Self Care for BIPOC Women

What is self-care and why is it important to you?

We constantly hear the term “self-care” used, but what exactly does it mean and why does it matter? Fundamentally, self-care is taking the time to do things that will benefit and improve your overall way of life, both physically and mentally. Engaging in consistent self-care can reduce stress and anxiety, while increasing physical well-being, self-esteem, and strengthening relationships. When we incorporate an intersectional lens into our concept of self-care it becomes that much more important.

Black, Indigenous, People of Color are constantly navigating systematic racism and oppression throughout their daily lives, overlapping with the other stressors they deal with. Self-care is a necessity when it comes to mitigating not just these daily stressors but the trauma that has built up over time. As Persons of Color are not awarded the same sorts of luxuries that non-minorities make use of, self-care is a way of taking ownership of whether or not daily life will become enjoyable instead of just a chore to be muddled through. 

How do we practice self-care?

Self-care is an individual approach that works for you; there is no one size fits all. Effective self-care varies from person to person meaning it can often reflect an individual’s culture, community, and values. Whatever practices and routines you find that support your health and wellness are what you should do, because self-care is about you. 

Scientifically, all organisms are naturally behaving in ways that help them to achieve homeostasis or equilibrium. The self-soothing practices involved in self-care are a large contributing factor to a human being’s equilibrium. By virtue of the systems put in place to keep the hegemonic parties, largely white, Christian, cisgender men on top, women of color inherently have to work harder to achieve homeostasis for themselves because the world definitely will not be doing it for them. This is why self-care is that much more important for BIPOC women, because if they don’t care for themselves, who will? 

Despite the media portraying certain self-care practices as unessential and a waste of time, these often simple acts do wonders for a person’s day to day functioning. Waking up and making your bed, doing your hair, lighting a candle, reading a book, or even playing a game on your phone in between the stressors of your day can greatly impact how you react to those stressors. Self-care can both serve as a reward for dealing with the more unsavory bits of life as well as a reminder that there is more to life than those unsavory bits. 

Here are a few dimensions of self-care for you to focus on to get started:

• Physical Wellness: maintaining a nutritious diet, regular exercise, establishing a healthy sleep schedule

• Emotional Wellness: Stress management, practicing compassion, allowing yourself to feel 

• Spiritual Wellness: incorporating prayer/meditation into your daily routine, journaling, breathing exercises;  
• Social Wellness: staying connected with friends and family; identifying and creating boundaries,

Try Group Therapy With A Black Therapist In Brooklyn, NY Who Can Help With Learning How to Practice Self Care Effectively!

It’s time to start being good to and for you. Consider investing in online therapy in New York now. Our anxiety and depression therapists are here to aide and guide you the journey to better self care. We are happy to offer convenient online services. When you are ready to start with SG Wellness, just follow these simple steps:

1. Contact SG Wellness
2. Talk with a skilled black therapist!
3. Start focusing on personal wellness. 

Other Services SG Wellness Offers:

Finding support for your mental health matters. Our therapists in NY are here for you and your needs. At our therapy practice, we have therapists who identify as black therapists, Latinx therapists, Dominican, & BIPOC. It’s our mission to offer multicultural counseling that serves you and your needs. We offer therapy for people of color, therapy for Latinx individuals, indigenous populations, and middle eastern clients, as well as therapy for men and women. If you’re looking for a safe space we are here for you.

Additionally, if you’re looking for another kind of support other than therapy for self-esteem we offer other services. Other services we offer include anxiety treatment and therapy for perfectionism, depression treatment, individual therapy, therapy for young and emerging adults, and individual relationship therapy. All of our services are offered via online therapy in New York. Areas we serve include Bedstuy, The Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn, NY. When you’re ready, let’s work together.