Photo by Clarke Sanders from Unsplash
During February, we celebrate Black History Month. Like every American, African-Americans do undergo mental health issues as well. However, one group of people who go through a lot are Black women. With so many activities that they go through as mothers, sisters, caretakers and more, it’s a wonder that they can face the world each day. However, they must take care of their mental health as much as the next person, and here are five practical ways they can go about doing this.
Meditation is Essential
There are different ways we can try to meditate. We could sit on a yoga mat and breath in and out. We could simply try sitting on a couch while listening to soothing music. No matter how you meditate, setting aside several minutes to just think deeply will benefit your mind and soul. It’s also vital to nourishing your spirit. Try meditating after reading something spiritual like the Bible.
Eating a Nutritious Diet
What we put in our bodies affects us mentally. Having a diet filled with vegetables and fruits is essential to keeping a Black woman’s mind sharp. Avoid processed foods with high fat and high-sugar foods that bring empty calories. The key to managing a healthy diet is being organized. Try setting aside some time to plan out what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day. Consider implementing plant-based ingredients into your diet.
Keep Your Body in Shape
Staying in tip-top shape is very important for Black women. Without exercise, we will not only be out of shape, but our mental health will not be intact either. Exercise helps us manage depression, stress and other emotional issues. Try engaging in some form of movement for 30 minutes a day. By engaging in daily exercise, you start to see your feel-good endorphins experience a real boost that your body needs.
So what type of exercises could liven up your mood? Aerobic exercises, such as jogging, cycling and walking are effective in keeping your mental health in order. You also will start to see your self-esteem rise which is also important. So grab that yoga mat, pop on some YouTube workout videos and jumpstart your exercise routine.
Connecting with Family and Friends
We can’t connect with them in person due to this ongoing pandemic, so it is vital that we periodically connect with our loved ones. Socialization is beneficial for our mental wellness. If you’re going through a period of loneliness, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call. There is also always Zoom, one of the most commonly used video platforms today. Set up a Zoom call with several members of your family and friends to reconnect personally.
Find the Best Treatment Options for You
If you’re an African-American woman going through a mental health problem, it might be best, in some cases, to consult a medical professional that could relate to you. This could be a female mental health specialist or one who is African-American. Unfortunately, African-American women reportedly make up less than 5 percent of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.
So how do you choose the right mental health specialist for you? One expert recommends finding a provider who can relate to you and your circumstances. It may not necessarily be a female mental health specialist or a Black specialist. What’s more important is finding one that is committed to finding the right diagnosis and mental health treatment for your condition.
While we all must protect our mental health during these hard times, African-American women must do so as well. We at Step up for Mental Health have all sorts of resources for women of color on our website. Visit our Resources page for an extensive directory list of our mental health services.
