Although stress impacts everyone, men are particularly vulnerable. According to social scientist Dr. Thomas Joiner, “Males experience higher mortality rates than females at all stages of life from conception to old age.”
In my recent interview on male stress with Johanna Wildoak on the radio station KZYX, we discuss the stresses men and women face — personal, interpersonal, and planetary.
We talk about simple yet effective practices to stop the stress that shortens lives and destroys relationships. I offer tools to address the most pressing problems men face today including: Irritable Male Syndrome, male depression, chronic pain, sexual dysfunction, loss of desire, male menopause, age-related issues and the stresses related to our economic and ecological transition.
It is an engaging interview. You can listen here. (When you click the link you will see my picture, underneath is a “play” button. Make sure you click that to listen.)
Enjoy the interview and please share your questions and comments.
If you like this interview you may enjoy this post on 3 Little Known Stressors that are Killing Men
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/76074333@N00/2933353564/
I have been married 28 years. 23 years we were best friends and partners in every way. I was primarily a work at home mom who home schooled and supplemented our income with various jobs teaching children art, music and theater. When my husband began to change – it seems as though it was related to a big opportunity at work where he was given the opportunity to rise to the executive level. He began working with no boundaries on his work life. If I asked for some certainty of time I was met with the response that this was the life of an executive. He also began referring to our money as his and decided I needed to begin pulling my own weight. This progressed into him getting and apartment on the other side of the country because he spent so much time there and the company approved this expense instead of hotel stays. This was without any discussion with me, I found out by accident. We still have an 11 year old daughter at home, our other 2 children have already graduated from college and live out of state. Their adventures have led my husband to see his desire to climb mountains, explore unknown wilderness and snowboard the back country. Leaving me and my youngest without a husband or father 21-25 days a month consistently now for over 2 years. We tried marriage counseling w/ 2 different people for 3 – 5 sessions but my husband didn’t like it and promised we’d work on things on our own. It’s been too hard for us to work through anything – we have a time constraint in any conversation because of work, his activities(which are minimal too because he works 7 days a week), or the time difference. I have given him space because I felt he needed to find his own way. This midlife crisis needed to be his journey but at the same time I worked with a therapist, classes and many online offerings. I have learned about marriage, communication, midlife(for me and him), finding my true calling etc…. I took my 11 year old out of school last fall and traveled across the US with her hoping for hope and new perspective. We had a great adventure to which my husband was invited to join us any step of the way. He came for a gathering with my adult children in Zion Park – it was great but he had to work any free time he had. This was all financed by money my grandparents left me.
Upon our return he became insistent we split finances and I find a full time job that makes 50K. I had decided to get my Master’s in education while working part time but he decided this wasn’t a lucrative enough field. He wouldn’t support me going back to school.
I am single parent to our daughter, I do all all the household chores and maintenance, and I work part time. My husband has now given me an allowance. We never had financial problems so this isn’t the reason for his taking control of the finances, it’s so he can save a lot and retire early. He feels I have been living an unrealistic life of ease and if I want to pursue a charitable career of working with kids then I must live the life that corresponds to making little money.
This man is unrecognizable. He was always generous, kind supportive and a great partner. He loved his family and was such a great dad to our older 2 children. We both love the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, biking, yoga and swimming. Yet he has taken everything to a new extreme level and feels we have nothing in common and doesn’t want to spend time with family doing the same things he’s done for 3o years. We spent a great deal of time with extended family now he misses most events.
He has begun to file for a divorce. I can not let go because it was great for too long, I can’t believe things can change so dramatically. He really wants this to be a good divorce and for us to stay really close friends(for the children) and live together for the next 5 years for our youngest. It doesn’t make any sense…..
I would love to set up some sessions with you to help me come to terms with everything and to gain some understanding. How do I do that? Thanks for all the work you do. I have really gained a lot from your book, your posts and your radio interview. Christine