John H. client at Wellness Works NW in Longview, WA
Life is so complex. It takes my breathe away when I think about it all. All the decisions, choices, and the mass amounts of conflicting information that is out there overwhelms me. Does it you?
As 2017 started last month, I thought about my role as writer and researcher for Wellness Works NW and what I wanted to say.
When Karen and Summer came for a visit to my home, I asked them what is it they would like me to write about. Summer immediately said Men’s Health. I knew I needed to write about men and their health, but I know that topic it is far vaster than writing about penises and I have already written what I could fathom on this subject.
I was happy when Karen included her thoughts and opinions. Karen’s heart is to include men in wellness. She let me know that a few of her mature male clients have expressed feeling left out of the realm of wellness talks. Wellness seems geared towards women and or younger men; when I did my research on Men and Chronic Illness I noticed the lack of information that included men in the conversation. I only found a few blogs where men discussed their illness and I noticed the articles always assumed it was women who suffered from chronic illness.
I know that is not true.
What I found out while I researched and asked questions to the few men who would speak with me about their illness is that they feel ashamed with sharing their weakness. They felt like they had to portray this big, strong, sexually potent, and tough as nails macho man. A few even said that they felt like they were whining when they talked about it. Since doing my research, I have opened up my mind and heart to men, listening, asking questions, and watching them. I have found men to be kind, smart, and that they too have a big desire to be well and to be there for their families. Some have even felt like they couldn’t take the time to focus on their own health because they have people who depend on them. My opinion is that this is often times why they are reluctant and resistant to taking the time to change their lifestyle to one of wellness.
Jamie and her family
In hope of encouraging, inspiring, and educating men about wellness I am making a request to men: I am at a loss of what to research, share, and write about that will fit your needs and wellness goals. That is why, I am going to open myself up to any questions you may have or something you would like to share with me, have me research or write about. Just to let you know I don’t know everything, but I know how to research and find information. Email me with your suggestions and questions and I will write and post my answers for you. I’m also open to you sharing your wellness journey with me and I will include it in a post.
Men, let’s start supporting each other. Be well my friends…
Sincerely,
Jamie Holloway
Author at Jamie Chases Butterflies
Researcher / Writer for Wellness Works NW
Email Jamie by filling out this form:
Jamie Holloway
lives in the Portland, Oregon area. Since October 2011 she has been sharing her Journey Toward Health and Wellness with Vasculitis through her blog at JamieChasesButterflies.com. As most of her articles will be about Men’s Health, Jamie intends to write her articles as though she was sharing important information with her brother, nephews and friends. We hope you are as inspired as we are with the raw candor Jamie uses in her writing.
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