Sanity

How do you maintain your sanity in this newborn phase? I’m a dad and this is my second time (newborn is 3 weeks now) but somehow it feels more difficult for me this time. I’m currently on my parental leave and I try to do as much as I can to take burdens off my wife.

I feel anxious and exhausted all the time. I was a bit too harsh to my toddler who threw me tantrums the other day and my wife said it was scary in an abnormal way. My wife told me to have some free time and relax but I just cannot do it. I don’t know why I feel so anxious this time.

Today, I manage to took my wife’s advice and drove to McDonald drive thru and got myself quarter pounder meal. I had my newborn in car seat cos he sleeps easy there. I parked near the lake and had my burger and fries in 5 mins and drove back home. It was for 20 mins and I felt so anxious to spend more than 20mins..

What’s your advice? Should I seek out professional help? How do you maintain your sanity? What do you do to stay mentally healthy?