Dads need to take good care of their mental health for so many reasons. Probably the most important of which is to set a good example for their little ones. Unfortunately, some things seem innocuous that could be harming your mental health.
Read on to find out what they are.
Staying inside
While it can be a real struggle to prise yourself off the couch and pause Netflix, especially now in the middle of the Pandemic, getting outside is vital to your mental wellbeing. Indeed, by staying inside too much, you could be seriously damaging your mental health.
There are several reasons for this, including getting out in the sun will help your body make essential D vitamins that can have a marked effect on mood. Filling your lungs and so the rest of your body with oxygen ain’t a bad idea either, as doing so can make up feel more already and keep us focused too.
Finally, if you are outside, you are more likely to be moving your body around rather than sitting or lying in a sedentary position. We all know how good regular movement is for us, and this applies to gentle activity such as walking or bike riding just as much as a 60 min HIIT session!
Coffee
You may think that you just cannot wake up in the morning without your cup of java, but did you know it may be doing you more harm than good. Indeed, coffee (and tea) contains caffeine, which acts as a stimulant, and too much of the stuff can trigger anxiety.
However, studies have also linked coffee with such benefits as reducing depression symptoms and lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. With that in mind, you may wish to opt for moderation here rather than giving up completely. Just go easy on the double espresso at breakfast!
Hearing loss
Hearing loss isn’t something that most people associate with mental health issues. However, the evidence suggests that it can be a significant contributing factor in depression and mental decline problems.
This is thought to be because of the lack of social interaction that comes with hearing loss.
To that end, even if it’s a small decline, it’s vital to get your hearing checked and to receive the proper treatment. Indeed many things can now be done for hearing loss, such as being fitted for a hearing aid and having excess wax removed. Which means you won’t have to suffer the consequences associated with this issue.
Social Media
Unsurprisingly, social media also makes an appearance in things that can impact your mental health. Of course, this will come as no shock to most people because the toxic combination of looking at everyone else’s best selves and comparing them with our real selves is hardly conducive to good mental health.
Another issue relating to social media and mental health is that it can mirror addiction symptoms. That is because you get a small hit of dopamine when you check your posts and find someone has liked and commented on it to keep you going back for more.
Unfortunately, this can be a quite dangerous precedent to set and may make some people more vulnerable to developing additional and even more harmful addictions that could severely impact their mental health.
