Category: Self-Care

As a mom of color, you face unique challenges that can make it difficult to prioritize self-care. From the pressures of parenting to systemic oppression and discrimination, it’s easy to put your own needs on the back burner. However, it’s essential that moms of color begin to put themselves first and prioritize their own well-being. Here are some reasons why self-care is so important.

1. You can’t pour from an empty cup: As a mom, you’re often tasked with caring for others. Whether it’s your children, partner, or extended family, it’s easy to become so focused on their needs that you neglect your own. However, if you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for others effectively. Prioritizing self-care means ensuring that your own needs are met so that you can be the best version of yourself for those around you.
2. Your mental health matters: The stressors of being a mom of color can take a toll on your mental health. From the trauma of systemic oppression to the daily struggles of parenting, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and anxious. Prioritizing self-care means taking time to tend to your mental health, whether that means seeking therapy, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in other stress-reducing activities.
3. You deserve to feel good: As a mom of color, you may have experienced discrimination or oppression, which can make you feel undervalued or unworthy. Prioritizing self-care means recognizing that you deserve to feel good and taking steps to prioritize your own well-being.
4. Modeling healthy behaviors for your children: As a mom, you’re a role model for your children. Prioritizing self-care means modeling healthy behaviors for your children, demonstrating that it’s important to take care of oneself and prioritize one’s own well-being.
5. Resistance to systemic oppression: As a mom of color, prioritizing self-care is an act of resistance against systemic oppression. By taking care of yourself, you’re rejecting the idea that you must constantly put others first and sacrifice your own needs for the greater good. You’re demonstrating that you deserve care and attention, and that you won’t allow yourself to be marginalized or devalued.

So, how can you begin to prioritize self-care as a mom of color? Here are some tips:

1. Carve out time for yourself: Whether it’s 30 minutes or a few hours, make time for yourself every day. Use this time to engage in activities that bring you joy and help you relax.
2. Seek support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Reach out to friends, family members, or community resources for support.
3. Engage in stress-reducing activities: Practice mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or other stress-reducing activities. These can help you manage the stressors of daily life and promote relaxation.
4. Connect with others: Find a community of moms of color who understand your experiences and can offer support and encouragement. This can help you feel less alone and provide a sense of belonging.
5. Prioritize your mental health: Seek therapy or counseling if you’re struggling with mental health issues. This can help you manage symptoms and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

In conclusion, prioritizing self-care is essential for moms of color. It’s an act of resistance against systemic oppression, a way to model healthy behaviors for your children, and a means of ensuring that you can care for others effectively. By carving out time for yourself, seeking support, engaging in stress-reducing activities, connecting with others, and prioritizing your mental health, you can begin to put yourself first and prioritize your own well-being. Remember, you deserve care and attention.

With Love, Lakischa Smith

Meet Lakischa Smith, a proud mother and a dedicated public health advocate. With a Bachelor’s from Dillard University and a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University, she’s committed to sharing honest narratives about black motherhood. Lakischa believes in fostering sisterhood to combat the pervasive forces of white supremacy, and empowering African American women to be agents of change for future generations. She asserts that recognizing and addressing our community’s struggles is crucial, for healing is the key to moving forward. Armed with the power of education and a deep belief in collective action, Lakischa is determined to ensure that the issues impacting African American maternal health aren’t just seen—they’re addressed and resolved.

Healing and caregiving are part of the natural essence of the Black woman. From the dawn of time, Black women have been the ones who bring healing, comfort, and care to those around them. We are born nurturers and have always been throughout history.

But as Black women, we often put others’ needs before our own, forgetting that we must first care for ourselves before we can pour into others. It is crucial to remember that self-care is not selfish. It is essential to take care of ourselves first so that we can show up fully for others.

When we care for ourselves, we show ourselves love and respect. We honor our bodies, our minds, and our spirits. This self-care is necessary because it allows us to be our best selves, the ones who show up for our loved ones, and for the world.

If we pour into others before looking after ourselves, we may experience exhaustion, burnout, and even resentment. It’s like pouring water from an empty cup. When we take care of ourselves first, our cups become full, and we can pour into others from a place of abundance, love, and strength.

The practice of self-care can take many forms. It can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to breathe, meditate, or stretch. It can be as indulgent as a spa day or a solo vacation. It can be as practical as making time to exercise, eat healthily, or get enough sleep.

Self-care also means setting boundaries and saying no when we need to. As Black women, we are often expected to be the ones who take care of everything and everyone. But we must remember that we are not superheroes. We have limits, and it’s okay to say no when we need to rest, recharge, or prioritize our own needs.

When we care for ourselves, we set an example for others. We show our children, our partners, and our communities that it is essential to prioritize self-care. We break cycles of harm and neglect that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Self-care is not a luxury; it is a necessity. By prioritizing our own health and well-being, we show ourselves love and respect. We set an example for others and break cycles of harm and neglect. When we take care of ourselves, we can show up fully for our loved ones and for the world, pouring from a place of abundance, love, and strength.

With Love, Lakischa Smith

Meet Lakischa Smith, a proud mother and a dedicated public health advocate. With a Bachelor’s from Dillard University and a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University, she’s committed to sharing honest narratives about black motherhood. Lakischa believes in fostering sisterhood to combat the pervasive forces of white supremacy, and empowering African American women to be agents of change for future generations. She asserts that recognizing and addressing our community’s struggles is crucial, for healing is the key to moving forward. Armed with the power of education and a deep belief in collective action, Lakischa is determined to ensure that the issues impacting African American maternal health aren’t just seen—they’re addressed and resolved.

Meditation is a practice that has been around for centuries, and its benefits are well-known. For Moms of color, who often face unique challenges and stressors, meditation can be an especially powerful tool for improving mental and physical health.

Here are some of the benefits of meditation for Moms of color:

1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can take a toll on our mental and physical health, but meditation has been shown to be an effective way to reduce both. By practicing meditation, Moms of color can learn how to better manage stress and anxiety, and improve their overall sense of well-being.

2. Improves Sleep Quality

Many Moms of color struggle with getting enough quality sleep, which can have a negative impact on their mental and physical health. Meditation has been shown to improve sleep quality, helping Moms of color to feel more rested and energized.

3. Boosts Immune System

Meditation has also been shown to have a positive impact on the immune system, helping to strengthen the body’s ability to fight off illness and disease. This is especially important for Moms of color, who may face higher rates of certain health conditions.

4. Increases Focus and Attention

Moms of color often have to juggle many responsibilities and tasks, which can make it difficult to focus and pay attention. Meditation has been shown to improve focus and attention, making it easier for Moms of color to stay on task and be more productive.

5. Enhances Emotional Well-Being

Meditation can also help Moms of color to cultivate a greater sense of emotional well-being. By practicing meditation, Moms of color can learn how to better regulate their emotions and respond to difficult situations in a more positive and constructive way.

6. Lowers Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a common health concern for Moms of color, but meditation has been shown to be an effective way to lower blood pressure. By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, meditation can help to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

7. Increases Self-Awareness

Meditation is a practice that encourages self-reflection and self-awareness, which can be incredibly beneficial for Moms of color. By becoming more self-aware, Moms of color can better understand their own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and make positive changes to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

8. Improves Relationships

Meditation can also help to improve relationships, both with oneself and with others. By promoting emotional regulation and empathy, Moms of color can develop stronger, healthier relationships with their partners, children, and friends.

In conclusion, meditation has many benefits for Moms of color. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving sleep quality and boosting the immune system, meditation can help Moms of color to improve their mental and physical health. By practicing meditation, Moms of color can cultivate a greater sense of emotional well-being, increase focus and attention, and improve relationships with themselves and others. If you’re a Mom of color looking to improve your health and well-being, consider incorporating meditation into your daily routine.

With Love, Lakischa Smith

Meet Lakischa Smith, a proud mother and a dedicated public health advocate. With a Bachelor’s from Dillard University and a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University, she’s committed to sharing honest narratives about black motherhood. Lakischa believes in fostering sisterhood to combat the pervasive forces of white supremacy, and empowering African American women to be agents of change for future generations. She asserts that recognizing and addressing our community’s struggles is crucial, for healing is the key to moving forward. Armed with the power of education and a deep belief in collective action, Lakischa is determined to ensure that the issues impacting African American maternal health aren’t just seen—they’re addressed and resolved.