New dads are also susceptible to feeling a little frazzled, frustrated, and stressed out. After all, it’s not easy taking care of a newborn child. However, some dads may experience more than just the usual stress of parenthood and suffer from postpartum depression.
While this condition is known to affect mothers more, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that between 5 and 10 percent of new fathers suffer from postpartum depression. This condition can be triggered by the hormonal fluctuations men experience during and after their wives’ pregnancy. And coupled with the stress and sleep deprivation brought upon by parenthood, new fathers might find it hard to find happiness after their little bundle of joy arrives.
So what can new dads do? For one, it’s crucial that they make the time to take care of themselves. With that said, we’ve listed below some self-care tips dads can do to cope with the stress of fatherhood.
Don’t be afraid to seek therapy
Usually, men have a hard time processing and expressing their feelings of guilt, sadness, and hopelessness. This is due in part to the socially imposed way for men to process their feelings, which is basically repressing it until it goes away. However, doing this is never healthy and can only worsen a new father’s depression and anxiety. Indeed, Fatherly points out that going to therapy isn’t a sign of weakness and doesn’t make you less of a man. In order to properly digest how you feel towards parenthood, you can seek therapy whether it’s one-on-one sessions with a therapist or a group therapy session with other new dads.
Try to be more active
Being a new father proves to be a stressful ordeal for many fathers, with many succumbing to an unhealthy lifestyle and letting their bodies go to waste. This can lead to both short-term and long-term health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. To help you get back on track to good health, be sure to exercise and stay fit.
Simple cardio exercises like running and cycling for at least 30 minutes per day can do so much for your physical health. Additionally, it can also help keep your mental health in check. It doesn’t have to be hours of lifting or bench presses — even just 10 to 15 minutes on a yoga mat can do wonders for your overall wellbeing. The ancient Hindu practice of yoga provides plenty of mind-body benefits — from improving strength and flexibility, to relieving pain and helping you get a better night’s rest. So, take note of your baby’s sleep schedule and create a routine of exercising at times when they’re resting and fast asleep.
Pick up a hobby
Being a father is like having a full-time job. Because of this, it can be harder to find time to focus on things that interest you outside of work and fatherhood. So, maybe try picking up a hobby that you can do while simultaneously taking care of your child. For instance, you can try reading a new book out loud to your baby or taking your baby on long walks. Whatever it is, doing an activity with your child can help strengthen your bond and relieve your stress.
Our own Archie Wortham highlights how fathers can’t be heroes to their families unless they accept that they are imperfect and forgive themselves. In order to take better care of their families, new dads should first prioritize their own mental and physical health. It can be hard to find the time to do all of this as being a father can be demanding, but it’s important to do this in order to be the best father for your new kid.
Written by Ava Stacie Carr
Exclusive for fatherville.com