Sometimes a man needs a break. Other times he is simply hiding under a duvet and calling it rest. This men-only session is fully funded by MANUP?, so you pay nothing and can join with your camera off or a first name only.

Therapist James Elliott MSc opens by explaining how the brain confuses comfort with safety. A long scroll, one more Netflix episode or another pint feels harmless in the moment, yet each choice can cement a bigger rut. We look at the difference between healthy recovery and avoidance, the early signs that procrastination is turning into depression and why self-shaming keeps you stuck.

You will then build a practical toolkit:

• Signal list that shows when downtime has crossed into escape mode.

• Action ladder with five-minute tasks that nudge you forward when motivation is near zero.

• Mood boosters such as cold water, daylight and micro-movement that lift energy without pills or paywalls.

• Accountability habits that rely on mates, not nagging, to keep you honest.

Speak up, use the chat or listen quietly. Every man leaves with a printable self-check worksheet, a week-long progress tracker and contact details for helplines that answer round the clock if life tips from stuck to unsafe.