Managing Stress: A Man’s Guide to Resilience and Taking Control

Stress is a word we hear all too often—whether it’s about our jobs, our relationships, or life itself. For some, it feels like stress is just a constant companion, always lurking around the corner. But here’s the thing: stress isn’t caused by your job, your partner, or even your responsibilities. Stress is a reaction. It’s how you respond to the pressure around you.

The truth is, stress arises when we can’t manage the pressure we’re under. It’s like juggling—imagine you’re juggling multiple balls, each representing a different part of your life: work, family, responsibilities, and other personal challenges. The more balls you try to juggle, the greater the pressure you put on yourself. It’s easy to drop them all if you’re not mindful of how much you’re carrying. You have to know your limit. If you can only juggle one or two balls, then that’s your optimal point. Stick to what you can handle, or the weight will start to get to you, affecting your physical and mental health.

This concept is like cooking with a pressure cooker. When the pressure rises too much, the cooker starts to whistle, signaling that it’s time to release the steam. This is your body’s warning that you’ve reached your limit. If you don’t release the pressure when it’s needed, it can lead to burnout—just like leaving that pressure cooker on too long and having it explode. You’re not meant to push past your limits without taking action. Recognise when the pressure is building, and act before it goes too far.

We’re not all the same when it comes to handling stress. Two men could be doing the same job, facing the same challenges, but one might handle the pressure better than the other. This doesn’t mean one is weaker or less capable; it just means that each of us has a different threshold for stress. Understanding this helps us take responsibility for our own wellbeing. We may not always be able to reduce the demands placed on us, but we can control how we respond to them.

Managing stress is about developing emotional resilience—the ability to adapt, bounce back, and manage pressure in a way that keeps us balanced. Resilience doesn’t come naturally. It’s something that takes practice. The key is in changing how we think, feel, and act in stressful situations. If we can reframe our responses and take proactive steps to protect our wellbeing, we’ll be able to handle life’s challenges with more strength and less strain.

Remember, you can’t always control what happens around you, but you can always control how you respond. Start today by recognising your limits, taking action when needed, and building your resilience. By doing this, you’ll create a more grounded, balanced, and fulfilling life.

If you're ready to start building your resilience and taking control of your stress, the Rewired for Men programme can guide you through it. Our sessions help men like you develop the tools needed to face life’s challenges with clarity, strength, and purpose. Don’t let stress control your life—take the first step toward a more resilient you.