Does it seem like stress has become chronic for you?
Stress is a frustrating companion for men and women.
However, when it comes to coping with stress, traditional gender roles have put men in a tricky situation.
Men may find themselves more likely to bottle their emotions or resort to risky behaviours, to deal with the mounting pressure.
You are not broken.
Using substances like alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and endlessly playing video games, watching pornography are coping mechanisms that lead to exacerbating emotional health issues. They may feel good in the short term, but the long term effects lead to more unease and discomfort.
You may feel it’s not worth taking care of yourself and the cycle is hard to break.
It makes sense to feel stressed about work, money, relationships but it doesn’t mean that there isn’t an opportunity to control how you react, in every moment.
You can be empowered to lead a fulfilling life and the old coping mechanisms won’t be as tempting.
It’s okay to find your own calming methods that are sustainable and a reflection of you.
If one doesn’t work you can try another. If you have a setback you can try again.
If you want to share with others what you are trying to do, that is up to you. You can keep it private but you can also keep it to yourself.
Alternate nostril breathing is something you can do anywhere without any equipment. And, you can do it quickly and easily.
You will be alternately closing one lovely nostril at a time and only breathing through the unclosed nostril.
Start:
Sitting gently in your chair.
Use your right thumb to close your right nostril
1.Inhale through your left nostril
Release your thumb from blocking your right nostril
Use your pointing finger to close your left nostril
Exhale out your right nostril
2.Inhale through your right nostril
Use your right thumb to close your right nostril
Exhale out your left nostril
3.Inhale through your left nostril
Use your pointing finger to close your left nostril
Exhale out your right nostril
4.Inhale through your right nostril
Use your right thumb to close your right nostril
Exhale out your left nostril
Release your left nostril
Breathe in, breathe out.
This method can be used whenever you want. It lowers blood pressure. Deep breathing and alternate-nostril breathing slow your heartbeat and lower your blood pressure
Many men find taking a bit of time to focus on balancing their nervous system helps them handle stress more effectively.
It’s exhausting trying to control your outside surroundings to feel calm so consider learning how to calm yourself. Your body, your nervous system, your brain and build your own foundation of taking care of yourself.
You can do as many rounds of alternate nostril breathing as you like.
Try to savor the feeling of calm you have created for yourself. It’s okay to remind yourself that you are doing your best and you can feel empowered to calm yourself no mater how tough a situation comes up.