Reclaiming Vulnerability: How Emotional Expression Enhances Men's Health 

By Men's Health Clinic

We all know the importance of maintaining men’s mental and sexual health. You have to put in the work to care for it, especially if you want to establish healthy relationships in the future. Part of that self-care is properly expressing your emotions as a man.   

Men often deal with societal expectations that prevent them from diving into their sensitive sides as women can. Crying, for example, is a big taboo and is considered to be a show of weakness in their masculinity. Showing similar forms of “weakness” is often discouraged and ridiculed. Such toxic expectations can be detrimental to men’s health, leading to mental problems and even other physical problems like erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE).  

Reclaiming your “right” to be vulnerable as a man can help you foster emotional connection, self-awareness, and open communication that can positively impact your overall well-being. 

The Impact of Suppressed Emotions on Men's Health 

Anger is one emotion that is often substituted for sadness in males. Since society doesn’t find it acceptable for men to show sadness, men instead tend to show anger in moments of distress. This can often lead to domestic violence and other forms of self-destructive behaviours. These include substance abuse, impulsiveness, and self-harm. 

Higher levels of emotional suppression are linked to increased risk of suicide attempts, as published in the National Library for Medicine (NLM). According to published theories, individuals who contemplate suicide often possess a strong yearning to escape their own experience of intense negative emotions—seeking a state of emotional numbness and detachment. This state is believed to occur just before a heightened inclination to engage in suicidal behaviours. 

Chronic emotional suppression has also been associated with various physical health issues. These can include elevated stress levels, increased blood pressure, weakened immune system function, and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Suppressed emotions can manifest as chronic tension, contributing to muscle pain, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems. Most of these conditions relate to sexual dysfunctions like ED and PE. 

Understanding the Benefits of Emotional Expression 

Research shows that emotional expression can be beneficial in an instant. Crying has been shown to have an immediate soothing effect that helps relieve pain. Crying also has many other benefits like enhancing mood and releasing toxins in the body. 

For sexual health, the dynamic can be more direct. Sexual health, above all, encompasses emotional and social well-being.  

One’s emotions can weaken or strengthen feelings of sexual desire and ultimately affect sexual experiences. Expressing these emotions properly can be the difference between whether men coming across issues like ED and PE or not.  

If you’re open to emotional expression, you can not only find ways of improving your sexual encounters, but you’ll also have more ways of dealing with potential challenges. These sexual challenges may include communication barriers, performance anxiety, body image concerns, or difficulties in establishing intimacy and trust in a sexual relationship. 

By being open to emotional expression, men can effectively address these challenges. Expressing emotions such as vulnerability, trust, and affection can help build a stronger emotional connection, leading to more intimate and satisfying sexual experiences. 

Furthermore, emotional expression can help overcome performance anxiety by reducing pressure and fostering a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. It can also help individuals navigate body image concerns by promoting self-acceptance and creating a safe space for healing and growth. 

Various Ways Men Can Express their Emotions Effectively 

Don’t be afraid to cry in your safe zone 

Aside from enhancing mood and releasing toxins in the body, crying can aid in improving sleep, relieving stress, boosting mood, enhancing vision, and even stimulating the release of bacteria-fighting agents in the body. 

When you have the urge to cry, try to find a safe and comfortable space to freely express your emotions. This could be in the privacy of your home or among trusted family and friends who provide a supportive environment. 

Practice taking small emotional expressions 

Starting from small expressions is a great way of opening up to a wealth of different emotional expressions. This can help build your character in a positive direction.  

Start with small steps, such as acknowledging and verbalising your emotions. This will deepen your emotional awareness, contributing to personal growth and character development. 

Stop delaying gratification and live in the moment  

Not everything must be about building up to a new milestone in your life. Learning to appreciate the now and creating joyful moments for yourself and your loved ones (no matter how small) is also key to a healthier emotional wellbeing. Celebrating small moments might even have a bigger effect on you than the larger-than-life moments you're waiting for. 

Seek professional counselling and therapy 

For some individuals, seeking counselling and therapy is akin to admitting defeat or acknowledging a major flaw in themselves. That's why many people choose to keep it secret or avoid it altogether. But this avenue is arguably a crucial part of the process. Consulting with a specialist will allow you to learn and discover what you want or need to accomplish for you and your interpersonal relationships. Instead of just blindly going through different emotional exercises, your trusted counsellor can devise a plan to help you navigate your emotions in the best way possible. 

Conclusion 

Reclaiming your vulnerability as a man is not just a matter of losing out on new experiences, it also comes down to maintaining your health. Having the ability to process and let out negative emotions without being seen as weak can help you let go of fear, anxiety, and depression. 

As we approach the end of the year, it is a perfect time to embrace vulnerability and express emotions more openly. Remember, you are not alone on this journey. If you need support or guidance in addressing your mental, physical, and sexual health issues relating to your emotional health, don't hesitate to reach out to us at the Men’s Health Clinic (MHC) and book a consultation.

We are not just an ED or PE clinic. We tackle ED and PE comprehensively, thanks to our team of general practitioners, mental health experts, nutritionists, and relationship counsellors. Together, let's prioritise emotional health and create a more fulfilling and empowered future.