Working dads are proof there are superheroes who don’t wear capes. If you’re one, you know just how challenging it can be to find the time for self-care.
Kids are a wonderful blessing, but they can also be a handful. They turn your life upside down and dramatically change your priorities.
However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and updating your routines with seasonal changes is doable, even with a hectic schedule. Here are a few useful Fall health tips, so you can continue being the super-dad you are.
Adjust Your Diet
According to one study, seasonal changes affect our mood and behavior, especially our circadian clockwork and metabolism.
With a decreasing number of sunny hours, you are more prone to depression and tiredness. Proper dieting can help you beat the Autumn blues and brighten up its gloomy days.
For a better mood, eat meals with high levels of carbs: insulin helps with increasing your serotonin levels. Also, you should eat foods rich in vitamin D, or take supplements to provide your body with what it needs.
Seasonal changes in temperature may be weakening your immune system, so make sure you drink lots of fluids (e.g. herbal teas) and take selenium, zinc, vitamin C and E.
Lay off sugar and processed food and indulge in healthy seasonal menu offers, like pumpkins, apples, pears, sweet potatoes and other yummy foods.
Get Regular Checkups
Prevention is the key to staying healthy. Don’t wait for the first symptoms to occur – instead, visit your doctor for regular screenings.
This doesn’t mean you should be a hypochondriac and test yourself for all the possible diseases. However, you should be wise enough to check if everything’s ok so you can quickly react if it isn’t.
Being a father, you have to set a good example for your kids and teach them to be health conscious. Based on your current health condition and family medical history, your doctor will suggest what kind of tests you need.
Also, you should know crispy cold air, and harsh autumn wind may be hurting your teeth. During this season, you may feel pain in your teeth for no apparent reason, either while sipping something cold or warm, or while eating.
Australian dads choose to consult their dentist in Sydney to get the best advice on how to take care of sensitive teeth with seasonal changes. The sensitivity could be genetic or caused by some external factor such as the cold (or a sudden switch from low temperatures to high ones, and vice versa), or brushing too hard and using inadequate toothpaste.
Squeeze in Exercising
Working out is mandatory in every season, but being a working dad makes it harder to find the time for it. Plus, seasonal changes may require a little update of your fitness routine: your metabolism and inner biological clock follow these calendar switches.
Listen to your body and adapt to its rhythm. Even a daily 30 min of physical activity can make a huge difference: try to wake up early and go for a light jog.
You can even purchase jogging strollers and take a run with your kids! For effective training, you need to fuel up your body continuously, with frequent smaller meals, and of course – never skip breakfast.
This will keep you full during the day, speed up your metabolism, and ensure you don’t put on unnecessary weight. Make sure you get a good night sleep, too.
Being a working dad can be demanding, but you have to find the time for yourself. If you get sick or feel dysfunctional because of your lack of sleep, you won’t be able to be there for you children, either. Putting yourself first from time to time means making them a priority at all times.
