By Lee Woodruff — 2021
Light exercise, breathing techniques, even smiling can improve overall wellness
Read on www.aarp.org
CLEAR ALL
So many of the little rituals I have each day—like my makeup or skincare routine—do help soothe and/or rejuvenate me. For me, any type of solo practiced routine is good. But I’ve learned that self-care does not, and cannot, sustain me. And I believe that this may be the case for many of you.
“Even with these health consequences, we can see the benefits of taking a stand because people are fighting for what they believe in and protecting people’s lives,” Sumner said. “I don’t think the answer is to stop altogether. It speaks to how critical it is to engage in self-care.
Our culture has taught us that we do not have the privilege of being vulnerable like other communities.
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“I still eat rice and beans. I just use brown rice now,” said Annya Santana of Menos Mas, a wellness company that speaks to African-American and Latinx communities.
To understand how the term “self-care” has evolved, I dug into the history of the phrase. The term has origins in medical research, but its leap from academia to public awareness can be traced back to the Black Panther Party and Black feminist writers.
The pandemic was rough for Black and Latina families, but many women in these communities met the challenges head on.
Some of our favorite therapists on Instagram break down their favorite on and offline tips.
“The fullness of the Black Panther Party’s legacy […] can be seen everywhere in the wellness space.”
Candace Bond-Theriault says her work supporting the rights of others like her has taught her how and why taking care of herself is important, too.
Caring for ourselves is paramount.