It’s an obvious answer that we all are subject to and sensitive to stress. Stress knows no boundaries, young and old, every ethnic group and gender, all struggle under its effects thereby impacting our mortality. We are all exposed to various stressors, some under our control and others not. However, the older male population in particular, is more vulnerable to stress which can contribute to shorter life spans.
Stress can be defined and characterized as pressure, tension, emotional, and mental strain usually from intense or demanding circumstances. When we think of stress we picture adversity, many times affecting all aspects of life. But stress can also be caused by good experiences too. Traveling, starting a new job, riding a rollercoaster, are all harmless enjoyments of life but since change and challenge is involved with each one, our stress responses are enacted.
Our sympathetic nervous system is fully capable of responding to danger, excitement, illness, survival, etc. It is termed the “fight or flight” response. Hormones and nerve chemicals are released to prepare us to react appropriately to the circumstances we are under. Bodily responses include: increases in our pulse rate, muscle tension, heart rate, and respiratory rate. These are all healthy normal responses meant for short-term durations.
What are the effects of stress on our bodies?
Problems occur when the stress response goes on too long, such as when the source of stress is constant, or if the response continues after the danger has subsided.
Chronic stress is when those same nerve chemicals meant for short bursts actually suppress functions not needed for immediate survival continue to be required. For example, immunity is lowered and digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems cease normal activity. Acute, or short, bouts of stress allows our bodies to experience relief from stress responses and bodily functions to return to normal.
Some people under sustained stress experience digestive symptoms, while others may have headaches, sleeplessness, depressed mood, anger and irritability. Types of stressors include: routine, negative change, or trauma. Over time, continued strain on your body from even routine stress may lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, anxiety disorder, and other illnesses.
Did you know…
Approximately 70% of factors which determine life expectancy in men are environmental and not genetic?
Men generally deal with stress differently.
"The essence of traditional masculinity is invulnerability," says Terrence Real, MSW, a psychotherapist in Newton, Mass.
Men do not like admitting vulnerabilities even though realizing a need for help can actually be a way of preventing stress. Men wait longer to go to a doctor than women do. Men tend to feel pressure to be in charge and control of things on a daily basis. They also tend to compartmentalize their stress perception and reaction showing up as diminished activity in brain areas responsible for empathy and emotional processing. Women tend to give themselves more leeway and are more apt to be forgiven if they throw up their hands and say, "Help, I can't handle it!" Men are more likely to let strong relationships wane with their age, while woman continue to pursue and strengthen their friendships of support and encouragement.
In the long run, there are many factors that, because of long-term patterns, result in more vulnerability to the effects of stress on the older male.
Ways to cope with stress:
Seek help from a qualified mental health care provider
Maintain proper health care
Ask for help from friends, family, and community or religious organizations to Reduce stress due to work burdens or family issues
Recognize signs of your body's response
Set priorities, say no to overloading your schedule
Exercise
Practice yoga, meditation, or tai chi
05 Feb 2015, 1:07 am
