RN&R’s annual Women’s Health Guide

I often think about what womanhood means—what does my gender represent to me, to others? What is my place in society as a woman? On one hand, I’m grateful to have so many opportunities available to me; on the other, I often feel as if my scales are unbalanced when I try to tackle too much. And when I feel off-kilter, my health is the first thing disrupted.

And thus, balance became the theme of this issue. It takes physical, mental and emotional wellbeing to be happy and whole. This issue reflects the importance of that unity. You will read about Jessica Ross’s struggle with depression as a teen and now as an adult, and the toll it once took on her body. Susan Winters interviews Rachel Koester from Anytime Fitness about the energy and strength women can find in weight lifting. The Women’s Health Specialists of Nevada discuss their priority to counsel, and not just diagnose, their patients. And Trish Evans of the Committee to Aid Abused Women provides insight on the turmoil that battered women experience.

These stories demonstrate how delicate and resilient the human body is, and how much we are influenced by our surroundings. An awareness of our own limits can help us choose preventative measures that work for us. The ability to have a say in our health is one of our most sacred gifts.

I also think of women around the world who may not have the resources we have at our fingertips. I am so inspired by the strength, love and optimism women exhibit in the midst of hardship.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in the past this issue was focused exclusively on breast cancer. This October, we can continue to honor those who have overcome that pervasive disease but also shed some light on other prevalent issues that women may be facing in secret, afraid of shame or judgment.

I hope this edition will give us a greater appreciation of our differences, and will let us revel in our similarities. Thanks for reading.