Lululemon recently announced its newest focus will be mindfulness for men, extending the company’s well-being-centric philosophies to their male consumers. While the yoga-inspired athletic apparel company has always created clothing for women and men, they want their male clientele to embrace not only the athletic part of the company, but the mindfulness part as well. “What that does [to] the mental and physical centers is really important to us,” Ben Stubbington, Lululemon’s senior vice president of men’s design, told Quartz. “It’s [about] finding that space and that thing that works for you… And gives you that sense of meditation.”
The once female-dominated mindfulness movement is being embraced by more men, who are welcoming self-care rituals, adopting skincare routines and downloading meditation apps.
Here are a few famous men who have opened up about embracing self-care in their lives, and are inspiring us to do the same:
Prince Harry meditates daily
Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle chatted with a Buddhist monk on a January 2019 charity trip, where the prince admitted he meditates every day, as reported by the Daily Mail. Prince Harry has made news in the past for speaking out about mental health and prioritizing his sleep by wearing a tracker — and his meditation practice is the most recent way he’s putting his well-being first, and being unapologetically vocal about its importance in his life.
Frank Ocean makes skincare a priority
In his recent GQ feature, musician Frank Ocean opened up about the role his skin care routine plays in his life, and how his daily ritual makes him feel his best. “I really do believe in a night cream,” he told GQ. “[Most] men just go to sleep… You really need to do a gentle wash and put a moisturizer on.” Ocean also spoke about how his skin care makes him feel, and how some days, it could determine a serious difference in his confidence levels. “Some days, like today, I feel very beautiful,” he said. “I need the night cream because when I wake up I feel… ready to have people making eye contact with me.”
Snoop Dogg sees the power of a manicure
When you think of Snoop Dogg, you may not immediately think of a fresh manicure — but maybe you should. The rapper has been vocal about prioritizing self-care for years, and in a 2014 interview with The Fader, he opened up about owning his beauty rituals — specifically, his nail care. “I’m a man that can tap into my feminine side and still know that I’m a masculine man with a manicure,” he said. “As males we all have feminine ways… It’s okay to tap into those inner ways.”
Dan Harris quiets his inner critic with mindfulness
Author of New York Times bestseller 10% Happier, Dan Harris is all about welcoming meditation into your life, even if you’re a skeptic. Now a podcast and an app, 10% Happier breaks down the stigma surrounding meditation and evangelizes carving out a few minutes in your day for mindfulness. And in Harris’ case, his meditation practice became a way for him to relieve stress and quiet his inner critic. “We spend a lot of time judging ourselves harshly for feelings that we had no role in summoning,” Harris writes in his book. “The only thing you can control is how you handle it.”
Adam Levine swears yoga made him more successful
Adam Levine has used strengthening yoga poses to increase his physical stamina and strength, but the Maroon 5 singer has also opened up about using the practice as a way to center himself when he feels unbalanced or on edge. “Yoga has given me the ability to be more focused and make better decisions that come from a clear place,” he said in an interview with Men’s Health. “It’s made me more successful. I love it and don’t know what I’d do without it.”
David Beckham says grooming rituals are more than skin-deep
“For me, grooming is not only about how you look, but how you feel,” David Beckham said in an interview last year promoting his male grooming line, in partnership with L’Oreal. The product collection, marketed to “upgrade every step of the modern-man’s routine” aims to prove that self-care can, and should, be a priority for men as well. The former professional soccer player launched the line on the premise that beauty rituals are for everyone — and embracing a beauty regimen goes deeper than surface-level. “It’s about being comfortable trying new things and shaping your look,” he said.
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