According to an article written by Everyday Health, self care “includes everything related to staying physically healthy, including hygiene, nutrition, and seeking medical care when needed.” Simply put, the term self care refers to any steps a person can take to minimize their stress and maintain their health and well-being

Self Care is especially important for Black people and other marginalized groups. Racism causes higher rates of stress; high stress levels can lead to high blood pressure and inflammation that may lead to heart or kidney disease. Research has also linked high stress levels to more frequent use of drug and alcohol, smoking, and unhealthy eating Researchers found that many people of color who have experienced racism also experience mental health challenges like depression, emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts

A few doctor-recommended self-care strategies include: 

• Staying physically active
• Limiting social media and news intake
• Getting enough rest, taking breaks throughout the day

Living in a racist society, and constantly consuming traumatic stories and images of racial violence have a negative effect on Black people’s physical and mental health. According to the 2015 meta-analysis (a database from the National Institutes of Health), racism is twice as likely to affect mental health than physical health. With that said, it is important that Black people and other people of color make self-care a priority in order to maintain physical and mental health. Self care is most effective when incorporated into daily routines; it should be treated as a necessity and not a luxury.

Recap:

• Self Care refers to any activity or step a person does to minimize stress and maintain their mental and physical health
• Black people and other marginalized communities experience increased stress as a result of racism and consuming racial trauma, so self care is especially important for us
• Self Care looks different for everyone, but staying active, getting adequate rest, and limiting news intake are a good place to start

Take Action:

• Unlearn the idea that self care is a luxury, or selfish
• Check out Révolutionnaire’s Recharged Revolutionary Guide
• Determine which self-care activities work best for you, and try to implement them in your daily routine

Citations: