low mood,” he says. A 2023 review of studies found that physical activity can help to lessen the symptoms of multiple psychiatric conditions.Still, the doctor says, “societal pressures amplified by the relentlessness of social media” and combined with loneliness can make younger men unhealthily obsessive about their physique.“Spotting when things go too far can be difficult,” he comments.Research suggests that one in four men with an eating disorder are men, while trustee of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation, Dr Willson, told the BBC: “We’re seeing a change in emphasis on men in the media from a lean physique, to focusing on muscles and six packs.”Meanwhile, researchers suggest that “muscularity-oriented disordered eating,” like fasting and bulking, can be harder to spot than “traditional” kinds of ED.When does exercise go too far? Dr Le Clerc thinks that “rigid” and “obsessive” attitudes towards working out can sometimes reveal “deeper struggles.” “If a friend is cancelling social plans to squeeze in another workout or obsessively tracking meals, it might be a sign that their behaviour is masking underlying anxiety, loneliness, or even disordered eating.” Loneliness has been associated with more severe presentations of eating disorders.The “clean eating” some associate with fitness can be a cover for orthorexia and other eating disorders, the expert adds: disorders that men “don’t want to acknowledge or that they’re even aware of having.” He continues, “We see many young men using fitness and wellness as a coping strategy, but without addressing the root causes, such as isolation, trauma or low self-worth. “It’s critical for young men to realise that seeking help isn’tweakness, but it is instead one of the strongest steps a man can take for his health, both mentally and physically.” Eating disorder charity BEAT has a page dedicated to signs of different eating disorders, while you can find relevant support below if you’re worried about yourself or a loved one.Help and support:Beat: Adult Helpline: 0808 801 0677 and Youthline: 0808 801 0711, or email [email protected] (adults) [email protected] (youth support) Samaritans: Open 24 hours a day, on 116 123Mind: Open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393 Related...Loneliness Led Me To Asking 1000 People To Be My Friend, This Is How It WentNew Study Uncovers An Alarming Consequence Of Chronic LonelinessHow To Help Tackle Loneliness – From Volunteering To Virtual Coffees

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