Why Looking After Your Mental And Physical Health As A Dad Is Vital

When you take a proactive approach to your mental and physical health as a parent, you are able to strengthen the family unit, be a good role model to your family, and be more present in your life. You will find that the home environment thrives, relationships are great, and parenting is more effective. 

It can be difficult when you are the one who needs to lead the way. That is a part of being a parent, but it also does not mean you should take it all on your shoulders. However, you are responsible for your own mental and physical health, your thoughts, actions, and behaviours. If you can focus on this, then you will find that the stress of fatherhood is alleviated, and you will build a lot more resilience and feel a lot more satisfied with your life.

Unfortunately, being a parent, you are likely to be so busy caring for your family, working a job, and fulfilling all your commitments. This leaves little to no time for self-care. There is also the added pressure on men, where mental health is just not something that you think about or talk about. This often leads to a more reactive approach when something bad happens. Whether it is an outburst or a physical struggle. 

Not many people are aware that your mental and physical health are closely linked. Looking after them will help support them both, and if one is neglected, it will begin to impact the other. So both need to be considered closely. 

When you take a more proactive approach, it will be hard at first as it is unfamiliar and difficult to navigate, but it will make the road ahead much easier. You will be happier, have more energy, and relationships, family, and work will click into place. If you neglect your mental and physical health, you will find that you have little energy, patience, tolerance, and temperament, and are at a higher risk of developing anxiety, depression, or a physical health condition. 

To help you on your journey, here are some important ways that you can look after your physical and mental health as a parent. 

#1 Consider what is making your mental and physical health worse 

A first and important step to take when you are on this journey is to consider what in your life is taking up a lot of energy and what is not working. This could be certain habits or routines that you currently cycle through, certain behaviours or activities that you do, and more. It is common for people, for example, to use social media and slouch on the sofa as a way to switch off at the end of the day. However, this is not good for your mental or physical health and could be a negative contribution to your life. 

#2 Prioritize sleep

Sleep is one of the most important things that a human needs, yet it is one of the most neglected. This is the time when your brain processes everything from the day, and your body goes through a cycle of repair. A good night's sleep will support you mentally and physically - from the energy and strength you feel, to your mood, temperament, and stress levels. Consider what you do before you go to bed, how much quality sleep you get, and what you do when you first wake up. These will all impact your sleep quality.

#3 Work on your stress management

Stress is a normal part of being a human being; however, you should be able to flexibly move in and out of stress. If you stay in a stressed state all the time, this can increase your risk of both physical and mental health problems. Consider what stress triggers you have, how often you stay stressed, and what you can do to help you when you are stressed. Breathing exercises for stress can be helpful, as well as going for a short walk or finding something to help you refocus your attention. 

#4 Stay active

Activity is crucial. Many people will only consider exercise when they want to lose weight, but it is vital for energy, mood, physical health, and so much more. There are many different ways you can stay active, but to start with, you want to find something that fits into your lifestyle and something that you enjoy. This will make it much easier to implement and stick to. Google search for a gym near me so you can start weight lifting, or join a class that you may enjoy. Or you can find a hobby, such as hiking, paddle boarding, or swimming, that gets your body moving. As a dad, it might be helpful to pick activities you and your whole family can do together. 

#5 Eat healthy 

Food is fuel, and it will play a huge role in how you feel physically and mentally every day. You don’t have to overhaul everything, but see where small changes can be made to reduce processed foods and increase whole food, fruit, and vegetables into your diet. An even more effective way to do this is to get the whole family involved in cooking dinner. This will give you all a fun way to bond, teach your children about nutrition, and ensure you look after your entire family's mental and physical health. 

#6 Incorporate more fun into your life

Fun is a crucial component of leading a good and healthy life, and being a role model to your children. It is important in the health journey too, so you don’t focus too hard on being healthy and it becomes a chore. When you are happier and doing more that you love, you can begin to create a positive cycle in your life and will help all your healthy acts become easier.

As a parent, it is difficult to find the time and energy to implement a healthier lifestyle. Consider all of the tips above, and how you can take small steps and integrate them into your life.