By Dr. David Samadi

Every man will experience stress. And we all know that the pressure of everyday life never completely goes away. It's inevitable, always present in small or sometimes large doses, but always there. During our lifetime, stress can be considered good, like seeing the birth of your child or going on a first date. But then there are the not-so-good stresses of life: having an argument with your partner or getting stuck in traffic.

Everyone responds to stress in their own unique way, but if stress is always lurking in the background, like a dark cloud casting its shadow over your life, it can start to take a toll on your health. For example, those persistent headaches, insomnia, or reduced productivity at work could be due to a buildup of stress manifesting itself.

Why might men experience stress differently than women?

Both men and women experience stress, and women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with a mental health problem. But consider that men only make about two-thirds of the doctor visits that women do. When a man goes to the doctor, he is often reluctant to talk about what is actually going on, especially if it involves feelings or mood. Therefore, men may not make the connection that the reason for their chronic pain or digestive issues could be stress.

There is also the problem of men who know they have a problem, but choose to remain silent, enduring the suffering without confiding in anyone. Men often think that if they are open and honest about their feelings, they will be perceived as weak or they might lose their job.

Common effects of stress.

When a man ignores the symptoms of stress, he may not realize its effect on his body. Stress symptoms can affect your body, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. If stress is left unchecked, it can lead to many health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Here are some common effects of how stress can affect men:

• Headaches
• Muscle tension or pain
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Change in sexual desire
• Upset stomach
• Trouble sleeping

How stress can affect a man's mood:

• Anxiety
• Concern
• Lack of motivation or concentration
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Irritability or anger
• Sadness or depression

How stress can affect a man's behavior:

• Eating too much or too little
• Outbursts of anger
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Social retreat
• Exercise less frequently

Healthy ways for men to deal with stress.

Unfortunately, there is no way to eliminate stress from life. But, a man can pay attention to what causes him stress and develop healthy ways to cope with it. The following are ways a man can help reduce stress in his life. The more he practices it regularly, the better he will feel and the more he will be able to enjoy his life to the fullest:

Exercise. Aerobic exercise is particularly good for men as it increases heart rate, and studies show it can reduce stress by up to 50%.

Take time to relax. Every man should have some downtime every day, even if it's just 10 to 15 minutes. Go for a walk, listen to music, or just sit and read.

Choose healthy foods. Good nutrition can help a man manage his physical and mental health. Fueling the body with healthy foods can keep a man feeling and looking his best.

Have fun. Men need to include more fun in their lives. This can be going to the movies, playing a sport, hanging out with friends, or any low-stress, high-fun activity.

Get enough rest. Adult men require at least 6 hours of sleep each night, preferably 7-8 hours.

Avoid too much caffeine. Yes, coffee is good for us. However, more than three cups a day or any other caffeinated beverage (tea, energy drinks, soda) can make a man too nervous and anxious.

Quit smoking. Every man knows that smoking is a bad habit (or at least
should know this). Stress and smoking are a bad combination that can lead to conditions of
dangerous health in the future, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or increased
of lung cancer risk. Men should talk to their health care providers
on how to quit smoking.

Avoid self-medication. Abuse of legal or prescription drugs, and consume more than seven drinks
alcoholic drinks per week will harm a man more than it will benefit him by damaging his
health and increase their stress levels even further.

Spend less time worrying about things you can't control. There are certain things we can't control, like the weather or other people's driving habits. Also, we can't do anything about things that may have happened in the past. Instead, spend time planning for the future.

Talk to someone. This can be the hardest thing for some men. However, confiding in a trusted spouse or friend, who is not judgmental of your thoughts or feelings, is a gift. An ally is extremely important in releasing pent-up tension, greatly reducing stress levels.

Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital on Long Island. He is a renowned and successful board-certified robotic-surgical urologic oncologist in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the US, with extensive experience in prostate cancer treatment and robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor for NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s guide to men’s health and wellness, available online at both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Please visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.