Issue #4: Sports Are Seriously Stressful For Kids — That’s Kind Of The Point

Welcome back!

The First Rule of H.M.C - Don’t Talk About the H.M.C

What’s on Today’s Agenda:

🍔 Damn, That Looks Good

👕 A Touch Of Crimson

🎧 New Song

🤣  Dad Joke

🤕 How I Felt After Attending Therapy

🎃 Top Halloween Costumes

👀 Interesting Read

Damn, That Looks Good 🍣

@eatwitzo

Cedar Plank Crab Stuffed Salmon #salmon #crab #eatwitzo

Your Wardrobe: A Touch Of Crimson

Menswear doesn't operate in isolation. Some of the most exciting fashion trends are often borrowed from the past or other industry segments. A bold splash of crimson—whether in socks, tights, or knits—has been a staple in womenswear shows and street style for a few seasons. Now, through a natural blending of influences, menswear embraces these rich cherry tones in this season’s standout pieces.

Listen To This Song 💿

How I Felt After Finally Attending Therapy 🤕

More men are seeking therapy today than ever before, yet it remains a difficult step for many to take. Cultural stigmas, skepticism about therapy's effectiveness, and internalized notions about masculinity continue to hinder men from seeking mental health support. While men face higher risks of death due to untreated mental health issues, they are still less likely than women to seek help.

Despite the resistance, therapy can be transformative. The article shares personal stories from five men who avoided therapy until they saw it as necessary. Their experiences shed light on how deeply ingrained cultural stigmas and personal uncertainties prevent many men from seeking help. Some found therapy life-changing, while others still questioned its effectiveness but valued the attempt. Each story highlights the powerful shift therapy can provide when men begin to confront their emotional struggles.

1. Transforming Struggles and Breaking Stigmas
   Miguel shares his journey of growing up with significant trauma and turning to drugs instead of therapy, partly due to the cultural stigma in the Latino community. It wasn't until 2017 that he sought therapy, which allowed him to heal and understand his past. He now works in mental health, helping others from similar backgrounds.

2. Learning to Trust the Process
   John, despite understanding psychology, struggled to see how therapy could benefit him. Even though he remains unsure about "doing the work," his new therapist helped him feel seen and understood, and he's sticking with the process, trusting it to eventually reveal its value.

3. Confronting Pain Changed Everything
   David tried therapy after losing his parents but felt dissatisfied. Later, he pursued psychedelic therapy, which helped him confront his depression. This breakthrough, combined with continued therapy, allowed him to manage his mental health in a way he hadn’t before.

4. Realizing Help Isn’t Weakness
   A business leader, Mike initially saw therapy as a sign of weakness. However, therapy helped him manage stress, improve his emotional intelligence, and become a better leader. He now considers therapy as essential for mental and overall well-being.

5. Therapy Didn’t Work, But I’d Try Again
   For one man, therapy didn’t provide the desired results due to a disconnect with his therapist. Despite this, he recognized the need for help and plans to try therapy again with someone better suited to his needs. In the meantime, physical health routines like gym workouts helped him manage stress and anger.

These stories reveal that while therapy may not always be a perfect fit initially, it can lead to self-discovery and better mental health when men are willing to confront their challenges head-on.

Read the full article

Try Out This Dad Joke At Work

Which days are the strongest? Saturday and Sunday. The rest are weekdays.

Top Halloween Costume For Dads 🎃

Here are some top Halloween costume ideas for dads in 2024, mixing fun, nostalgia, and trending pop culture:

1. Deadpool or Wolverine – With the upcoming Deadpool 3 movie, these iconic Marvel characters are back in style, offering a fun superhero option for dads who want to be playful or badass​.

2. Barbie’s Ken – Thanks to the massive popularity of the Barbie movie, dressing up as Ken, whether in his iconic surfer or cowboy look, is both trendy and easy to pull off.

3. Beetlejuice – With renewed interest from the Beetlejuice sequel, this ghostly character makes for a nostalgic and humorous costume.​

4. Ghostbusters – A classic and family-friendly option, the Ghostbusters uniform is simple yet recognizable, making it great for dads and kids alike.

5. Michael Myers – For dads who want to embrace the spooky side of Halloween, the iconic Michael Myers costume is simple but terrifying.

6. Astronaut – A full NASA suit offers a clean, sci-fi-inspired look, perfect for dads who want to go for a classic yet impressive costume​.

7. Cowboy – Timeless and easy to assemble with jeans, a hat, and boots, this costume is great for dads who want a rugged, simple look.​

8. Thor – Channel the god of thunder with a cape and hammer, perfect for Marvel-loving dads​.

9. V for Vendetta – A striking and affordable costume option, perfect for dads who love a bit of mystery with the iconic mask and coat.

10. Zombie – A classic go-to for dads who enjoy a bit of DIY fun with makeup and tattered clothes.

👀 Interesting Read

The article "Sports Are Seriously Stressful For Kids — That’s Kind Of The Point" by Christian Dashiell explores the growing issue of stress in youth sports and how it can be harnessed for positive growth. Research from Staffordshire University highlights that while stress is often seen as unfavorable, it can be reframed and used to enhance performance and enjoyment in sports. The study involved teenage athletes participating in workshops to shift their mindset from viewing stress as debilitating to seeing it as a performance-enhancing tool. These sessions taught athletes cognitive behavioral techniques, focusing on controllable variables like preparation, attitude, and effort, alongside mindfulness and self-compassion.

The findings revealed that athletes who adopted this "stress-is-enhancing" mindset experienced fewer negative emotions like fear and anger despite high-pressure situations near the end of their seasons. This approach improved their sports performance and equipped them with valuable coping mechanisms applicable to life beyond sports.

The article emphasizes that while youth sports benefit physical health, social connections, and academic performance, excessive stress can drive kids away from participation. The research aims to help athletes maintain mental well-being while maximizing the positive aspects of stress, ultimately making sports more enjoyable and sustainable for young athletes.