6 Ways We African-Americans Can Raise Our Spirits Right Now

Inhabiting a Black body as citizens of the Untied States comes with challenges and stressors no one else can understand.

Now, due to the current corrosive political, social, and economic climate — in addition to a very deadly global pandemic — we African-Americans must do all we can to practice self-care and engage in practical, accessible strategies to protect our mental health and lift our spirits.

It seems like a tall order, but it can be done. The following are seven practical ways we can access peace, and yes, even joy, in order to restore and maintain our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Get out into nature

Take advantage of any natural resources accessible to you to regain a sense of calm and equilibrium. If you live in a densely populated area, visit a local park, or if that isn’t possible, make a few circuits around your block — while practicing social distancing and following any recommended mask-wearing recommendations, of course. Taking a break away from your four walls by stepping outside and getting some fresh air has many mental and health benefits.

Move your body

In conjunction with getting out into nature as much as possible, exercising on a regular basis also impacts your mental and physical health in a positive way. The many benefits of moving your body include: lowering blood pressure, strengthening your cardiovascular and respiratory system, increasing flexibility, reducing stress levels, and mood regulation. Even if you are in quarantine or practicing self-isolation, there are many exercise regimens you can perform at home to help keep your body and mind in tip-top shape. No matter your fitness level, there are physical activities tailored to fit your unique situation.

Relive moments that bring you joy

A powerful aspect of our minds is how our memories can transport us back in time to revisit previous experiences. Exploit this capability to relive joyful and happy memories. Pull out your wedding album. Re-watch vacation videos. Review precious photos of your children, relatives, and friends. Immerse yourself in media, such as books, movies, or music, you find joyous and uplifting. Since I’m a huge geek, one specific way I get a “joy injection” is by watching videos of Black YouTubers reacting to the trailers of the superhero film Black Panther. Seeing the excitement and pure joy on Black faces elicited by a movie centering a Black superhero with a majority Black cast reignites those same feelings in me— even though the film was released in 2018. Reliving positive and joyful memories is an effective tool in combating sadness and depression.

Practicing self-care is essential to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being as African-Americans. We must make it a top priority and commit to it with aggressive zeal. We must do this so we can continue to audaciously survive — and even thrive — in the face of the forces intent on preventing us from doing so.

Take frequent social media breaks

For many of us, social media is a crucial resource we use to connect with each other, organize, promote our businesses and artistic endeavors, and entertain ourselves. But there is a very toxic side to this 21st century means of communication. First, everyone with the internet and a connected device has a voice, including trolls and racists. Next, being exposed to these elements — as well as to the seemingly endless tsunami of negative news — can have detrimental impact on our mental health. Taking time away from social media is a critical form of self-care. Whether it’s an hour, a few days, or longer, take as much time as you need to step away from it all.

Connect with friends

While attempting to negotiate these very insane times, it can be very easy to allow our friendships to fall into neglect. However, the camaraderie, emotional support, and human connection our friendships provide is a vital anchor, helping us maintain solid footing in this turbulent world. Whether by email, text, phone call, or video chat, take the first step and initiate contact with your BFF(s). Chances are, you will be very glad you did — and so will they.

Practice mindfulness

Okay, so what exactly does “mindfulness” mean and what are its benefits? According to Greater Good Magazine, mindfulness is defined as:

…maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.

Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them — without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.

The ultimate goal of mindfulness is to be as fully aware of our present moment-to-moment reality as possible. Practicing mindfulness allows us to explore our thoughts and feelings without judgement, which has many positive benefits, such as a greater sense of self-acceptance. This leads to the realization that our thoughts and feelings do not define us — and neither is our worth and value determined by the perceptions of others. This is especially important for us since we have long been burdened with endless negative stereotypes designed to dehumanize and other us. There are many ways to practice mindfulness, and resources specifically designed to address the needs of Black people and other people of color are available.

Practicing self-care is essential to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being as African-Americans. We must make it a top priority and commit to it with aggressive zeal. We must do this so we can continue to audaciously survive — and even thrive — in the face of the forces intent on preventing us from doing so.