Since we’re almost at the end of Black History Month, I thought about my fellow black women and how they’re coping with emotional or mental issues. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems have been impacting African-American women as much as white women. If you’ve been coping with any of these issues, here are a few emotional wellness tips that we as Black women can implement in our lives.
Why Emotional Wellness Matters for Black Women
Emotional wellness matters for all women. However, it’s especially valuable for black women. We wear many hats in our lives, from sister to mother to best friend. Many black women have been going through various mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, stress, etc. This is due to the daily levels of aggression that come from living in this country and in this wicked, unjust world in general. It could really be insurmountable for black women to live in a world filled with racial strife and trauma.
Another important aspect of emotional wellness and black women is that a lot of us are caregivers. Many of us are taking care of a sick child, elderly parent, or sick family member. The stress of this job has led many to feel emotionally and physically burnt out. Because of this, we must protect our mental and emotional health while caring for someone else and their needs. If we don’t, we will be incapable of taking care of others.
4 Emotional Wellness Tips for our Well-being
If you’ve been taking care of others and not yourself, the time is now to start doing this. Our emotional health matters just as much as our physical, and it’s time we start showing this. We can start by considering a few emotional wellness tips that can benefit us as black women now and in the future.
Redefine Strength
A lot of black women like to define themselves as strong women. We are indeed that. However, strength isn’t just about knowing how to do things on your own. It also involves asking for help when life becomes too overwhelming. Strength could also mean staying quiet or calm in certain matters. It could also mean taking some time to rest.
Practice Daily Emotional Check-ins
There are some apps that allow people to check on their mood each day. These are known as mood trackers. You can consider doing this by writing about how you’re feeling each day in your diary or journal. Some people use digital journals. Whatever way you check on how you’re doing each day, practicing it is cathartic for some people. It has allowed them to clear their head of their problems.
Build Encouraging Friendships
Staying in touch with our friends and family was very important during the pandemic. It’s still important in maintaining our emotional health. While there are plenty of benefits to being in solitude, it’s also important to maintain contact with people. We need good female friendships for support in whatever personal issues we’re going through. Without that boost of support, we will feel lonelier and more lost while trying to endure our trials.
Prioritize Self-Care
This last tip is vital for women in general. However, it’s also important that we, as black women, take some time to take care of ourselves. Many of us are caregivers, mothers, employees, and many other things. Consider taking a day off from work to go to that coffee shop you’ve always wanted to try. Give yourself a mani/pedi or a facial. When you prioritize your self-care, you’re putting your emotional well-being first before being responsible for someone else.
Warning Signs You May Need Extra Support
However, there are plenty of warning signs that a person may need more support than just following these tips. Some of those signs could include constantly isolating yourself, having severe thoughts of depression/suicide, or having low or no energy. If you’ve been experiencing these problems, consider consulting a mental health professional for extra support.
Another thing to remember is that you know your worth. Try sharing affirmations with yourself. Emotional wellness isn’t considered selfish. It’s about making sure you’re doing fine before looking after the needs of someone else. If you consider implementing these emotional wellness tips into your life, you’ll feel better emotionally and mentally.
What are your personal emotional wellness tips for black women going through personal issues? If you have any self-care strategies in mind, feel free to share them in the comments section below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next black woman you know trying to thrive in this world.
