Dad Health Edition

The Important Stuff: Sleep, Fitness, Diet, and Doctors.

A healthy dad is a good dad. Having children is a wonderful thing for a variety of reasons, but it isn’t always the best for our physical health and mental well-being. As we get older, it becomes even more crucial to optimize for better habits and improved health for longevity. I’m certainly not the healthiest person, but over the past year, I’ve been on a path to improve in all areas. At 46, I knew I was at an inflection point, and if I could get healthy, build muscle, and form better habits, I would hopefully be setting myself up for success as I get older. I thought I would share some of the things I have learned.

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Become Obsessed With Sleep

• The Key. Sleep is the key to everything. When I am not well-rested, I don’t make good decisions about food and exercise. I am less productive as a dad and at work. So the first thing to fix is your sleep. Be ruthless to make sure you can do everything you can to get all of the rest that you need.

• Sleep > Negronis. Alcohol is the number one negative effect on my sleep.

• Early to Bed. It’s easier to go to bed earlier than to hope you get to sleep in later. Kids tend to wake up early and then wake you up. When you go to sleep, it is easier to control than when you wake up. Sometimes I go to bed close to when my kids do, so I know I can get in the 8 hours I need (and want).

• Study up. Use a Whoop to learn what helps your sleep and what doesn’t. Again, booze bad. Exercise good.

• Non-Continuous Dreams. Waking up in the middle of the night doesn’t necessarily ruin a night’s sleep. I use music to go back to sleep and quiet my mind. I make a point not to use my phone and try to avoid turning my brain on, or it becomes much harder to switch it back into sleep mode.

• Become Obsessed With Your Bedding. Do everything you can to make your bedroom conducive to good sleep. Black out the windows, keep it cool, and buy a good pillow. (I am obsessed with this one from Coop Sleep Goods and take it with me if I can.)