These days, it doesn’t take much to feel stretched thin, especially for Black men. A scroll through the headlines or social media can spike stress levels fast. And while the world keeps spinning, the emotional load doesn’t always get a chance to be unpacked. For women, the weight of unpaid domestic labor and emotional caretaking often creates an imbalance. But surprisingly, they also tend to have stronger coping strategies.

Women are more likely to lean on their communities, talk it out, and seek comfort through connection. Men, meanwhile, are often conditioned to hold it in. A 2021 study from Him & Hers revealed that over 80% of men reported moderate to extreme stress. But the question remains: how are they dealing with it?

That silence has real consequences, not just for men’s health but for the people around them. So I asked the question directly: “How do you deal with overwhelm?”

Here’s how a few Black men say they manage when life feels like too much:

“I try to breathe and pick a direction, because overwhelm feels like being pulled in different directions at once, which looks on the outside like I’m frozen.”

— Justin, 35, Program Manager

“I’m really trying to not self-isolate when I feel overwhelm. Been practicing breathing, connecting with folks who feel like home, hugs go really far, so does a joint.”

— Rashid, 41, Artist

“Go for a walk or to the movies. Talk to my wife. Zone out playing video games. I try to fight against being silent and shutting down.”

—Reginald, 40, Photographer

“I disconnect and do things good for my body, my mind and my spirit. That could look like go to my fave gym, eat my favorite meal, watch a new movie and spend time talking shit with my favorite people.”

— Chernoh, 34, filmmaker

“When I feel overwhelmed, I do some rigorous exercise. Call a bad b**ch to join me for a puff and a laugh. Get right to micro-tasking progress. Not in that particular order.”

— Anwar, 41, Video Game Artist

“I meditate. Nothing too long, maybe 3-5 minutes just to block out the noise that overwhelmed me. Then, I make sure to remind myself that I’ve survived every bad day that’s come before this and this period will be no different.”

— Tareq, 41, Brand Director

“Slowing down by breathing and being still in the moment works MFing wonders for me. The more calm I get the better decisions I can make.”

— Pope, 49, Designer and Artist

These responses don’t just challenge the old trope of men suffering in silence—they remind us that men’s mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It affects their partners, families, and the communities they move through. So while the sources of stress and the ways folks cope might look different, one thing’s clear: healthier men mean stronger relationships and more balanced communities.

If you haven’t asked the men in your life what’s weighing on their chest—or how they’re really dealing with it—this is a good time to start. A real conversation can go a long way.