2022, And a Sense of Déjà Vu

Plus, Are You Freaking Kidding Me With This? [Fatherly_Seahorse]( 2022 came roaring in with a sense of déjà vu. COVID is back. Remote work and school shutdowns are back. The anxiety is back. The juggling of responsibilities is back. Hell, even [The Matrix is back]( (it’s not a glitch). It feels like everything is sliding backwards. So the question of the moment is, how the hell do we move forward? Well, we’d like to start by bringing back a well-worn but damn useful metaphor: First, put on your own [oxygen mask](. Before you tend to your boss, your work, your taxes, your parents, or even your kids, you need to get yourself straight. Here are some ways to do just that. SELF [3Article1]( [16 Simple Things All Dads Should Do For Their Mental Health]( [It’s time to start incorporating these into your daily routine.]( [READ THE STORY]( TIPS AND TRICKS How to Start a Self-Care Plan Stress is pretty much universal –– but we all have different values, priorities, lifestyles, personalities, and family dynamics. Practically, that means it’s important for you to develop a self-care plan that will be effective for you, given all these unique factors. Start by identifying your baseline (your normal stress levels) and the moving parts that add stress. When you’re aware of your current emotional state and how it fluctuates situationally, you can better implement self-care resources that work for you, when you need them. “Allow yourself space and time to consider your emotional state, or your emotional bank account,” Trueblood says. “You’re the only person and the best person to accurately calculate the ‘balance’ in that emotional bank account and determine if and when you may need a refill.’” [Here’s some more advice on how to create a self-care plan that genuinely works.]( FURTHER READING - [Why Every Parent Needs a Board of Directors]( - ​​​​​[6 Ways to Calm Down When You’re About to Lose Your Cool]( - [Short Tempered? Here’s How to Stay in Control]( SELF, AGAIN [3Article2]( [How to Be More Resilient in a Crisis]( A Navy SEAL psychologist and a family psychology expert [share the secret to becoming a more resilient person.]( [READ THE STORY]( TIPS AND TRICKS Want to Be More Mentally Tough? Name Your Feelings It’s sometimes hard to put a name to your feelings. It might even be tough to admit to yourself when you’re nervous or sad. But research shows labeling your emotions takes a lot of the sting out of them. So, if you want to improve your mental toughness, check in with yourself a few times a day and ask yourself how you’re feeling: set alarms on your phone for morning, afternoon, and evening. “If you can put a name to the emotion or the mix of emotions, you’ll feel stronger,” says psychotherapist Amy Morin. “It could be as simple as stopping and taking a second to name your feelings to yourself.” Take notes on your phone or write them out with pen and paper. You can use an emotions word list to help you identify what you’re feeling, too. “It’s important to connect with how you feel, or you won’t know how your feelings affect your decisions,” Morin adds. “When you’re angry or embarrassed, you may take big risks you don’t need to.” [From cold showers to working out without headphones, here are a few simple exercises for strengthening mental toughness.]( DAD BOD [3Article3]( [This 15-Minute Core Workout Will Get You Back in Shape]( [Because a solid core equals a strong foundation.]( [READ THE STORY]( TALK TO US Have a question? Comment? Want to tell us a no-good terrible story? Or a helpful parenting tip? We want to hear from you (and yes, we may publish your response in an article or forthcoming newsletter). Send your thoughts to [hello@fatherly.com](mailto:hello@fatherly.com?subject=Fatherly%20Newsletter%20Feedback). [FATHERLY_LOGO]( [FB]( [IG]( [Twitter]( [View this email in your browser]( 315 Park Ave. South New York, NY 10010- You can [manage your preferences or unsubscribe]( here. Copyright © 2022 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. [Link](