Health Tips For Dads
New moms, quite rightly, receive a lot of information about how to look after themselves. There’s support out there to assist breastfeeding, to help stop postpartum depression and for women suffering from any other post-birth problem. Perhaps not enough support in some areas, but even then, there’s a wealth of information online for moms. What about dads? Men are notoriously bad at talking about their health. Instead struggling on in silence until things are too bad to bare. While it’s fair to say that dads don’t have quite the same trauma when it comes to the birth itself, they still face a huge period of adjustment and change which can have a negative effect on their health.
Children (and wives) need healthy, strong and fit dads that can look after them, play with them, support them and help them to grow. So, it’s vital that you take the time to look after yourself, whether your children are newborn or older.
Mental Health
Depression and other mental health problems are incredibly common in men today. Suicide is one of the leading killers of young men all over the world, partially because we just don’t confront our problems. We ignore them and hope they’ll go away. While telling our children that they should talk to us if something is wrong.
Well, take your own advice. Learn to open up, to speak to your friends and family and to take some time out for yourself occasionally. Find things that make you happy, that you enjoy, and that help you to beat stress and keep doing them. Exercise and diet can also play a big part in looking after your mental health, so watch what you eat and keep active when you can. This will improve your confidence, reduce your stress and make you feel happier.
Sexual Health
After the birth of a baby, women obviously have concerns when it comes to getting back into the swing of things sexually. But, it can be hard for men too. Many men worry about hurting their partners, feel under pressure to perform after a long break or just feel a bit weird about things when there is a baby in the room. This can lead to anxiety, premature ejaculation, and other issues. Speak to your partner if things aren’t feeling quite right and take a look at some home remedies for premature ejaculation. Don’t be embarrassed, and rest assured these feelings are completely normal.
Weight
Weight is another thing that women talk about all of the time. It’s a common concern for moms as they struggle to return to their former shape. Most of us will honestly tell our partners that we don’t care. But, a few of us have our own worries. It’s common for men to gain weight when they become fathers. We get comfortable, we relax, and we go out less. We stay at home eating comfort foods, we exercise less, and our sleep patterns suffer. This can lead to weight gain.
A few pounds here and there won't hurt you. It can even be healthy. But, if you start to fall into the overweight or obese groups, you are putting your health at risk. You could find yourself becoming ill and unfit or at risk of serious health issues in the future. If you want to live a long and happy life and be able to run around with your kids for years to come, look after your weight. Start getting more exercise, eat a well-balanced diet and walk as much as you can. Even 30 minutes of extra movement a day can be a big help.
Sleep
Many parents struggle to get enough sleep. It’s something that we all have to face. For the first few weeks or even months, there isn’t much that you can do about it. You just have to sleep when you can and rest when you need to. But, once your child starts to get older, it’s essential that you all get into a routine. Eating well and exercising will help but do your best to stick to a bedtime and routine. Getting plenty of sleep will help your weight, your mental and sexual health as well as protecting you from coughs, colds and other bugs.
Looking after your health doesn’t have to mean making massive changes. It just means taking care of yourself and listening to your body. If making healthy choices doesn’t help, don’t hesitate to call your doctor.