Men & Stress

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

10 May 2006 07:28 AM

It's been discussed many, many times. Men and women are different. We know this. You may be thinking that's rather obvious, I would respond that it is - and it isn't - always obvious. First and foremost, men and women have different biological mechanisms and hormones. They possess different outlooks on life. Men and women are often exposed to different societal contexts.

As a society, we nurture the emotional reactions, personality traits and yes - the differences - between the two genders. However, stress is a physiological reaction to change that occurs in every day life. Hard to think that stress is reactive but that's exactly what it is.

Where stress is concerned, the majority of men seem to experience the type that is directly related to their identity. When asked who he is, the majority of men will answer:

• I am a salesman.
• I am a trainer.
• I am a plumber.
• I am a teacher.
• I am a writer.
• I am an accountant.
• I am a systems administrator.

Men have been conditioned from birth to keep their insecurities and emotions internalized. They are advised to tough it out. They are taught to be a man. Because men are not allowed to vent their emotions, it makes exercise and fitness even more vital.

When men exercise regularly, they burn off excess energy that stress generates. When the body doesn't burn off this excess energy, it can be left with damage to the stomach, heart, lungs and other vital organs.

The best stress reducer is physical exercise. It gives men the feeling of taking care of it and toughing it out while dealing with their stress in a very positive manner. Those two feelings are extremely important for the masculine image.

Maintaining mental and physical fitness means coping with stress in positive manners. Exercise is just one way that men can make a difference in their lives and the lives of their family members. Remember, when you are happy, your family will be happier.

The following stress reducers allow you to take control of the situation and still take it like a man and tackle problems on your terms.

• Exercise
• Avoid Drugs & Alcohol
• Get Plenty of Sleep
• Spend Time with the Family
• Prioritize and Use Time Management

Related Articles:

Jogging Your Way to a Healthy Body

Stress Relief With Aromatherapy

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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vkirkman (58) 10 May 2006 09:18 AM

It certainly has worked out that way for me. Not only has my overall health improved since I started exercising, but my family is enjoying the benefits of me not being tired, cranky and stressed out all the time.

workingdad (2084) 10 May 2006 09:18 AM

thanks for these, Heather! Men do experience stress and respond to it very differently, and they do need to address those issues or else continue to cut short their lifespans.

Heather Long (16954) 10 May 2006 06:37 PM

Thank you both! That's great to hear. It's taken me a few married years to really understand that men do think and feel differently. It's hard to put it into perspective sometimes, but I get it intellectually now even when I don't always understand it in my gut. And yes, you men really do need to find your outlets! As always thanks for commenting and reading. I'm glad I do hit the nail on the head sometimes.

workingdad (2084) 16 May 2006 10:22 PM

Heather -- i was thinking... as i recalled what my brother always says to his wife... "I die first.." and yes i suppose it's still true that most men go before their wives do... and i'm wondering if SOME guys like the idea that they go first!