5 Lies Men Tell Themselves About Stress and What To Try Instead

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS EXPERIENCING IMMEDIATE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS OR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, PLEASE CALL THE CRISIS HOTLINE NUMBER FOR THE COUNTY IN WHICH YOU’RE LOCATED.

Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties: 1.800.567.4673

Stress is part of life, but the way many men deal with it? That’s where things can go sideways. A lot of men are carrying quiet, constant stress without even realizing it. And worse, they may be telling themselves things that keep them stuck in it.

Here are 5 common lies men tell themselves about stress, and what to do instead.

LIE NUMBER 1:
“I’m Fine.”

*You’re not bleeding, you went to work, you made it through the day, so everything must be fine, right?*
**Why It’s A Lie:** Suppressing stress doesn’t make it disappear. It just builds under the surface, showing up in your sleep, your patience, or even your blood pressure.
**What To Try Instead:** Say, “I’m getting by, but it’s been a tough week.” That’s honesty, and honesty can help lift the weight.

LIE NUMBER 2:
“It’s not that bad.”

Many men compare their stress to that of others and talk themselves out of taking action by saying things like “…Steve’s got it way worse than I do,” or
“…at least I’m not in the hospital.”
**Why It’s A Lie:** Downplaying your stress can make you less likely to take the steps to deal with it.
**What To Try Instead:** Regardless of how insignificant it may seem compared to what’s going on with your buddies, treat even your small stress like a smoke alarm. Pay attention now, before it becomes a fire.

LIE NUMBER 3:
”I just need to push through.”

*This one might sound noble, like you’re a hard worker or a good dad.*
**Why It’s A Lie:** Stress that never gets addressed doesn’t go away. Instead, it can become burnout which hurts the people around you, too.
**What To Try Instead:** Take breaks, ask for help, and remember that being a human doesn’t make you less of a man.

LIE NUMBER 4:
”I don’t have time to deal with this.”

*Work, family, errands, everything feels urgent all the time.*
**Why It’s A Lie:** When stress builds up, your brain doesn’t function at full strength. If everything feels like it’s going a thousand miles per hour, it’s physically impossible for you to keep up.
**What To Try Instead:** Make 15 per day for yourself a personal unbreakable rule. Walk, breathe, or just sit in some quiet. Self-care adds up.

LIE NUMBER 5: “Talking about this won’t help.”

*If you think talking about it won’t solve your stress, you’re right, and wrong.*
**Why It’s A Lie:** Talking doesn’t erase stress, but it can help you process it. That can change how it affects you and those around you.
**What To Try Instead:** Talk to a buddy, or call us. We don’t offer judgment, just a helping hand and a space to pause, breathe, and start figuring things out.

If you’ve been carrying stress around like it’s just part of the job, you’re not alone. Maybe you’ve told yourself it’s not that bad, that you should just push through, or that there’s no time to deal with it. But if stress is starting to affect your sleep, your focus, your patience, or the way you show up for the people you care about, it’s probably time to do something different. Reaching out for help isn’t about being weak or broken. It’s about taking ownership of your mental health and deciding you’re ready for things to feel better. Whether it’s talking to someone one-on-one, joining a group, or exploring treatment options, there’s no shame in taking that first step. You don’t have to figure it out alone, and you don’t have to keep carrying this on your own.

Family Resource Center offers several services to help you through STRESS, ANXIETY, and depression:

TREATMENT SERVICES

Outpatient Counseling (All Ages)
You can meet one-on-one with a trained counselor to talk through what you're going through. These sessions are private and focused on helping you set and reach your goals, one step at a time.
Psychiatric and Medication Services (All Ages)
If you’re dealing with strong emotions or mental health symptoms, our psychiatric team can help. This might include talking with a doctor, trying medication, or finding other ways to help you feel better and function more easily day-to-day.
Group Support (All Ages)
We offer group sessions for youth, teens, families, and adults. Some are led by counselors, and others by people who’ve been through mental health or substance use challenges themselves and are now in recovery. If you’re interested in joining a group, give us a call and we’ll help you find one that fits you best.
Recovery
At Family Resource Center, we believe that people recover. We’re here to walk with you on that journey. While offer many programs and services, we more importantly offer real people who care, listen, and want to help you move toward a better future.
When you’re ready to take the next step, call us. We’ll help you find the support that’s right for you.

3 ways to enroll in STRESS and Anxiety Services

ONLINE SCREENING

Answer a few short questions to determine if you or someone you care about should connect with a behavioral health professional. This screening is completely anonymous and confidential.

Take an Online Screening

OPEN ACCESS HOURS

We have services available at in-person sites in Findlay and Lima. No appointment is needed during open access hours, just walk in, and get started.

Mon/Wed/Fri: 9:30 - 11:30 am

Tues/Thurs: 2:30 - 3:30 pm

Find a Location

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

To get connected with a counselor and enroll in services please call our call-center. They will walk you through the enrollment process and connect you with the right services and counselors.

Call Now

Anxiety, Stress, AngerDave CrosserJune 17, 2025