3 Ways Black Women Can Reclaim Their Relaxation

The unrealistic expectations on Black women to heal themselves and their community adds a difficult balance to understanding self-care and resistance. 

How can you take care of yourself when you are also taking care of everything else?

There are exterior stressors that many seem to think we can solve and there are interior pressures that make it hard to slow down, to heal and to decompress. As America continues to regress Black women are suffering. Recent reports about drops in Black women’s unemployment has some worried about the effects of those affected and the greater economy. 

Change makes looking to the past more essential. In some cases the rejection of rest comes from America’s history of violence and consumerism. 

The Nap Ministry’s Tricia Hersey says Black women should “subvert the narrative of productivity at all costs and embrace rest as a healing spiritual practice,” as a way to reject the convoluted legacy of ‘hard work’ in our history. 

A war on rest makes finding rhythm and relaxation essential to be healthy and grounded.  

Here are three tips for Black women looking to practice self-care.

1. Find community. 

Often the worst side effect of a difficult time is feeling alone. More likely than not, many people are feeling similarly. Connect with people who are on similar self-care journeys.  

2. Go beyond “self-preservation.” 

In her book of essays “A Burst of Life” Audre Lorde wrote, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” Calm is impossible if you are always trying to catch up, instead be proactive with your peace. 

3. Find a balance. 

Sereatha Brooks Blackwell, a mother and teacher based in Seattle, said political chaos “doesn’t mean ignoring the challenges in our country,” instead “we must refuse to let it take away our ability to take care of ourselves.” Checking out from the realities of the world is impossible, but taking moments to disconnect is essential.