—
As men, we have to learn to deal with as much as stress as possible. To do otherwise would be showing weakness. How much stress we can handle proves to the world how manly we are.
Both those statements are pure crap and why so many of our brethren work themselves through a divorce, heart attacks and whatever other surprises life has to throw our way, in order to be successful.
I’m here to debunk that myth and let you know that the real man isn’t the one who can carry enormous amounts of stress and somehow survive. The true man is the man who knows that stress kills so he finds any way he can to avoid it in his life and keep his life as stress-free and drama free as possible.
Being high functioning autistic with depression and severe social anxiety disorder along with it isn’t great for the ‘ol stress factor.
To me, what would be a slight bit of stress for someone may seem like a train coming my way. Take these past few days for example.
Routine is very important for those of us on the spectrum. Get us out of our routine and the panic begins to set in because everything is not as it should be in our lives. We/I freak out at the slightest thing because we have everything planned in our mind.
But things come up. It’s a part of life and a part that as much as I want to, I can’t seem to deal with.
Besides my work for Good Men Project, I have another major editing project due Monday. I figured out a schedule to work on both and get them done with little to no stress.
I figured. That was my first mistake.
Things pop up that need attention and will take time from my planned schedule and suddenly I flip. No longer do I have things under control. I’m no longer calm and confident that these projects will be finished on time and so far it hasn’t mattered what I do, nothing works.
I can lay down for a few and listen to music, but that’s only a temporary fix. I need a more permanent solution that doesn’t involve me being drugged up until I’m a shell of my real self.
That’s the thing with stress. It never really goes away. It stays there, creeping in the shadows and waiting for a chance to pounce and take you off your game.
I’ve tried meditation (can’t seem to focus) and aromatherapy (love the smells, but they don’t take away the stress). There have to be other ways to handle this long term and on a daily basis, yet for me, I can’t figure out why or how.
I’m sure my lack of self-esteem has something to do with this all, but that’s another post for another day.
Right here. Right now. The question I have for all of you out there reading this is, HOW? How do we keep stress from taking over our lives whether on or off the spectrum?
I’ve listed a few ideas, but I’m still looking for the one that will help me. So far the best I can do is put on the following song, lay down and do my best to get myself back on an even keel.
What do you do to combat stress? Is there a cheat you want to share with us? We desperately want to know!
—
RSVP for Mental Wellness Calls
—
Join the Mental Wellness FACEBOOK GROUP here.
—
Talk to you soon.
If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project and want to join our calls on a regular basis, please join us as a Premium Member, today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.
A $50 annual membership gives you an all-access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class, and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group, and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.
Register New Account
Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
***
Want to contribute to The Good Men Project? Submit here:
—
Photo courtesy Unsplash