By Heather Hatfield
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD
When men get stressed, their natural response leans toward flight or fight. Do they turn tail and run or stick around and gut it out?
When women get stressed, the theory is they either tend or befriend -- that is, nurture those around them or reach out to others.
Men and women clearly react to stress differently. So when it comes time to decompress, their ways of unwinding differ as well.
" Managing stress is often different by sex," says Carl Pickhardt, PhD, a psychologist and author of The Everything Parent's Guide to Positive Discipline. "Women often seek support to talk out the emotional experience, to process what is happening and what might be done. Men often seek a companionship activity to get relief from stress, to create a relaxing diversion or escape."
Whether it's a support group or a compassionate friend, a round of golf or a run in the park, experts give WebMD practical tips for both sexes on how to unwind when stress strikes.
When women get stressed, the theory is they either tend or befriend -- that is, nurture those around them or reach out to others.
Men and women clearly react to stress differently. So when it comes time to decompress, their ways of unwinding differ as well.
" Managing stress is often different by sex," says Carl Pickhardt, PhD, a psychologist and author of The Everything Parent's Guide to Positive Discipline. "Women often seek support to talk out the emotional experience, to process what is happening and what might be done. Men often seek a companionship activity to get relief from stress, to create a relaxing diversion or escape."
Whether it's a support group or a compassionate friend, a round of golf or a run in the park, experts give WebMD practical tips for both sexes on how to unwind when stress strikes.
