Taking time for ourselves

A Wellbeing Day for Bangladeshi Men in Tower Hamlets

We recently held a Wellbeing Day for Bangladeshi men here in Tower Hamlets and honestly, it was something really special.

For many of the men in our community, life is non-stop. They’re busy looking after their families, helping others, and thinking about what’s happening back home in Bangladesh. 

With all that going on, there’s hardly ever a moment to stop and ask: how am I doing?

Ahmed, who leads our Outreach work with older adults, helped organise the event. He said: “It’s important to first understand what wellbeing even means to Bangladeshi men. They’re always thinking about others, never about themselves.”

Why it matters

One of the things that came up during the day was how often people don’t know where to start when it comes to health and wellbeing. 

There’s sometimes a belief that things like diabetes or high blood pressure are just “meant to be;” that it’s in Allah’s hands.

Ahmed said: “Some people believe everything is destiny, even heart attacks. But the truth is, a lot of this comes from things like not exercising, eating too much unhealthy food, or carrying stress for too long.”

There’s also a real taboo around mental health. People might suffer in silence or even think it’s black magic. The day gave space to talk about these things openly, without judgment.

Where faith fits in

Faith can be a powerful support,  but it depends how it’s practiced. “If someone’s praying five times a day and really living by that guidance, it can be great for the mind and soul,” said Ahmed.

“But often, people leave the mosque and fall back into old habits. Culture doesn’t always help, it’s not always connected to faith in a meaningful way.”

What the day looked like

We spent the day trying simple, practical things; breathing exercises, gentle movement, and mindfulness. No pressure, no lectures. Just tools anyone can use in daily life.

Ahmed said the goal was: “To help people think more positively, let go of stress, and focus on their own health,  so they can also help their families and the wider community.”

The vibe was warm, open, and honest. People shared their stories and took time to actually breathe, something many hadn’t done in a long while.

What people said

Here’s what a couple of people shared after the session:

 “I spent many years thinking about others; now I do something for myself.”

“The session was very useful for my wellbeing, and I will try to use the techniques daily.”

Sometimes it really is the small things that make the biggest difference. 

This day was a small step,  but a meaningful one. The hope is that men in our community begin to see their own wellbeing as just as important as everything else they do.

Final words from Ahmed:  “Appreciate the small things. Be kind. Be patient. Focus on your health and mental health, because if you’re not well, how can you support anyone else?”

We’re looking forward to doing more events like this, and keeping these conversations going.