Stress
Everyone experiences stress day to day. But, when looking after children, juggling home life and work life, keeping friendships and taking time on your own it can become too much. New dads also experience a lot of stress that is potentially not as spoken about compared to how much attention new mums get. As stress builds up, it is vital that there is a communication channel within the family. Open communication is the foundation of a thriving family. It is well known that men bottle up emotions and stress. The repression of emotions and mental wellbeing will only delay and course an overload of stress in the future.
Sport
Typically, when men are stressed, they tend to run away from their feelings, push them into unconscious, or when pushed beyond our limits explode in a rage. Men, in general, seek the company of other men in some activity like golf or football to escape their stress and get relief from work, the kids or other stressors.
Men rid themselves of stress through exercise. Sport increases heart rate and blood flow, as well as adrenaline. Pumping iron at the gym, playing football, golfing, hiking, jogging, whether with other men or not all help. Regular exercise remains the key to long term stress relief and better health.
Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and also improve sleep, which in turn reduces stress. Meditation, acupuncture, massage therapy, even breathing deeply can cause your body to produce endorphins.
Exercise not only does wonders for one’s energy, mind and body, but it is a wonderful way to bond with children. Playing football with them, shooting their first netball or basketball goal, taking them round the golf course, all are ways to have quality time with children and relieve stress.
Why is this important to you?
As a business, your main aim should be the welfare of those who are working for or with you. Men often do not reach out for help. As a business, you need to ensure all dads (and other staff) have access to services that will help push dads in the right direction to get help.
Moreover, you can help put activities in place and increase motivation with the knowledge that sport is a stress relief from work. When dads in the business start to be less stressed, the company will thrive.
When stress exceeds your ability to cope, it stops being helpful and starts causing damage to your mind and body as well as to your job satisfaction. You can’t control everything in your work environment, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless, even when you’re stuck in a difficult situation. What this is touching on, is that stress causes a massive amount of unproductivity and essentially shuts down the body. Looking after dads in business, will look after your company.
