How Black Men Can Stress Less and Live Longer: AN EXPERT PROVIDES TIPS ON HOW TO CHANGE THE TIDE
We don't generally think of all the stressors of being both Black and male in America. From societal expectations and disproportionate health risk factors to threats of harm and discrimination, Black men encounter a myriad of stressors on a daily basis. And when Black men are primary caregivers, brothers, uncles, husbands, fathers, and/or heads of households the amount of stress they encounter can be compounded.
Why the Black Community Still Needs Mother Nature
Most of us have heard that getting some sun or taking a walk outside will do us some good, but most of us would see going outside as a “nice to do” and not as a “need to do.” However, just as we need oxygen to breathe, we need exposure to nature to be our best selves.
Black people have a history working in harmony with the natural world for not only food but also for medicine. Ceremonies were built around the harvest seasons, food was eaten in season, and religious rites were performed to honor the land, rivers, and oceans.
Black Teens are Dying by Suicide: Learn to Identify The Warning Signs and Support The Mental Health of Teens in Your Family and Community
When we assess the health of a community, we have to look to the most vulnerable members—seniors and children. Alex Haley, author of The Pulitzer Prize winning book, Roots said, “We will die without our young people.” We look to the next generation to continue the work of those who came before, and we look to young people to build lives that will inspire hope for those who will come after. If there are no children to build or inspire, then our communities and the lessons of our past will die.
Time to Talk: How the Black Community Can Embrace Mental Health Conversations
“Time to Talk Day '' kicked off at the beginning of this month, and when we think about all there is to talk about in our homes and in our communities, we know one day is not enough time to talk about what’s needed to heal generational trauma. But it’s a start. In the Black community, it is no secret that we’ve had a complicated relationship with the mental health industry. Historically, we didn’t see ourselves as part of the population that “talked about our business with strangers” or spent time talking about a past we couldn’t change. We saw therapy as something other people did and believed the best way to overcome obstacles was to show strength. We didn’t let certain things “get us down” and we “kept it moving.”
Making Reclamation Our Proclamation: How Communities of Color Can Reclaim Calm and Wellness in 2024
As we approach an election year in the midst of international unrest and daily updates of genocide, it’s very difficult to stay positive and think of individual goals or resolutions. Communities of color face unique challenges and systemic barriers that affect our overall sense of calm and wellness. And the constant hot takes on social media platforms intended to inform, do not often lend to a sense of calm. Witnessing countless examples of racism and violence against people of color with an unclear path on the best way to advocate for equality and justice for all can be exhausting. One thing we can do today is commit to helping empower our communities by supporting and advocating for our joy, inner peace and well-being.
The Benefits of Choosing Reflection Over Resolutions
As the end of 2023 approaches, many of us have our sights on our goals for 2024. For some, creating vision maps, setting goals and making resolutions has become a tradition for the start of a new year. However, the traditional approach of setting resolutions often falls short, leading to frustration and feelings of failure. Instead of focusing on resolutions, consider the power of reflection as an alternative approach.
Keeping it All Together: Tips for Balancing Life, Work, and Relationships During the Holiday Season
If you live in the US, you started hearing the words “holiday season” in October, and your response was either excitement, dread, or a bit of both. This time of year often means gathering, gifting, or getting out of town. It also means being bombarded with advertisements, travel offers, and gift buying guides asking you to make “this” holiday season your best ever. But what happens when the holiday season that often comes with anticipation and excitement, also drags a bag of stress behind it?
This Is What’s Missing In Your Dating Equation
For most people, the old ways of meeting a person, dating, and falling in love are no longer adding up to living happily ever after. More people are turning to dating apps like Tinder and Hinge to see if they can find their perfect match. According to a 2022 Pew Research, approximately 300 millions people use online dating platforms. Unfortunately, out of the 42% of the dating site users who aim for marriage, only 13% get engaged or married from the platform.
Five Ways to Make Your Mental Health a Priority
Most will agree their mental health is important, but many take for granted how fragile it can be. It doesn’t take much to throw us off center in the midst of trying to manage daily stress and countless competing priorities each day. Additionally, unprecedented levels of stress and feelings of uncertainty has put the mental health of many under threat. And although we know we should put time into staying both physically and mentally fit, taking care of our mental health is often easier said than done.
Humor Doesn't Heal, But Sometimes Joy Can Help
Laughter is a way to express pleasure or display our sense of humor. We laugh when things are funny, we laugh when we're experiencing joy, and we laugh when we see our experiences reflected back in a new way. Laughter can help us release tension in a moment of anger or lift us out of the sinking feeling of sadness.
No Mother Ever Wanted A Legacy of Trauma
Mothers birth more than children. They birth a new possibility for a community. Mothers carry the legacy of history and culture and often dedicate more time to maintaining a household and rearing children than they do caring for themselves. Mothers are the first teachers of children. They show them how to see the world as it is or as it can be.
How a Good Night’s Sleep Can Create Peace of Mind
Maybe you don’t track the amount of sleep you’re getting each night, but for sure you feel the effects of not getting enough of it. Many wonder, “Does sleep relieve stress? The answer is yes.
According to research, people who sleep experience less stress and anxiety and people who don’t get adequate sleep suffer from three times the amount of mental distress. Our bodies and minds need a break and sleep is the most natural way for us to get it.
EXPRESSING LOVE BEYOND YOUR VALENTINE
Each February we celebrate love, and Valentine's Day is a great reminder that we often take for granted the love in our lives. But it's important to remember that romantic love isn’t the only love that deserves our attention. There are many kinds of loving relationships that often get forgotten about in the rush to have a picture-perfect evening with a special someone. Having a romantic love in your life is worth celebrating, but what about all the other forms of love?
Understanding the Power of Your Relationships Can Change Your Life
We all know that it’s important to have a strong support system, but what does that really mean? And, how do you get one if you don’t have one? Feeling supported comes down to the people in your life and how they make you feel about yourself and the world around you. What most take for granted is that a key part of our mental health is connected to how we interact with the people in our life. Having a support system has more value than you think and investing in improving them can pay off in a variety of ways.
Time to Talk Solutions: How to Talk About Your Problems and Make Progress
We’ve all been in the place where we need to call someone to vent after someone made us angry, took advantage or was ungrateful. And If you've ever been hurt or wronged in some way, you often feel better after telling a close friend or family member.
Finding a Mentor Could Be The Best Decision You Make All Year
Kids without strong family role models are often referred to mentorship programs to fill the gap. But if you’re an adult, many don’t think to make the same recommendation. But they should. Because our relationships with our family and friends are the most important relationships in helping us feel seen and supported, they can also make a big impact on our mental and relational health.
3 Ways Black Couples Can Increase Intimacy
When we think of intimacy, we probably don’t think about our history. But our racial, social, emotional and relational past can impact our present relationships and how we practice intimacy. Most don’t realize that intimacy is informed by many factors, including how our parents and our grandparents practiced intimacy, which can directly or indirectly inform how we relate to our romantic partners.
The Pitfalls of Preaching Positivity
We’ve all been there where what you need is to express how you feel and what you get is a bumper sticker statement like, “Try to focus on the positive.” Sometimes no matter how well intentioned a statement like this is, it’s far from helpful at the moment. Instead, it feels like someone is trying to dismiss your feelings. Sometimes everything isn’t okay, and we shouldn’t have to pretend that it is.
IF YOU’LL BE GRIEVING THIS SEASON, TRADITIONS CAN TRIGGER SADNESS
The first holiday season after a loss of a loved one can be rough, but there may be ways to manage the heartache.
For the past few years most of us have had to deal with the fear or the reality of losing a friend or family member. And although there isn’t much talk about it, people are still dying from Covid-19. According to the Center for Disease Control, as of April of this year, the death count for those lost to Covid-19 was 1 million. But despite enduring losses from the pandemic, the fact is, people die every day. And although we know this, it doesn’t make it any easier to cope
THE CHANGE OF SEASONS CAN BRING ON DEPRESSION - KNOWING THE SIGNS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS CAN HELP
It’s so hard to say goodbye to summer. For many of us it means saying goodbye to the official season to travel, spend more time with family and enjoy afternoons at the beach. But for people who struggle to find the bright side of things, the return of fall and winter also means a return to inner darkness and feelings of deep sadness. If you find yourself falling into a funk around the same time every year, you may be experiencing symptoms of seasonal depression.
Reminders Every Strong Black Woman Needs
“Black women are dope” Is a t-shirt, a motto and an understanding. Black women are magic, and we prove this time and time again. Black women are revolutionaries, fashionistas, and leaders in their homes and communities. And If you identify as a Black woman, then you know holding this title comes with a cape. Because beyond all the things said about Black women, the loudest thing we hear is “Black women are strong.” And from an early age, Black women have understood they would have to stand up for themselves, save their day and often someone else’s day. And although this awareness of inner strength brings a certain level of confidence and pride, it can also create an unhealthy level of self-reliance and a lack of self care.
5 Common Reasons Couples Avoid Therapy and Why You Should Still Go
During times of trouble in your relationship, you may have considered counseling but didn’t follow through. You are not alone. According to research, there are some common reasons why couples avoid seeking out the help of a professional.
When Tina Turner sang, “What’s love got to do with it,” it was easy for people to sing along. Most can relate to being heartbroken or disappointed in a relationship that started with butterflies and “I love yous.” But it takes more than love to maintain a healthy relationship and love alone won’t help couples overcome obstacles together. Sometimes a third party and a new perspective can help bridge the gap. Unfortunately, some opt for separation instead of seeking intervention. Read More
Coping With Racial Trauma Means Learning a New Way to Swim
Surviving the impacts of ongoing racial trauma can feel like trying to swim with one hand holding a sink stone. You have to work twice as hard to keep yourself afloat, and it’s exhausting. Racial trauma sits beneath the skin of Black, Indigenous and People of Color, and it comes with an enormous weight that gets heavier each day. Because carrying the weight of generational trauma along with systematic racism and present-day racialized violence is a struggle. And struggle equals stress. And stress puts your ability to thrive in jeopardy. Read More
Knowing Your Attachment Style
Will Not Save Your Relationship
Maya Angelou said, “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” But sometimes it's a struggle to stay hopeful in a relationship when you don’t always feel the love and doubt the strength of the bond. You can’t overcome barriers with your spouse or romantic partner if you can’t see eye-to-eye on how to connect and show intimacy. Sometimes incompatible attachment styles get in the way of feeling loved, safe, and supported. Read More
When to take your child to a therapist: Knowing the signs can help turn things around
Regardless how fine your child may look, it may not reflect what is going on inside. We've all seen small children fall and quickly get back up again like nothing ever happened. We smile at their resilience and expect them to get back up again the next time they fall. But if a child falls off a bicycle and breaks an arm, the smiles disappear and there's a quick trip to the emergency room. Yet, when the injury is invisible, it can be hard to recognize when a trip to the doctor is necessary. Read More
How to Show Up for Your Children
Without Losing Yourself
It’s hard to overstate how important it is to protect our children and help them navigate life’s challenges. Some children are dealing with trauma or facing difficult circumstances far outside their control. They need their parents, but they also need a community of adults they can turn to when they need them. Read More
Try Meditation and Reap the Benefits
When we think of meditation, we often envision someone sitting with their legs crossed on the floor with their hands together and eyes closed. And, yes this is one way we can approach meditation, but it is not the only way. For many, meditation is a spiritual practice that has been a part of their religious culture for thousands of years. Prayer is a form of mediation. But, you do not have to follow any particular type of religious tradition to reap the benefits of the practice of meditation. We can all use mediation as a way to not only heighten our spiritual life, but to also de-stress, slow down our thoughts, and calm our emotions. Read More
The Grief We Don’t Acknowledge is Still Real
We are in year two of the pandemic. Many people are moving on with or without masks. Some are attending or hosting in-person events and braving large crowds without concern. What were once empty streets are now bustling with activity. But, whether we want to acknowledge it or not, Covid-19 is still here, people are dying, and many are still grieving. It is still a scary time. As of October 18, 2021, over 700k people were lost to covid-19 in the U.S — now a leading cause of death— and researchers estimate that for every one person lost, there are nine left in mourning. Still, the ripple effects caused by these losses are hard to measure. READ MORE
The Grief Toll of Breast Cancer Hits Different During a Pandemic
You either know someone who has fought breast cancer or you know someone who fought beside someone with it. And, if you have lost a loved one to breast cancer, you know all too well the grief that follows. There is sadness, but there is also anger. If you have lost someone to breast cancer, you want to know why. Why didn’t the treatment work? Why haven’t they found a cure yet? Why my friend, cousin, mother, auntie or sister? It is normal to question why and to experience a range of emotions when someone you care about dies. It is normal to grieve what we have lost. READ MORE
Pride Month is not only a time for rainbows
but for checking in on our community
June is the time for celebrating summer, Juneteenth, Men’s Health, and Pride Month. Facebook is using the rainbow background for profile pictures and for posts. Human rights organizations are hosting virtual dance parties, and people in cars across the country will wave their rainbow flags. LGBTQIA+ members, activists, and allies will march and celebrate in solidarity to boldly show pride in the face of those who insist there should be shame. READ MORE
When we prioritize our mental health, we can enjoy a clearer mind, a better sense of self, improved productivity and an increased capacity to manage unexpected change. The best part: Making adjustments to your daily life doesn't have to be difficult. Mental health experts weigh in to share practical ways to make your mental health your priority…