Page 23 - Mangwanani Magazine - June2017
P. 23
MEN'S HEALTH MONTH
here are different ways in which stress can affect you. In some
cases it can be useful if it pushes you to do better, gets your
adrenaline going and your blood running, but long term affects on
your health can be damaging.
Below are the ways that stress affects men’s health:
EATING YOUR FEELINGS ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
High stress levels can make men feel very
drained and has the power to affect their Temporary erectile dysfunction is linked to
lifestyle in a negative manner. psychological factors which includes having
Especially when it comes to a high demanding high stress levels.
job, men can find themselves skipping meals.
So when they do get to eat, they consume more For men to be aroused, the parasympathetic
calories by eating more than they would nervous system is vital, but when we are
normally. stressed we tend to work from the sympathetic
Often with stress eating you tend to put on nervous system also known as ‘fight or flight’.
weight quicker and it’s harder to lose the weight
afterwards. Men with higher stress levels either suffer from
SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL the problem that they can’t get an erection due
With stress comes high risk of suffering from to not establishing the parasympathetic tone, or
panic attacks and getting anxiety especially they get an erection but can’t control the
when placed in a social environment. transition from parasympathetic to sympathetic,
This tendency towards isolation can risk a resulting in a very quick erection.
person developing a serious case of mental
disorder especially depression. LOWER SPERM LEVELS
DECREASED FACIAL ATTRACTIVENESS
The male hormone Testosterone has a hand in Stress or high anxiety levels can play a vital part
giving men stronger immune systems and facial in a man’s fertility. Men who are stressed tend to
attractiveness. Men with higher stress levels ejaculate less and have a lower sperm count
develop an increased amount of a hormone and concentration than those who are not under
called Cortisol which tends to block the stress.
development of Testosterone.
The importance of Testosterone is very Stress is also positively correlated with
significant amongst men as it gives them both deformed and less mobile sperm.
confidence and that physical appeal to attract
potential dates. By not having that good amount How men can avoid stress:
of Testosterone rush, most men seem boring, Ÿ Therapeutic talks: let it out and talk about
run down and tired which visibly shows on their
face. your feelings and emotions, don’t keep them
bottled up.
Ÿ Don’t isolate yourself, be around people that
love you and have social outings with the
guys.
Ÿ Engage in physical exercise: this is a great
stress reliever, as exercise lets you challenge
yourself and make you feel better about
yourself.
Ÿ Pursue a mind-soothing hobby that takes
your thoughts away from stress and anxiety
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