The spotlight last week was on some extraordinary hairy beings often found leaning over a BBQ, sometimes with a tinned beverage in hand grunting and roaring with laughter over conquests, footy scores and how the country is run. This bushy variety is known for speaking fewer words than their female counterparts, display less facial expressions, can’t see as many shades of colour and may lack empathy when their loved ones nearby are suffering a head cold. Known as higher risk-takers, this breed are therefore more likely to have more accidents. They die younger from lifestyle-related health conditions and less likely to go for a health check-up despite nagging ailments that persist.
So why the focus on the menfolk and their weird and wonderful ways? Last week was Men’s Health Week - designed to heighten awareness for preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
So firstly, you blokes are an exceptional bunch with many characteristics us ladies will never be able to match. I’ve described fellas most stereotypically, however some women are even furrier than their man! This is a great opportunity to celebrate our mosaic brains and the incredible, uniqueness of the masculine and feminine tendencies found in all blokes – some weighted in more areas than others.
The world needs you and your health is a critical matter. There are health issues which only affect men. The world could be more sensitive toward your needs and how we promote healthcare in a way that makes it a more engaging place for which you can be cared for.
Whilst the government and the medical profession could consider how to provide more men-friendly practices tailored to blokes, here’s what blokes could do better:
Be smart about getting medical help and don’t expect persisting symptoms to sort themselves out.
Develop a help-seeking mentality. Talk!
Persistently get the lifestyle you deserve that features a healthy balance of work, family and alone time.
Rely on your partner, friend and family for support. You’re not designed to do life alone so share your inner world.
You might portray as fearless but don’t let it be your killer. In honour of Men’s Health Week – reach out when the chips are down and go get that check-up!
Joanne Wilson is a neuropsychotherapist, relationship specialist, workshop facilitator and guest speaker. Tune into radio Salt106.5 each Friday morning for her co-host of the Morning Wakeup. Don’t miss more on these Sunshine Coast Daily articles in her “Is This Love” Podcast and download your FREE relationship resources at www.relationshiprejuvenator.com
Meet Joanne Wilson…
... If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking a text, second-guessing a conversation, or wondering why the people you care about can also drive you completely mad, you’re in the right place. I am the author of Renovate Your Relationship and Psychyotherapist with a deep respect for both science, christianity and the beautifully messy reality of the human connection. This blog is where I share well-researched insights, real-life observations, and a touch of wit to help make sense of it all, from communication blunders to emotional breakthroughs. I am also your online confidante, someone you can trust to talk straight about relationships, resilience, and feeling a little more at home in your own heart (and with others). So grab a cup of tea, breathe out, and stay a while. Let’s untangle, rebuild, and grow, one honest post at a time.
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A trusted counsellor, educator, and author, Joanne Wilson blends evidence-based therapy with real-life insight to help people navigate relationships, heal, and thrive with compassion and clarity.
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