I am getting older and as you know, black women are more prone to various health issues and I’m taking the initiative to become more involved in my life regarding my health. I’ve learned that doing simple, basic things, is a great start to making healthier lifestyle choices. I noticed that when I talk to some women, they wait until it’s often times, too late to seek medical attention and receive treatment for their chronic health issues. Historically, our black culture was not provided with access to the best physicians, medications and food as Caucasians. Nothing has changed.
On Twitter and Facebook, I posted yesterday:
I love #SelfcareSaturdays it’s a perfect day to get your mind body and spirit together. Deal with your fears, issues, anxieties, or concerns. Read a book. Pray and meditate. Journal. Whatever you do, just take a few moments to take care of YOU.
If you follow me on social media or read Thursday’s blog, “My #SelfcareSaturdays Regimen”, then you know that I make it a point to take care of myself during #SelfcareSaturdays. I always love sitting in silence for 20 minutes while the face mask is working it’s magic cleaning and moisturizing my skin. Those 20 minutes of silence is exactly what I live for every week, and I don’t have to leave the comforts of my home to experience it.
Other than getting routine check-ups with your primary care physician, here are a few things I did on yesterday to take care of my mental, physical and spiritual health that you can try in your self-care regimen:
Read my devotionals and Bible for one hour
While my face mask was on, I listened to @divinehostess (Instagram account) podcast called “Protecting Your Mind.”
Connected with like-minded women on social media.
Read an article in Oprah magazine (Oct 2018) called “Getting Sick While Black” to stay abreast of health news in America.
Sipped on a cup of green tea w/ natural honey. (When you can, research the benefits of drinking green tea).
Took my daily vitamin.
Ate healthy all day (protein, fruits and veggies).
Read a few pages in a book.
Took a nap. Your body needs proper rest.
Attended a focused writing group and did some writing for one hour in silence.
Took a walk and enjoyed nature.
Journaled for ten minutes non-stop.
Had a glass of red wine. To wind down from a long day, red wine is great!
Doing those simple things, makes my life easier and you can easily do any of the things I mentioned above, throughout your everyday life. If you are dealing with serious mental or physical health issues, consider seeking professional help, now. Don’t suffer in silence. Take five to ten minutes out of your day and do something for YOU, that’s how you can take better care of yourself. Join a Facebook support group to engage more with other people who experience similar things as you or enjoy what you enjoy in life.
I’m in my late 30’s so my health concerns are different now than what they were when I was a child or as a young adult. I’m learning that I am what I eat. I incorporate a healthy diet mostly because I don’t care for sweets and fried foods naturally. I enjoy more baked foods and I’ve been a veggie lover since I was a child so it comes natural to me to purchase fresh veggies at the grocery store instead of processed can goods. Although I don’t like the size of my multi-vitamins most days, I enjoy knowing that I’m making sure that I’m getting the most needed nutrients to maintain a healthy body, daily.
There’s no great regimen for how to take care of you, only you can determine that. It will take some trials and errors, hard discipline until it becomes natural to you and your body will appreciate you for it, trust me.
What are you doing to take better care of yourself? Post your responses in the comments.
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