10 signs your partner isn’t taking care of himself

It can be frustrating when one partner isn’t pulling their weight in a relationship. Maybe they didn’t wash the dishes, load the washing machine or clean around the house.

It’s easy for someone to think their partner is irresponsible and lazy, but sometimes the inability to do basic things is one of the major signs that your partner isn’t taking care of himself. When a man’s behavior is stopped, it becomes more and more important for him to show up. And recognizing the subtle signs is the first place to start.

Here are 10 signs your partner isn’t taking care of himself

1. He neglects his personal hygiene

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A sign that your partner is not taking care of himself is if he neglects personal hygiene. Maybe she doesn’t shower every day or hasn’t washed her hair in weeks. Either way, it’s not a good sign.

According to nurse Ivory Smithindifference to showering, combing, or keeping up with hygiene is usually a sign of poor mental health. Being unable to stay current with basic hygiene practices it could lead to avoidant behaviors or feelings of shame and guilt.

In your relationship, it’s important to support your partner by encouraging good hygiene. Smith suggests implementing covenants, using disposable bath towels, and pulling on products that could make showering easier.

2. Makes poor nutritional choices

man eating chicken with a fork Mallika Home Studio | Shutterstock

Although there is nothing wrong with it eating junk food from time to timenot balancing it with good, nutritious food is worrying and indicates that your partner is not taking care of himself.

Unfortunately, a study from PLOS One found that high intake of saturated fat led to high levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. When this happens, it can cause heart disease in young people. Your partner’s health is the most important thing in his life, so it’s best to convince him of this truth.

They need to put their health first by changing their diet to more nutritious foods, meal prep, or even learning a quick and healthy recipe.

If your partner doesn’t have the energy to do this, there are lots of foods that boost energybut you might also consider helping him. Spending time together cooking ensures you’re not doing most of the work and is another way to include quality time together.

3. Do not exercise

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Many people don’t exactly make time for exercise. Between work, family, household chores, or taking classes at college, it’s difficult to be consistent. However, never being active and always being lazy could indicate a mental health problem.

Research published in the journal Scientific Reports found that sedentary behavior exceeding 600 minutes per day was strongly associated with depression. This, in turn, can make it even harder for your partner to take care of himself.

Encourage him to stay active in the low moments. Offer to go for a brisk walk with him to get his body moving, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. It could be the difference between poor health and improved well-being.

4. His sleep schedule is irregular

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An irregular sleep schedule is a clear sign that your partner is not taking care of himself. He can turn all night, waking up the next day exhausted. Unfortunately, this can lead to poor academic or workplace performance if he doesn’t have the energy to complete his daily tasks.

In times like these, lead by example. If you’re going to sleep late, you can’t expect your partner to sleep early. This is where good sleep hygiene can help.

According to the Sleep Foundationsleep hygiene refers to the healthy habits and environmental factors in people’s lives that affect their sleep quality. For better sleep hygiene, the Sleep Foundation recommends getting sunlight daily, abstaining from smoking, maintaining a consistent routine, and using your bed only for sleep. As you get into a routine, you’ll find that your partner is more and more willing to do the same.

5. He doesn’t socialize with others

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Even if your partner is an introvert, not socializing or participating in social activities is a bad sign. If his friends call asking to hang out, he might pass at the last minute or stop texting. And staying indoors all the time can lead to isolation, which could cause additional problems down the road.

According to research from Perspectives in Psychological Scienceisolation leads to an increased risk of mortality. Lack of social connection is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. And men today are experiencing an epidemic of lonelinessfurther showing how important it is for your partner to be in the world.

While throwing your partner a big party certainly won’t help, encouraging them to go with you is a good place to start. You can go out to eat, go shopping or even take a nice walk. Slowly find ways to get him out of the house and as he gets used to it, it will be easier for him to accept invitations and be more active.

6. They neglect their responsibilities

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It is a worrying thing if your partner neglects his responsibilities. Things like cleaning, going to work, and paying bills on time are all non-negotiable. Unfortunately, when he doesn’t take care of himself, your partner can suffer from some kind of mental illness, especially if he finds it. hard to even get out of bed in the morning.

If your partner is neglecting their responsibilities, try to find ways to make their daily work enjoyable. For example, he might have to wake up in the morning, but at least he has his favorite breakfast to look forward to. Or, he has to go to work but has plans with you to wait for after class.

Finding ways to make these daily experiences enjoyable can help instill gratitude and positivity in your partner’s life. And that makes it easier for him to take care of himself.

7. He is capricious

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In life, we all have good and bad days. But if your partner doesn’t take care of himself, he can be hot and cold every day. They might talk back to you, cause trouble at work, or get into altercations with complete strangers. It indicates a potential anger problem or mental state.

According to research from Frontiers in Psychiatrypeople who show intense emotions constantly are more likely to have depression than those who are simply sad. This finding shows the importance of giving your partner the help they need; otherwise, mood swings can affect his well-being and your relationship.

8. His surroundings are messy

The man on the phone will be a mess Picture from the ground | Shutterstock

While it’s normal for rooms to become messy, if your partner refuses to clean his room or keep the house tidy, he’s not taking care of himself. More than likely, it can be an indicator that it is suffering from depression.

Although it might be a pain, it is important to stay positive during this time. Finding ways to make cleaning fun is a great place to start. For example, it is encouraging to offer to clean together while listening to music or watching his favorite show. Cleaning in bursts is also a good way to get into the habit. Maybe clean for 30 minutes at a time instead of spending all day tidying.

It might take some time, but slowly he can get into the habit of doing things on his own. Be patient and understanding while he relearns how to take care of himself.

9. He’s on the phone constantly

man on the phone while sitting on the couch Antonio Guillem | Shutterstock

It might frustrate you to see your partner on their phone all the time. I might make you feel disrespected or unappreciated. But he might be using his phone to avoid reality. He might feel stuck in life and scroll through his social media feeds to escape the complicated emotions swirling around inside him.

Pull your partner aside to sit down and discuss your concerns with them. Designate a phone-free time. Maybe it’s when you’re cooking dinner together or spending quality time on the couch. During no phone, reconnect with your partner. It’s a great way to help him get back on track.

10. He gave up his hobbies

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Hobbies are a great way for someone to express themselves and ground themselves. But if your partner has given up on hobbies or lost interest in them altogether, it’s a sign that he’s not taking care of himself.

Conformable a study published in European Child & Adolescent Psychiatryloss of interest in hobbies is a sign that someone is severely depressed. Known as anhedonia, then one loses interest and pleasure in everything. But the symptoms don’t stop there; researchers have found that this extends to a loss of motivation and sense of connection.

If this is the case with your partner, it’s a good idea to seek a professional opinion for help. There’s not much you can do if your partner has reached this stage, other than getting professional help. But you can help by staying positive and encouraging him along the way.

Marielisa Reyes is a writer with a BA in Psychology who covers self-help, relationship, career, family, and astrology topics.