7 Ways Men Can Help Prevent Stress
At some point in our lives, we all experience times of feeling stressed, under pressure or burnt out.
A low amount of stress can make us feel motivated and therefore can help achieve goals or tasks in our daily lives. Saying that, too much stress can make you feel anxious and affect your confidence and relationships with friends, colleagues, and partners.
Easy like a stress-free morning
Stress symptoms not only affect men mentally but also physically. The symptoms to look out for include, feeling overly tired, pains in the neck, back and chest, heartburn, feeling a constant worry or intense mood swings.
This can affect your sleeping habits and will create muscle tension from the motion of holding yourself – something you won’t even realise you’re doing.
So, how can we avoid the feeling of pressure and strain in our day-to-day lives? We’ve put together our top tips to consider to prevent stress. Check them out below and let us know if any have worked for you.
1. Get active
When you exercise, it is said that your body releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel happy and uplifted. Not only is it filling you with feel good endorphins, but it helps get rid of the chemicals that are making you feel anxious.
Whether you enjoy walking, running, a gentle bike ride round the park or a home workout, any movement will leave you feeling motivated to get through the demands of your day.
Comfort is key when you’re out on a brisk or lengthy stroll so ensure you’re dressed for the occasion. Go for a plain t-shirt, a cosy jumper and dark grey joggers and breathe in the fresh air.
2. Talk to someone
When you feel you are struggling, talking to family, friends, colleagues or even contacting a helpline can merit great advice to pull you through. Speaking out loud about how you are feeling is important; a problem shared is a problem halved.
The first hurdle is having the confidence to share your worries, though this is usually the most rewarding obstacle. Remember, you aren’t the first to experience these emotions and you won’t be the last. By finding someone with similar concerns can warrant a sense of relief.
3. Plan your days
If events or upcoming days leave you feeling stressed, make a to do list of what you will need to take or do to prepare for it. This can really help by clearing your head of what will feel like a million things and laying it out in a logical way.
You can even add methods of combating each scenario to prepare for situations you may feel stressed by. If you are worried a friend may be late, jot down that you will use the time waiting by grabbing a coffee or reading a book to avoid a sense of panic.
4. Manage your daily tasks
Whether they are work, home, or personal life tasks, it is normal to feel overwhelmed by them. A helpful tip to overcome this feeling is to break down each job into smaller parts to create a checklist of what you need to do to complete it.
Most importantly, do not forget to give yourself credit when you have completed it. If you’ve wanted a new outfit, pair of trainers or even a tasty treat to break up the diet, now is your time to claim it!
Whether it’s a straight jean or a skinny leg you prefer, there is no other way to wear a smile that in a shirt. Smartness is seamless when you apply a shirt to your outfit, despite how bold or neutral it is. A patterned shirt for a special occasion is always a good option when you want to feel good on the outside.
5. A positive mindset
Often this tip is usually brushed over and not taken seriously because of the looming feeling of ‘it won’t work’ or ‘it’s not worth it’, but we can assure you it is essential when thinking about the components of men and stress.
For so long your brain has taught itself thoughts and emotions that you will always feel stressed, or it will never go away. But that is not true.
Taking a couple of minutes out of your day to think about the good things in your life will encourage calmer thoughts. Jotting down three things you are thankful for will help you come to the realisation of what is truly important to you and your life.
6. Rest and relax
It is vital to take time to relax, to just chill or do something for yourself that makes you feel happy. This could be a hobby you enjoy doing that will take your mind away from your worry, catching up with friends, playing sport, watching TV, or even curled up on the sofa with your favourite takeaway.
All the stress symptoms you experience are messages from your body trying to tell you it needs a break, so make sure you listen to it. Sending your mind to another reality for a couple of hours will relax your thoughts. Let it wonder in the world of film by picking a Netflix show or series and get your feet up.
If you’re struggling with what to watch, don’t let the amount of options on Netflix stress you out further, check out our top picks for Netflix and see if we can help you make a great decision.
7. Sleep it off
Your body needs sleep for energy and motivation to get you through the day. Among the ages of 18-60 it is recommended that you need between seven to eight hours sleep, although our busy lives can often mean we miss bedtimes.
Having set dinner times and getting changed into some lounge wear can send signals to our brain that the day is closing in and prevent you from continuing to work. Shorts are ideal for lounging in as they allow room for air, topping you from getting hot and bothered.
A helpful tip to remind you of this is to set an alarm on your phone which alerts you when you need to start winding down for the evening. Try to focus on creating a realistic routine and don’t bring your phone to bed, resisting any blue lights or social streams that would usually keep you awake.
By listening to the body’s signals, you can begin to prioritise how to prevent stress. It is never an easy task but by jotting down a list of things you enjoy doing and making your way through them, a stress-free life will find its way to you.
If you need any further advice on how to prevent stress, don’t hesitate to contact a professional to seek guidance. Be easy on yourself and take time to recover by ensuring you put the time aside to follow this guide.
If you are looking for more inspiration, check out how our work from home essentials and conquer the daily grind from wherever your home-office may be!
