Self-care is a priority, but the general approach to it has always been rather surface-level. Meditation for mental health? Check. An awesome nightly skincare routine before I go to bed? Check. Avoiding processed foods? Check. Exercising at least three days a week? Check, check, and check!
It can get pretty darn difficult to always be in tune with your body and keep up with the little signs it throws out at random. This is a shame, too, because we’ve got some special needs of our own. It doesn’t just stop at specific hair and skincare products, either.
A study has shown that Black women are more likely to develop certain conditions, such as:
- Heart diseases
- Hypertension
- Type-2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Breast, thyroid, and cervical cancer
- Depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses
Women of color also have a higher death toll because of these diseases, more than any other group, too. Another shocking fact I came to know of was that Black women are also more likely to get HIV and die because of it.
What this means is that we need to take better care of ourselves, because most of these conditions are easily preventable with good but little-known self-care habits. After some digging, I’ve rounded up five underrated and absolutely easy ways in which you can take better care of yourself – starting from today!
Embrace The Zen
Stress is probably the biggest reason why Black women have such a high mortality rate caused by these diseases. Stress often manifests into health issues, and one of its common forms is messing up your cardiovascular system by clogging up your arteries. Common mental health exercises like journaling and therapy work wonders, but they’re not always enough or even practical for some people.
Some other ways in which you can de-stress is by trying out some simple cognitive behavioral therapy exercises. You can even try out new hobbies, like experimenting with makeup, to help with your depression. The end goal is feeling at ease, so remember: nothing else matters more than you.
Passive Smoking Kills
Stay away from nicotine, and that includes secondhand smoke. Inhaling nicotine is not just bad for your lungs, but it also damages your other organs and increases your risk of developing heart disease. It’s also a well-known fact that nicotine is terrible for expecting mothers and infants, and since Black women are known to have complicated pregnancies, this could only make things worse for you.
Passive smoking is just as harmful as active smoking, especially if you’re always around a family member or a coworker who smokes frequently. Avoid public spaces where smokers are allowed, and steer away from people when they start smoking around you – or plainly ask them to not smoke around you.
Probiotics Make Nutrition Easy
Make probiotics a part of your diet to keep your gut healthy and your metabolism extra-active. Probiotics are basically brimming with good bacteria that have a variety of health benefits. They also boost your metabolism and reduce fat retention by your cells, helping you cut off the stubborn belly fat and also preventing obesity. Probiotics paired with a healthy lifestyle are guaranteed to show you some amazing results.
Keep Your Thyroid Levels In Check
In a study on how race affects our chances of developing thyroid cancer, Black people came in second with a 4.8% increase in age-adjusted incidence of thyroid cancer. The best way to make sure you don’t develop this condition is through regular checkups. You can even do an at home thyroid test to track any rapid fluctuations early on.
Get Into Social Butterfly Mode
Keeping your mind healthy is just as important as keeping your body healthy. Don’t forget to interact with your friends, colleagues, and neighbors to make sure that you’ve got a bustling social life. This will help reduce stress and make you more cheerful. You could even find a new jogging buddy or join the local fitness club or gym to turn fitness and socializing into one cohesive activity
And that’s a wrap! It’s easy to think that you’re strong and you’ll be able to power through anything, but remember – prevention is better than cure. Be sure to give yourself all the love and care in the world from today. That way, you can continue to be the awesome person that you are, no matter what challenges life throws at you.