In today’s world it is important to understand that constant stress poisons testosterone. What you think about constantly affects the biochemical processes in you. So, it’s vital to learn how to manage your feelings – not to let them dominate you.
The key points:
- Chronic stress is against testosterone;
- Testosterone is against chronic stress.
Men usually only find out that they are under chronic stress when they get seriously ill. Stress in men often manifests itself as hostility and irritability, not only as depression.
Learn to recognize what chronic stress does to your body
Stress hormones. Imagine being asked to give a speech right now in front of a large audience. You will instantly feel the action of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals are useful in short-term situations, such as speaking, running for cover or being directly in a critical situation. Whenever your body feels threatened, it throws out hormones that help you overcome it.
Unfortunately, if you feel threatened for a long time (you are dealing with financial, marital, work or family problems), these stress hormones do not cease to work.
Constant emotional stress has chemical effects on your body, one of which is continuous production of cortisol, which neutralizes testosterone.
The physical effects of stress
Chronic stress is a universal evil that contributes to all other pathological conditions. For example, stress increases joint pain, heartburn, skin rash, shortness of breath in asthma, migraine headaches, problems with childbirth, etc. Blood pressure rises, blood vessels strain, your heart beats faster, breathing becomes superficial, supplying less oxygen.
Blood sugar and fat levels are increasing, which is released from the liver depot. The blood supply to the brain and muscles is increased so that you can “run away or stay to fight”. Blood supply to the internal organs is reduced, including the testicles and penis. Blood clotting is increased. The amount of semen is reduced. The quality of orgasms decreases.
Most of the 700 muscles in the body are stressed, which leads to pain. You easily get tired. Your appetite is reduced. You become restless, feeling trapped. You develop mouth expressions (because your immune system is weakened). You have trouble sleeping. The risk of heart attacks increases dramatically.
Emotional consequences of stress
Testosterone has to cope with all the negative consequences of stress. When the level of testosterone does not meet the norm, there is interest in things you used to enjoy. You become emotionally withdrawn and distant, unwilling to communicate with your loved ones. You are easily irritable. You become sarcastic and cynical. You feel a constant anxiety. You become unreasonably irritable and feel on the verge of breakdown. It is difficult for you to concentrate. You have too many unwanted thoughts. You feel that you are constantly behind schedule. You lose confidence in yourself. You lose the desire to have sex. You become hostile.
The physical and emotional effects of stress depend on each other
It is important to understand that the physical consequences of stress can cause emotional, and vice versa. You can use this in your best interest to relieve stress. The mind can dominate the body, and the body can dominate the mind.
Apply rapid stress control techniques
They will help to cope with stress in a few minutes. The use of these techniques will give significant results if you follow the instructions regularly for a long time. Then you will achieve a more stable relaxation.
Be detached. Close your eyes and leave everything you do, movements and even any thoughts. Turn off your vigilance – your excessive concern with problems. Breathe deeply, holding your breath for 1 or 2 seconds. For this time, throw away all the problems, worries and thoughts, nothing should distract you.
Once you start practicing this technique, you will notice that many of the physical abnormalities brought by stress have disappeared – blood pressure, decreased muscle tension, heart activity has improved. Disabling thoughts clears and soothes the mind.
Breathe deeply. Breathe as deep as possible with long, slow breathing movements, 5-12 times. Breathe as deep as possible. For more complete breathing, breathe with your full chest.
Breathing is regulated by the nervous system, along with blood pressure and heart rate. Conscious deep and slow breathing is like talking to your nervous system. This reduces the body’s speed.
Tighten your chin. Make a “turtle”: lift your chin as much as possible, as the turtle pulls its head into the shell. Hold this position for a few seconds. Repeat this 5-12 times.
This is a wonderful simple exercise that helps to relieve the muscle tension that builds up in the neck and upper shoulder belt. It is especially useful for men who spend a lot of time sitting at the table, hunched in one position.
Move your shoulders. Make circular movements with the shoulders of the maximum amplitude. Repeat 5-12 times. Repeat the exercise in the opposite direction, making circular movements with the maximum amplitude. This simple exercise helps relieve the muscle tension that builds up in the neck, arms and upper shoulder belt. Anyone working at the table in the same position and slouching should do this exercise a couple of times a day.
Walking. Walk in a circle. Walking will help you get rid of unnecessary energy and anxiety. Walking distracts the brain from thinking about urgent problems.
Stop your anger. Instead of responding to stimuli, learn to concentrate your anger only in your right hand (even if you are left-handed). By allowing tension to move into your hand, you don’t suppress the anger that leads to negative consequences. The output of the negative energy is quiet, and most importantly, it is not visible.
However, it is important to use your right hand because it is on the opposite side of your heart. If you use your left hand, some of the tension will be transferred to the heart system.