By Lucy Mitchell
A key aspect of a healthy relationship is for both parties to have a positive image of themselves.
Fathers, however, may be so caught up with providing for their partner and their children that they end up neglecting their own needs. This can impact their self-esteem and well-being, which could negatively spill over to other aspects of their lives.
Mums, if your partner isn’t acting like their usual self, then you should approach this phase of their life with gentleness and compassion. You should encourage them to improve themselves but do so in a way that makes them feel capable and not inferior.
Remember, every father approaches the negative aspects of their life differently. Some may be good at hiding it, while others could wallow in it and even project it on others. It’s important to be patient either way and help them overcome this heightened feeling of distress and shattered confidence.
If your previous tactics haven’t been working, then worry not. In this article, we’ve put together some practical ways you can support your partner and help them regain their confidence.
Let’s get straight into it!
Encourage Healthy Grooming and Skincare
Your partner isn’t getting any younger, and coming to terms with their mortality may be a great source of worry for them. The not-so-good news is that this increased stress may contribute to visible and physical manifestations of aging like fine lines, saggy skin, and a receding hairline.
If your partner feels insecure because of these facial features, then you should address these issues and make them feel good even with these signs of aging on their face. Show them that you still love them, like giving them compliments or showering them with gifts.
If these methods don’t work, then you can encourage your partner to consider implementing a skincare and haircare routine. Regular haircuts, beard trims, and a thorough skincare routine can all make your partner’s face look more presentable, which can make a world of difference in boosting their self-esteem.
You can even go the extra mile and help them invest in hair growth transplants or skin tightening procedures to elevate their face. Clinical procedures, like a Sydney hair transplant at Gro Clinics, are viable actionable solutions that can patch signs of aging in your partner’s face, helping them boost their confidence. This can strengthen their self-esteem and boost the quality of your relationship, in turn.
Motivate Him to Stay Active
If your partner lives a sedentary lifestyle, then encouraging them to get outside of the house and become a tad more active is worth considering. Regular exercise is a great way to get the heart pumping and boost endorphins. This can help them regulate emotions and stay energised throughout the day.
If your partner hasn’t been active recently, then you can encourage them to take tiny steps before taking big strides. Get them to walk around the block for twenty minutes a day, for starters. If that’s not possible, then buy a jump rope or a weight set for home use.
Experts say that 150 minutes of exercise a week is the minimum to remain in good health. Get your husband to build the habit of staying active—trust us, it’ll get much easier to follow through with it later on.
Once they’ve built a solid base, then you can encourage them to take up a physical sport or go to the gym. Some excellent forms of cardio they can consider include cycling, rowing, yoga, climbing, and running.
Seeing their physique and physical skill levels grow over time can be a great source of motivation for them, and in some cases, it can kill negative self-talk and low self-confidence.
Change His Diet Plan
Believe it or not, something as simple as the food your husband eats can be a significant factor in influencing their mental health.
A poor diet can lower energy levels, reduce mood, and keep their confidence levels low. It does this both directly through the substances found within certain food groups and indirectly through the fats and sugars that may contribute to an undesirable look.
Having said that, it’s essential to evaluate your meal plan and ensure that it’s balanced and healthy for your entire family. This is particularly true if you’re responsible for cooking and preparing the meals.
A good diet is one that has a healthy assortment of lean proteins (fish, beef, chicken), whole grains, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables and fruits. If you’re used to offering processed foods and sugary snacks and drinks to your partner, then cut it out as soon as you can. Keep your food clean, unprocessed, and healthy—this can promote their well-being in the long run.
By substituting unhealthy meals with healthier dishes, like grilled chicken with a side of vegetables, you can help your partner manage their weight better and promote their health simultaneously. This can improve their digestive health and make them feel stronger, happier, and more energised.
Show Love and Affection to the Family
It’s important to be honest and recognise the potential source of your partner’s distress. Are you spending enough quality time with him? Would you consider the relationship to be healthy? Are you communicating with him honestly and openly? How is his relationship with the kids?
If you’re not giving your partner enough emotional support as their partner, then it’s natural for them to feel underappreciated and unseen.
To counter this, it’s essential to spend some quality time together and share some heartwarming and romantic gestures with them from time to time. Saying “I love you.” or “Thank you for all your hard work.” can go a long way in helping your partner feel motivated and emotionally fulfilled.
Furthermore, it’s important to encourage the kids to develop a strong bond with you and your partner. The family unit is of great importance for any father—and it’s their pride and joy to see everyone getting along with one another.
As such, on your partner’s day off, consider hosting fun family activities like going to the beach or playing fun family games at home. This can help your dad feel valued and connected with the family, which can make him fulfilled in his role as a parent.
Plan More Date Nights
Spending quality time with your husband is a great way to make them feel loved and appreciated.
During these moments, it’s important to give them your undivided attention and shower them with romance and appreciation. This will signal to him that you value the relationship, which can make him feel secure and confident in his role as a father and a husband.
One great way to improve your partner’s confidence is by planning date nights with them. This doesn’t have to be too extravagant—simple movie nights at home, dinners at the local favourite, or a night drive can be excellent ways to reignite the spark of love.
By planning out date nights and slotting them into both of your busy schedules, you can strengthen the romantic bond and reduce stress. This, in turn, can help boost your partner’s confidence and make them feel much more secure in both love and life.
Get Into Family Counseling
In some cases, your partner may be so deep in his head that professional intervention may be necessary to bring him back to reality. Family counselling can be a great tool to help foster a much-needed couple’s communication session.
It’s important to remove the prejudice associated with getting help. Some fathers may feel the need to act strong and brave, but for all we know, it could all be a front to keep the family unit intact and he could be suffering in silence.
It’s not easy as a partner to challenge this deep-seated issue and navigate his turbulent emotions yourself. By getting your partner to speak and open up with a trained counsellor, he can navigate his mental challenges better in a non-judgmental and safe space.
At the end of the day, your partner is human and experiences very human emotions. If you want him to become the best version of himself, then ensuring that he’s heard, understood, and supported is essential. And having a professional navigate this side of him, with sessions with and without you, can be beneficial for their well-being in the long run.
We hope these tips will help you in restoring your partner’s confidence!