As a nation we are continually being told that we are fat and getting fatter with two thirds of Australian adults now considered overweight or obese. This is no surprise when most of us are living a more sedentary lifestyle and eating more highly processed foods. While we might like to joke at the pub about our ‘6-pack turning into a keg’ there are some serious risks to our health and wellbeing if our panels are bulging. Carrying around extra weight increases our risk of chronic illnesses including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (pump and pipes), and some cancers including bowel, kidney, and thyroid. So, how do we determine if we are carrying around risky levels of excess fat?
#11 Social/Spiritual Wellbeing – It’s Important
What makes us tick as blokes? Understanding and defining our social and spiritual wellbeing is an important part of our health and wellbeing. Finding meaning and purpose throughout life’s journey can help give us perspective and talk about challenging transition periods in our life. Getting past our isolated independence can help us be far more effective men.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 18:26 — 17.3MB) | Embed
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Making History as a Display in the Stunning New WA Museum, Boola Bardip
Wheatbelt Men’s Health Inc delivering the Regional Men’s Health Initiative (RMHI) has been immortalised in the Reflections Gallery of the new WA Museum.
The following quote is from an article in the RAC horizons magazine:
“For lovers of traditional history, the Reflections gallery features defining WA moments and landmarks, such as the advent of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Swan Brewery.”
We are in fine company with our special story being encapsulated in this same space in the “Reflections Gallery”.
This process started back in May of 2018 when we were contacted by the Assistant Curator for the Western Australian Museum working on the New Museum project. The following is quote from this correspondence:
“One of the key themes in the new museum is being Western Australian which will share the varied perspectives of Western Australian people; exploring ideas of identity, diversity, community, real lives, beliefs and values; and the meaning of country, place, people and culture to diverse communities. One area of content that I am currently researching is our developing approach in Western Australia towards mental health and wellbeing”
To have on display both the history of WMH Inc (2002 to 2019) and the evolution and development of The Regional Men’s Health Initiative is important validation of the longevity of our outstanding work in the mental health and wellbeing space throughout regional, rural and remote WA.
Dads and Father Figures – Are We Selling Ourselves Short?: Warrior Wellbeing Article
Modern society can at times, undervalue the role of the father in our children’s lives. We tend to sell ourselves short, and the risk is that we are seen as nothing much more than sperm donors in the process of parenting. We’re far more than just a second parent in the household. No other person is as likely to bring the positive outcomes that an involved dad can. Our parenting style is significantly different to the mother’s, not to mention the male role modelling that is so important to both our sons’ and daughters’ development.
#10 Wellbeing Tips – What are our Shock Absorbers?
How does your vehicle travel the road of life? Checking in with our Shock Absorbers is important so we can cope with the bumps in the road. What can we do to manage our distress?
Check how your Shock Absorbers perform here: https://bit.ly/2JIaXa3
Podcast: Download (Duration: 23:48 — 22.2MB) | Embed
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Mindfulness – The Gift of Being Present: Warrior Wellbeing Article
Simply put, mindfulness is the act of keeping our mind in the present moment. One of the common ways to practice mindfulness is through meditation. While meditation is a practice many people find helpful for their health and wellbeing, the term meditation might make us think of people sitting cross-legged repeating mantras to Tibetan meditation music. This might not appeal to all us blokes and may turn us away from the practice, but meditation is just one avenue to incorporate mindfulness into our lives.
#9 Wellbeing Tips – Our Mental Health and Wellbeing
What is our mental health and wellbeing? In this episode we discuss the language around mental health and wellbeing, stress, situational distress, and our Mental Health and Wellbeing Gauge.
Check out the Gauge here: https://bit.ly/3j3BPx4
Podcast: Download (Duration: 22:40 — 21.2MB) | Embed
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Smartphones – Friend or Foe?: Warrior Wellbeing Article
A recent article by the Australian Psychological Society identified that Australians are the fourth biggest smartphone users in the world. Aussies spend an average of 2.5 hours per day on their phone; this equates to 38 days per year. These figures are not surprising when you think about it. Consider last time you were on the bus or at the pub, how many people had their eyes glued to their screens? How is all this time in front of a screen impacting our health and wellbeing?
#8 Wellbeing Tips – Physical Health & Neglectful Attitudes
Challenging ourselves on why we sometimes have a neglectful approach to the many area’s that affect our physical health, including bad backs, prostate issues, skin conditions, hearing, sight and cardiovascular health. We discuss some useful tips for what we can do to look after ourselves and reinforce the importance of checking in with our GP.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 21:28 — 20.1MB) | Embed
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Is Stoicism a Dirty Word?: Warrior Wellbeing Article
It’s become fashionable in some circles to lump stoicism in with other, less than desirable traits like aggression, when talking about male behaviour. There is even an ongoing argument in the American Psychological Association about how it was controversially included as a harmful trait in their guidelines. Harvard professor, Steven Pinker argued the APA was misguided, “Stoicism is a good quality, not, as the new guidelines say, harmful”. He’s on the money when he argues that the guidelines should encourage “the masculine virtues — dignity, responsibility, self-control, and self-reliance.” All of these are the qualities and virtues of manhood that we should be celebrating.