Oludara Adeeyo - Self-Care for Black Women : 150 Ways to Radically Accept & Prioritize Your Mind, Body, & Soul

Self-Care for Black Women

150 Ways to Radically Accept & Prioritize Your Mind, Body, & Soul

Oludara Adeeyo

Adams Media

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First Adams Media hardcover edition January 2022

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This book is intended as general information only, and should not be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. In light of the complex, individual, and specific nature of health problems, this book is not intended to replace professional medical advice. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions in this book are intended to supplement, not replace, the advice of a trained medical professional. Consult your physician before adopting any of the suggestions in this book, as well as about any condition that may require diagnosis or medical attention. The author and publisher disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this book.

Dedication

For my mother, who did not live long enough to experience the peace of radical self-care, and all the Black women who are dedicated to choosing their well-being above everything.

H ey, sis. You stressed? Girl, I know you are. Youre a Black woman in a society that constantly oppresses Black people and women. Youre at the intersection of these two beautiful identities, but youre forced to navigate a world that throws misogynoir in your face. That is, misogyny directed at Black women, where racism and sexism are at the crux of the mistreatment. *sucks teeth* Im tired just thinking about it.

So, ask yourself: When was the last time I practiced some self-care? Im talking about taking some time to do something that calms your mind, nourishes your body, and replenishes your soul. An activity or habit that helps you operate as the best version of yourself. I know. Youre thinking, Aint nobody got time for that.

But, sis, the real tea is, you cant afford to not make time for that. In a world that tells you that you and your needs do not matter, where Black women are expected to suffer in silence, and where Black women are disproportionately dying at a higher rate from things like heart disease and maternal-related illnesses, self-care is more essential than ever. It is both a form of resistance against these systems of inequality and your self-preservation. This is how you can actively fight back against a societal ecosystem that is hell-bent on beating you down.

Here, youll find 150 self-care activities specifically designed for Black women by a Black woman (hey, girl!) to cultivate and renew your sense of mental, physical, and spiritual wellness, such as:

1. Activate a connection to your familys history.
2. Create boundaries at work.
3. Release feelings of guilt around self-love.
4. Reclaim ownership over your body.
5. Embrace being Black and sensitive.
6. Practice radical honesty with yourself.
7. And more

There is endless joy that lives within you, and it is ready to be accessed and released. Self-care is an experience that is unique to each person, so no matter how you engage with the activities, there will be something that works for you in Self-Care for Black Women. Its time to lower your stress level, improve your overall wellness, and activate your Black Girl Magic. You ready? Lets go get em.

B lack women are phenomenal. We come in different shapes, sizes, and shades. Some of us are mixed-race. Some of us have strong roots that are linked to Latin American countries, as well as the Caribbean. Some of us dont speak a lick of English. Some of us have skin color that is as dark as a vanilla bean or as light as cane sugar. Throughout history, Black women have been the glue in their communities. We provide physical and emotional support to families, friends, and strangers. We band together to uplift neighborhoods. We teach. We nurture. We build. And while we accomplish great things, we are being killed silently, because we do not practice proper self-care.

To be Black in this world is to constantly struggle. If you dont live with it, then you see it. And sometimes, you witness and experience it. Its a global struggle that started with the transatlantic slave trade and colonization. For centuries, Black people have been looked at as second-class citizens of the world. Used for our labor. Robbed of our identities. Gawked at for our unique features. And even though slavery was abolished, the societal system that was created as a result of white supremacy still exists to this day. Intergenerational trauma persists. This is trauma that was passed on from one generation to the next through learned behaviors and emotions. Understand this: The system was built to exhaust and exclude Black people. It was not built to help us win, which is why wemy sistahsmust look out for ourselves and each other.

Get ready to learn about how you can take care of your mind, body, and soul. Now more than ever, you must pour back into yourself what you so freely give to others. You will be introduced to topics like radical self-care (actively putting your wellness before others) and race-based traumatic stress (your bodys response to mental and emotional damage). In addition, you will be given the tools to take back the power you need to put your wellness first.

Ever feel overwhelmed, worn down, and burned out but you cant really identify the cause? Let me introduce you to something called race-based traumatic stress. The stress you experience related to racism is hurting your healtheven the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed it. Most health issues in Black women can be linked back to some form of racism. Whether it be on a personal or institutional level, racism is a proven risk factor for death in Black people. For example, racism attacks when your pleas for proper medical attention are ignored in the hospital. It attacks when youre sequestered into neighborhoods that lack proper resources. It attacks when youre not given the same life-altering opportunities as others. An overload of stress like this traumatically impacts your overall wellness. Your mind, body, and soul become so overwhelmed that these three vital areas of your life are unable to properly function. Hence, the need for self-care. Attending to yourself when you are experiencing traumatic stress is essential to maintaining your well-being.