A Black Man's Guide To Self-Care And Finding a Place of Peace
Self-care has become an empowering movement for our generation. These days, it seems like there’s always someone claiming to be in the “healing girl era.” An era full of aesthetically pleasing journals, hot girl walks, and the realization that maybe it wasn’t ‘them’; maybe it was your trauma. Somehow, society has turned self-care into a “female” movement. However, we must recognize that men, especially Black men, deserve to heal too.
Here are six easy ways in which brothers can include healthy practices to positively enhance and power through life.
Invest In Therapy
The word “healing” can be very intimidating. Especially if you were told to “toughen up” or “crying is for girls” for most of your life. Hiring a therapist can be a helpful start to unpacking those wounds for a safe entry into your healing era. There are many great therapy options for men, including Black Men Heal, an organization dedicated to providing Black men with free therapy sessions. They also offer group therapy options, which can be great for those looking to build community on their journey.
Write It Down
If you’re the kind of person who prefers to have a little privacy when it comes to dealing with emotions and feelings, then journaling might be for you! There are lots of journaling prompts to help you get started. In fact, A Healing Journal for Black Men Prompts to Help You Reflect, Grow, and Live With Pride by Danny Angelo Fluker Jr. provides an abundance of journaling prompts, affirmations, quotes, and calming exercises to help you throughout your healing. Who said healing couldn’t be done in private?
Get Your Legs Moving
"Hot Girl Walks" aren’t just for the girls! Men can go on Hot Walks too! There are moments when expressing our feelings cannot be put into words. Walking is a healthy way to process your feelings and burn off mental and physical stress. The other benefits of walking are increased energy, improved mood, and reduced stress and anxiety. So go ahead, put on your favorite playlist, and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you! We would even go as far as to ask you to consider adding a little frolicking and joy to your walk.
Join A Yoga Class
When Tristan Lewis and Andrew Smith were going through their share of trauma, they had no idea it would lead them to start an empowering yoga movement for Black men. The Black Men Yoga Initiative is a safe and inclusive space for Black men to practice self-care, movement, and enhance their overall well-being. Yoga classes are provided online for 60 minutes, Monday through Friday. Yoga can be a gentle way to make peace with the deepest wounds. Namaste!
Find Your Zen
Nothing says I'm now entering my “zen era” like a good meditation. This practice has been known to have a ton of mental health benefits. Managing stress, reducing negative emotions, being present, and increasing patience are just a few of the pros that will keep you coming back for more. There are many apps and YouTube tutorials that offer guided meditations ranging anywhere from 10 minutes to 60 minutes. Everyone’s preference is different, and there is no rush to become a full meditation master. In fact, just 5 minutes of daily meditation can significantly improve the quality of your life.
Take A Cold Bath
Cold baths are an up-and-coming trend that can cool off all your anxieties, at least for the moment. A morning cold plunge can be a great way to keep you in the present moment. It is important to remember that cold baths should be approached in increments. Taking short cold plunges anywhere between 5 to 10 minutes will allow your body to adjust to this daring self-care exercise. However, we do not recommend trying this self-care practice if you have a history of heart problems. According to Heart.org, “sudden immersion in water under 60 degrees Fahrenheit can kill a person in less than a minute.”
