Men’s Health and Stress

Men’s Health and Stress

In today’s day and age, stress seems to be a part and parcel of life. However, the way we manage stress differs between women and men. And while both genders experience stress symptoms, there are a few of them that are more common among men or even exclusively experienced by them.
 
This ‘Movember’, let’s explore the connection between men’s health and the common manifestations of stress among men, health-wise, by diving into three common effects:

1.Chronic Pain

Stress can also have an impact on the body’s physical state. Its effects can also move through the “tension triangle” – the head, jaw, and neck – causing soreness, pain, or tightness. It can also cause tension headaches, and spasms and knots in the shoulders and neck.

In time, stress tends to lower one’s threshold of tolerance to pain. To that end, stress has been linked to an increased sensitivity to pain. Living in this chronic state of pain can also in turn, increase your anxiety and stress, thereby creating a vicious cycle.

 2.Cardiovascular Disease

Stress is a significant contributor to heart health issues in men. A high stress life can increase cholesterol, blood pressure and chronic and result in inflammation of the coronary arteries.

These heart problems can be aggravated due to problems with emotional regulation as they spike stress hormones in the body. As studies indicate, this can, in turn restrict blood flow to the heart with some of the damage being almost immediate after the outburst. Plus, stress also disrupts your sleep cycle, decreasing productivity and attention span

3.Prostate Cancer

A lesser known but perhaps most important detrimental effect of stress are the urological problems that can manifest in men.
 
Studies indicate that the impact of stress on the nerves might promote the growth and spreading of tumours and increase the risk of prostate cancer.
 
The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) plays a key role in relaxing the body, whereas the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) regulates the flight-or-fight response in stressful situations. When stress hormones spike, they can promote the growth and spread of tumours in the human body.

Take control of your mental and physical health

Managing stress requires intentional action and making healthy lifestyle changes. Regular exercise and a good diet can go a long way in terms of improving your quality of life. Seeking professional help is always advised if you are concerned about your symptoms.
 
Stress may be unavoidable, but it does not have to dictate your life and health. That’s why it’s crucial to get a conversation around men’s mental and physical health started.