For years, men’s wellness in India was synonymous with physical strength — gym memberships, protein jars, and the occasional annual check-up. Emotional wellbeing sat quietly in the background, dismissed as something men would “figure out” on their own. But a new narrative is taking shape, men are finally redefining what it means to be well.
Today, the idea of wellness has expanded from a purely physical pursuit into a more layered one. Stress, anxiety, work pressure, heartbreak, sleep issues, and emotional exhaustion are no longer topics men hide behind humour or silence. Instead, a growing number of men are beginning to acknowledge their inner world with the same seriousness they give their outer one.
Part of this shift comes from a cultural softening. Urban India is slowly but surely moving away from the old script — the one where men stay silent, shoulder everything, and express nothing. As conversations around mental health become more visible, men are realising that emotional resilience is not the opposite of masculinity; it’s an essential part of it.
“Men are taught from a very young age to stay composed, stay in control, and stay ‘strong’ at all times,” says Dr. Zirak Marker, Senior Psychiatrist and Director at Mpower, Mumbai. “But emotional suppression doesn’t build strength — it builds distance. When men learn to acknowledge what they feel, real wellbeing begins.”
This new wave of self-awareness is showing up in subtle but meaningful ways. Therapy appointments booked by male clients have increased. Men who once saw wellness as just a workout are now adding practices like meditation, breathwork, journaling, and even simple unplugging to their routines. For some, it’s a quiet morning walk; for others, it’s choosing rest without guilt.
One of the biggest changes is language. Men are learning to say:
“I’m overwhelmed.”
“I’m tired.”
“I need a break.”
“I’m not okay today.”
While women have historically been more attuned to emotional processing, men are now discovering the power of internal clarity. It’s reflected not only in how they care for themselves but also in how they support others.
The modern male wellness routine now looks refreshingly balanced: a workout, yes, but also a moment to breathe; ambition, yes, but not at the cost of mental peace; confidence, yes, but grounded in honesty rather than denial.
The message for men is simple: wellness isn’t about toughness — it’s about wholeness. And acknowledging your emotional world isn’t a departure from strength; it is strength in its truest form.
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