The Resilience Advantage: Prioritising Men’s Health in the Workplace
Men’s Hidden Strength: Why Resilience Is the Key to Men’s Health at Work
June is Men’s Health Month, a timely reminder for employers to pause and consider how they’re supporting male employees — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too. With stress-related illness, burnout, and presenteeism on the rise, workplace well-being strategies must evolve to better meet the needs of male staff at every level.
Recent data from Mental Health UK found that 1 in 3 men say work stress has negatively affected their mental health, yet fewer than 1 in 5 feel able to speak up about it. And while men are statistically less likely to seek help, they are significantly more likely to suffer in silence — which can lead to long-term impacts on performance, relationships, and physical health.
In parallel, the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report places resilience, flexibility, and agility as the second most important professional skill for the future of work — right after analytical thinking. These aren't just buzzwords — they’re essential capabilities for navigating rapid change, ambiguity, and pressure.
The good news? Many men already possess these skills — they just haven’t always been encouraged to apply them to their own health.
Whether it’s managing increasing workloads, balancing family responsibilities, or maintaining performance under pressure, men routinely show up with quiet resilience. But sustainable resilience isn’t about powering through. It’s about having the right tools, support, and self-awareness to respond rather than react.
So how can organisations empower their male teams to manage stress more effectively?
1. Encourage Movement as a Performance Tool
Physical activity isn’t just about fitness — it’s a proven stress regulator. Even short bursts of movement improve focus, reduce cortisol, and enhance cognitive function. Whether it's active breaks, walking meetings, or workplace wellness challenges, movement boosts both morale and mental clarity.
2. Prioritise Nutrition for Mental Health
Blood sugar imbalances and poor nutrition can exacerbate anxiety and fatigue. Encouraging balanced eating habits — like protein-rich meals, reduced processed snacks, and hydration — plays a key role in mental resilience and energy regulation.
3. Normalise Meaningful Conversations
Outdated assumptions that men don’t talk about emotions are being dismantled. Still, workplace culture plays a big role. Creating psychologically safe environments where men feel able to speak up — whether via line managers, peer networks, or external support — is crucial.
4. Champion Sleep as a Performance Strategy
Lack of sleep affects everything from decision-making to emotional regulation. Educating teams on the value of rest — and providing practical ways to improve it — is an investment in performance, not a luxury.
5. Promote Reflection, Not Just Reaction
Training male staff to pause, reflect, and regulate their stress response can drive better outcomes at work and home. This doesn’t have to mean mindfulness apps — it can be as simple as a structured check-in or guided reflection tool.
Why Health Coaching Works
One of the most effective — and underused — tools in workplace well-being is health coaching. Working with a qualified coach offers men the opportunity to assess their current habits, receive tailored advice, and build the confidence to make changes that last. Whether it's addressing chronic stress, poor sleep, low energy, or lack of motivation, a coach provides clear strategies and accountability — turning resilience from theory into practice.
This Men’s Health Month, it’s time to go beyond the awareness poster.
Support the men in your organisation not just to survive the modern workplace — but to thrive in it. Resilience isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a business asset. And with the right approach, it’s one your people can develop and apply every day.