The topic of stress isn’t something men sit around and talk about. Let’s be honest here for a second, you will not watch a game of football with your buddies and then whine about how stressful your job is. The same is true when you’re feeling stressed out from problems in your marriage or relationship. For a number of societal norms and cultural reasons, men just don’t process emotions and feelings in the same way that women do.

men and stress

Men, Hormones, and Stress

Women and men deal with stress using a variety of methods. Research suggests that the response of men to stress is linked to hormones – epinephrine, cortisol, and oxytocin. Men release less oxytocin in the body compared to women. This is a big deal as this hormone helps regulate emotions.

Men, Triggers, and Stress

A lot of experts in health and men’s counseling explore the events and activities that trigger stress. To give you an example, you may notice that your commute going to work every single day results in frustration. In turn, you are anxious, a bit irritable, and short-tempered. Does this sound familiar to you?

Emotional and Physical Toll of Stress

Over time, the stress you are experiencing daily accumulates and starts taking its toll not just on your emotional health, but physical-wise as well. If you’re a guy and you’re struggling with constipation or irritable bowel movement, then you know what we’re talking about.

And because men have unhealthy ways of coping with emotional stress, the angry outbursts, stress eating, and drinking will lead to the classic shutdown mode or withdrawal. Stress can even cause erectile dysfunction, making men use male enhancement pills.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be like this forever.

There are things you can do which will help you reduce the stress in your life. You’ll also be able to make changes to some of your unhealthy habits and destructive behaviors.

Below we have listed the best relaxation tips and tricks which will help you have a more mindful approach to coping with stress.

Simple Ways to Relieve Stress

Simple Ways to Relieve Stress

  1. Get Outside – More than 50% of the country’s population resides in urban areas. According to a Stanford University research, it’ll rise up to 70% by 2050. The problem with this is that urbanization is linked with a higher chance of developing mental illness. However, nature can help greatly. The participants of the study who went for a walk through an environment full of trees have reported a lower level of rumination compared to those who strolled through a cityscape. Make sure that you set aside some time to think and do your favorite activities like biking or hiking. You must like the activity, of course, because this way you will be more inclined to do it more frequently.
  2. Set Boundaries – Usually men experience more stress when they are at home compared to when they are at work. Multitasking is the culprit. Because work barges into your life even when you are already at the comforts of your home, it has hindered you from doing your job efficiently. The best way to ward off the stress you are feeling is by keeping your work inside the office.
  3. Hit the Gym – A study from the Public Health School of Maryland University found that exercising regularly helps in being better at managing stressful situations. The researchers who conducted the study asked a group of students to sit through 3 separate rest sessions. Another group participated in 3 separate routines of modern exercise. Once they completed the tasks, both groups were then asked to view 90 photos including highly arousing images, neutral images, and unpleasant photographs. The researchers found out that the group of exercisers was less anxious after viewing the unpleasant photos. This is because exercise works like a buffer to your responses to emotional experiences. However, don’t use steroids. Steroids will lower your sperm count and you will then need to use semen volume pills to fix the problem.
  4. Take Time Off – People who take vacations have reported having less stress, an increased sex drive, more energy, increased happiness, better productivity, and better health. We understand that you may consider a vacation as a luxury. However, it is a must for your health and happiness, especially now that we are living in a stressful world. It’s important for you to know that around 80% of the couples who go on vacation say that romance is still alive and overflowing in their relationship.
  5. Chew Gum – In a study that was carried out by Swinburne University researchers, people who chew gum while doing a series of tasks and under taxing conditions experienced reduced anxiety and stress, an increase in performance and alertness, and lower cortisol levels. Another study published in Physiology and Behavior Journal also found that chewing gum alleviates a negative mood, resulting in a contentment and calmness boost. The researchers say that the underlying mechanisms that are behind the effects mentioned are still unknown up to this day. However, they think that when you chew gum, you are improving the blood flow in your brain and that has an influence on your emotions.
  6. Sleep Right – There are times when you scramble to meet deadlines or stay up all night partying. You may think that being edgy and groggy the next day won’t have a long-term effect, but not having ample sleep at night ups your odds of developing an anxiety disorder. Regions within your brain which contribute to anxiety and excessive worrying if you don’t get enough rest.
  7. Take Deep Breaths – Breath control helps you calm your body. Deep slow and controlled breathing from your diaphragm can fight most physiological symptoms that you’ll experience when you are stressed. By taking control of your breath, you will feel immensely better. Experts suggest lying or sitting comfortably. Close your eyes and inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. During stressful periods, take three full breaths and you’ll instantly be filled with more energy.

Final Thoughts

In this article we showed you that it is possible to handle stress “smarter” and “better”. Just follow the tips we have mentioned above and you’ll lead a healthier, happier life free of stress.

About The Author:

Richard Knowdell is an expert, writer, and speaker on counseling, public health, and hygiene. His work and articles, which are often published in Penetric.com, have received a lot of praise from well-known personalities including Nick Stone, Kay Hooper, James Patterson, and Sandra Brown.

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