I don’t know about you, but as I man myself, we can be super stressed. Men are usually taught to not show emotions, pull up their bootstraps, and to just get it done. That works great in war, or during a crisis, however; it is very bad for your health in the long run. Chronic stress can lead to:
- Depression and anxiety
- Heart disease
- Pain of any kind
- Sleep problems
- Autoimmune diseases
- Digestive problems
- Weight problems
- Reproductive challenges
- Thinking and memory problems
Besides this, it can also lead to compulsions or even addictions such as overeating, overworking, porn and sex addiction, alcoholism and drug addiction etc. Have you noticed any of these signs? I often work with men who tell me that they are miserable at work, trying to be the best, and go the extra mile to please their bosses only to come home exhausted, not be present with their loved ones. They tell me that they just want to forget the day so they eat that extra helping of food, drink those extra drinks, and they can’t wait to go to sleep. The problem is that this isn’t making things better, it’s just a short-term relief for a larger issues. This is how addictions are started and this is where I see men get in even more trouble until the do something that leads to a crisis and they feel that they have no choice but to get some help.
However; it doesn’t have to be that way. Men, just like everyone else, need to lower the stress by identifying what the root of their stressors are. They are usually fears. Yes, I said it, fears. It could be the fear of failure, of the fear of not being good enough, or the fear of rejection or someone leaving them. This is very common and millions of people suffer from stress and anxiety, due to past or current fears every day. However; this is where working with an expert can help. This can often be done in the comfort and privacy of a therapist’s office. I often see men leave my office feeling like the elephant that was sitting on their chest was lifted off. Men do not need to be suicidal or mentally ill to seek a therapist help, and the earlier they address this, the earlier they can feel relief, learn some helpful coping skills and potentially problem solve some of their stressors. At the end this can lead to less depression, less anxiety and a chance to enjoy the their days more and the people and things that matter to them. My next blog will share 5 things men can do to reduce their stress.
Schedule Appointment, Call his Office at (980) 263-9608 or email us.
David Sanchez, LPC, LCAS, CSAT is a expert in working with men who are dealing with chronic stress, depression and addiction. His private practice is located in Charlotte, NC and he is also able to work with men via video conference technology.