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Adrien Brody is an intense guy. He lost 30 pounds to play the lead character in The Pianist and puts 25 pounds of muscle on for Predators. The actor, the youngest ever to win a Best Actor Oscar, has a calm, soothing voice, but in films his characters can spark to rage. In Detachment, opening March 16, Brody plays Henry Barthes, a substitute teacher hired by a failing school for a few weeks of work. Brody said he was prompted to play Henry because his father was �a public school teacher, and an inspiration to me. His students were part of my desire to make this film.� He adds, �Having a positive father figure is crucial for our development.� More from MensHealth.com: Adrien Brody�s Workout Plan What comes across best in Detachment is how Henry handles the anxieties he faces at work, at home, and with his family. So we asked Body how he handles stress, anxiety, and the perils that plague every man�from actor, to schoolteacher, to business drone. Men�s Health: Henry is under considerable emotional strain in the film, and you�re in a demanding profession. How do you deal with stress? Adrien Brody: A wonderful question. We all have plenty of stress. It�s part of the human condition, exacerbated by living an active life in a city among other stressed individuals. The positive way to deal with things is by resolving the conflict that�s creating the stress�if it is something that can be resolved. There are general, stressful conditions we all cope with�and physical conditioning is incredibly helpful to burn off the stress. When I go through periods where I train and am very active, I say I can�t believe I survived without doing this. But things come up and you fall off of that. (Want to teach your children like Brody�s character in Detachment? Read how to Teach Your Kids Anything.) Men�s Health: I find when I�m stressed out I�m quick with my emotions. In Detachment, Henry tells one student he used to be very angry. How do control your emotions under pressure? Adrien Brody: I�m much less volatile than that character, and I�ve spent a lifetime understanding and connecting to emotions�not only my own, but other people who are going through completely different conditions. It�s like a form of meditation and training. I�ve become more aware of [pressure], I step outside myself. There are days where we are stronger than others. Just do you best and not fall victim to emotional mood swings that pass. Men�s Health: There�s a line Henry reads about feeling the �weight of the world.� Do you ever feel that hopelessness that can lead to depression? Adrien Brody: Definitely. I feel a sense of responsibility. And with that comes pressure. I�ve had to adapt and accept it. The conflict within us is resistance. If you resist the less than ideal conditions we�re all faced with, you create more potential for your own suffering. If you accept your responsibility, and do all you can, that�s all you can do. Men�s Health: But there are benefits to accepting responsibility, and doing a job well, too . . . Adrien Brody: I�m grateful and privileged to learn so much through these characters I play and to share that. It�s remarkable when strangers let me know that I�ve touched them in a meaningful way. Or something I�ve done has had a profound effect on them. I accept there will be pressure that comes with it. Men�s Health: Your character tries to save lives in the film�from his students to his at-risk house guest to his dying grandfather. Have you ever found yourself in a life-saving situation, and if so, how did you handle it? Adrien Brody: I�ve been in some situations, yes. [Laughs]. I don�t often reflect on them. I don�t care to share that. I�ve been fortunate to help out.