10 Ways to Deal with Stress for Men's Health Month
June is National Men’s Health Month so let’s look at some research and information about something that men hate to admit we have: STRESS.
According to recent studies/articles from Everyday Health (source) and WebMD (source), stress has become a modern-day factor affecting the health of most men. The tension and emotional strain of everyday living has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, migraines, back pain, diabetes, cancer, and a weakened immune system.
As “average guys”, we might think we cope well with stress, but, do we? Here are some signs to allow you to recognize the symptoms of stress:
- Feeling tired
- Forgetfulness
- Inability to sleep
- Irritability
- Lack of motivation
- Loss of concentration
- Musculoskeletal aches and pains
- Recurring headaches
- “Coping” by drinking or using
So, now that we admit we may have an issue, here are 10 ways to deal with stress:
- Exercise regularly– this also improves overall health
- Eat and sleep well–good nutrition and 6-8 hours of sleep per night
- Meditate/pray– spend 15-20 minutes each day clearing your mind
- Solve the “cause” of your stress– deal with your problems in an attempt to eliminate them
- Avoid stressful situations– stress levels of men soar to 7x that of women in certain situations
- Accept things you can’t change– look for ways to enjoy uncontrollable circumstances
- Don’t take on more than you can handle– learn to say “no”, don’t over-schedule
- Think of the glass as “half full" – a negative outlook can turn small issues into large ones
- Tackle first things fist– prioritize tasks and avoid multitasking 1
- Savor your victories– celebrate before moving on
Often times, our outlook plays a huge factor in how we cope. Hopefully, following the guidelines above will help you put your stress into perspective and make life more enjoyable!
This post was written by Gary Gray, Physical Therapist and Director of West Texas Therapy.