Manly Stress How To Approach It

Our society develops at the speed of light and requires everyone to be an efficient part of it. If you want to be successful, you need to keep the right tempo 24/7. Such pressure may seem like an active life at first, a great opportunity to develop agility and toughness, yet, at some point, your inner energy tank gets deflated, leading to stress and frustration. While both sexes men and women are exposed to stress evenly, they react differently.

We often hear about women needing help and support, as they are more prone to stress, and men being strong enough to withstand all the winds of life. What a discriminatory vision.

Men and women, when undergoing a stressful situation, have cortisol, epinephrine, and oxytocin released in the bloodstream, which causes high blood pressure and blood sugar levels. While short-time obstacles help us stimulate our movement forward, the ongoing chronic condition is detrimental to all our functions: cognitive abilities, emotional behavior, physical performance, and overall health. Women tend to nurture their feeling, cry, talk, release their pain, and thus, move away from it; whereas men either don’t admit having stress, or just bottle everything up, which complicates everything.

Long-Term Effects Of Stress And How To Solve Them

Here are a few long-term side effects of stress that have been noted in individuals:  

Physical Health Problems

Obesity

Weight gain is a very common result of stress, as when being nervous the majority of people start eating more, which is called emotional overeating. When chewing something, our brain gets distracted from the nagging thoughts. Typically, taste and flavor aren’t well recognized or remembered, as everything is eaten fast, with no understanding of what goes in. Such an eating disorder leads to the accumulation of fat, mainly in the lower abdominal area, which will just deepen stress. 

How to fight it?

Self-control and physical exercises. Unless there is self-control over food portions, there will be no result in the numbers of the scales. Physical exercises will also help to create a calorie deficit and make a noticeable muscular layer for your body. Besides, working out is one of the best ways to get rid of stress, as it helios to improve self-esteem and increase the level of confidence.

Sexual Dysfunctional Problems

Sexual dysfunction is often related to old age, yet it got much younger, hitting even young men. According to nowgreenhealth24x7.com, approximately 22% of Sildenafil (commonly recognized as Viagra or Revatio) buyers are young people aged 20-40 years old. Yet, despite being quite a common problem resulting from stress, men keep silent about such things fearing losing their dignity. It leads to the deterioration of relationships, which leads to even more problems.
How to fight it?

Sexual dysfunction should be treated by a complex approach: the usage of Sildenafil, physical exercise to improve the level of testosterone, and psychological guidance for facing and working on the stress triggers.

Gastroenterological Problems With Various Genesis

Bloating, cramps, extreme hunger, lack of appetite – all the states that differ from typical functioning.

How to fight it?

First and foremost, visit the doctor to eliminate the risk of serious diseases and get proper treatment. It is not recommended to look for personal stories online, try to find similar ones, and follow a treatment routine. Only a doctor can see the big picture a give proper help.

Dermatological Problems

Psoriasis, eczema, acne, and hair loss – a short list of skin problems that can be caused by stress.

How to fight it?

Don’t try to cure the outer part without proper examination of the inner systems. Your skin just demonstrates that something is wrong, and yet again, consult a doctor, as the internet forums are just about wild guessing, and rarely bring positive results.

This is not the whole list of physical problems caused by stress, yet they launch a whole bunch of other ailments. As a rule, we start treating visible issues, yet to no avail, as the real core of problems is hiding inside.

Mental Health Problems

Signs: anxiety, mood swings, tearfulness, insecurity, loss of concentration, forgetfulness.

How to fight it?

• Admit the fact that you have issues;
• Start talking – it is the best way to let out the pain and make the problem visible, outlining its existence.
• If you feel that you cannot fight on your own, ask for help – schedule sessions with a psychologist. Don’t torture yourself with self-stigmatization, there is nothing to be ashamed of. The longer you conceal such a condition, the longer the battle will be.
• Get distracted – people who bring diversity to their life are likely to manage stress and depression faster and more successfully. If you follow a work-home-work routine 24/7 with no chances to loosen the tension, you will not escape the vicious cycle. Plan a one-day-outing a week, to any place that you want. Dedicate the evening to new activities or hobbies. Just one or two hours will make a major difference in the perception of life.
• Explore the area – start walking more, movement helps to get rid of nagging thoughts. You can just stroll aimlessly, or set tiny goals like feeding the squirrels or cats in the park or checking up on a new supermarket to buy bread for sandwiches. Such activity will help to heal your soul, and even improve your physical shape, as walking is a perfect example of low-impact cardio.

Why Is It Difficult For Men To Express Their Stress?  

Expressing stress can be challenging for anyone, regardless of gender, but societal norms and expectations often make it particularly difficult for men to openly acknowledge and communicate their struggles. Here’s a closer look at why this is the case:  

1. Cultural Expectations of Masculinity:  

From a young age, boys are socialized to embody traditional masculine traits such as strength, stoicism, and emotional restraint. They are often taught to suppress vulnerability, fear, and sadness, and instead, to project an image of toughness and invulnerability. As a result, many men feel pressure to conform to these rigid gender norms and may perceive expressing stress or seeking help as a sign of weakness or failure.  

2. Fear of Stigma and Judgment:  

Men may fear being perceived as weak or inadequate if they admit to experiencing stress or mental health challenges. There is still significant stigma surrounding mental health issues, and men may worry about how others will perceive them if they disclose their struggles. This fear of judgment or rejection can lead to silence and isolation, as men may hesitate to reach out for support or share their feelings with others.  

3. Lack of Emotional Vocabulary:  

Compared to women, men may have fewer opportunities to develop and express a wide range of emotions. Boys are often socialized to suppress emotions such as sadness, fear, or anxiety, which can result in a limited emotional vocabulary and difficulty identifying and articulating their feelings. Without the language to describe their experiences, men may struggle to express stress or seek help effectively. 

4. Socialization Around Problem-Solving:  

Men are often encouraged to approach challenges in a practical and solution-focused manner. While problem-solving skills can be beneficial, they may inadvertently reinforce the idea that expressing emotions is unnecessary or unproductive. Men may feel pressure to “tough it out” and find solutions to their stressors independently, rather than acknowledging and processing their emotions. 

5. Fear of Vulnerability:  

Vulnerability is often perceived as a weakness in many cultures, and men may be particularly reluctant to show vulnerability or ask for help. Opening up about stress or struggles requires a level of vulnerability that can feel uncomfortable or threatening, especially if it contradicts societal expectations of masculinity. Men may worry about losing control, appearing incompetent, or burdening others with their problems.  

6. Limited Support Networks:  

Men may also face challenges in accessing supportive relationships and resources for managing stress. Research suggests that men are less likely than women to seek professional help for mental health issues and may rely more heavily on informal support networks, such as friends or family. However, if men feel unable to discuss their stressors with these networks, they may lack the support they need to cope effectively. 

in addition, societal norms, cultural expectations, fear of stigma, limited emotional vocabulary, emphasis on problem-solving, fear of vulnerability, and challenges in accessing support networks all contribute to the difficulty men face in expressing stress.  

Addressing these barriers requires promoting a more inclusive and accepting definition of masculinity, fostering open dialogue around mental health, providing education on emotional literacy, and expanding access to mental health resources tailored to men’s unique needs.

Conclusion

Stress is a reaction of our body to triggers. When it appears for a short time, it can give us the courage to overcome an obstacle, yet, when accumulated it can lead to a variety of long-term health problems.

Our hectic and demanding world loads us down with stress despite sex or age. Sadly, men’s stress is often unarticulated, being a sign of weakness. Such an absurdity makes them conceal the problem, which aggravates the problem. Stress needs to be seen, felt, admitted, and dealt with. Depending on the depth of it, you may need specialized help and loyalty from a close circle of people.

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