Wellness is a preventative, holistic, intentional, active process. The practice of personal choices towards the pursuit of activities and lifestyle for good health and well-being to enable living a longer happier life.
Two 50+ black inspirational women whose wellness journey has brought them into the limelight are:
Ernestine Shepherd, an 86-year-old American woman who is in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest bodybuilder in the world. She started sports at age 56 and is a classic case it is never too late to start a wellness journey. You can follow her story on YouTube.
Babette Davis, an American woman age 72 and a chef, became a Social Media Influencer shortly after her 70th birthday. Her wellness change took place at age 40 after eating a vegan meal. Not experiencing the usual after-effects, considering she had suffered for years with digestive problems, eczema, asthma and skin problems, this meal was the start of her journey. You can follow her story on YouTube.
Another inspirational black woman to be commended for recognising the stark health inequalities in the UK and worldwide is Abi Osho. A Holistic Empowerment Coach, she created ‘Soul Melanin Reconnect Freedom Sista Retreats’ for black women. On offer are one-day or weekend retreats in the UK and abroad. Far-flung venues have been Turkey, Rwanda and Tanzania. Check out her website https://www.soulmelanin.com
Wellness is interconnected and encompasses:
Physical Wellness
Includes exercise, proper nutrition and healthy sleeping habits. Physical activity or exercise to move the body which is crucial to maintaining healthy bones, muscles and joints. Aerobic activities such as yoga, Pilates, running, walking etc. that increase the heart rate to promote optimum health.
A healthy diet of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and appropriate calories is the fuel the body needs for energy to function properly. As per the coined phrase, ‘We Are What We Eat’.
Most 50+ black women no doubt have experienced the Caribbean Friday evening ritual as children, being given the bitter teas of Senna pod or Cerasee as a detox/cleanse and to prevent constipation. However, though black women utilize their parents and grandparents’ herbal (bush medicine) remedies for physical illnesses, this does not prohibit disproportionately being affected by cervical cancer; breast cancer; obesity, heart disease/stroke, hypertension, diabetes and almost exclusively sickle cell Anaemia.
Getting good quality 7-8 hours of satisfying sleep and following a set time routine going and arising from sleep is equally an important wellness rule.
Emotional Wellness
Is the ability to be self-aware, understand how behaviour comes across to others; have strong coping skills; live life with a purpose and ability to manage stress levels. Making time to relax, meditate, take a walk in nature, anything to find peace aids wellness.
With regards to stress levels, black communities have the added stress of Race-Based Traumatic Stress (RBTS). Racial bias, ethnic discrimination and systemic racism which is a collective historic trauma carried from one generation to the next. Educated by some parents, youngsters are made aware that this may become a part of their lives. Resilience is therefore able to be built over time as a coping mechanism. More importantly, our counterparts do not experience this stress, because their white fragility insulates them.
Social Wellness
Is how we interact with our community, building a support system of family, friends and professionals. The importance of setting time aside to be with family and friends. To seek out opportunities; willing to meet new people and do new things, but equally balancing social and personal time.
Spiritual Wellness
Involves our beliefs, principles and values, having a clear sense of right and wrong and acting accordingly. Prayer; helping our fellow man/volunteering; being humble and having compassion, all help to give direction and meaning to life.
Coming from a religious background, 50+ black woman’s religious faith plays a major part in their life, offering solace. Together with her heritage, community; the influence of role models, BFFs and a sisterhood group, all are invaluable to strengthening her indomitable resilient fortitude.
Have you been on a wellness journey? Would love to hear from you in the Comments section.
NOTE: Global Wellness day 2023 is held on 10th June
2 thoughts on “WELLNESS AND BLACK WOMEN”
Hello Ros,
I just read and thoroughly enjoyed this blog. Well done! I loved how you branched out to other areas of fitness…be it social or mental wellness- all very important factors to our well-being….thus taking a holistic approach for our overall health and general outlook on life!
Happy you liked the post, Anne-Marie.
Yes, Wellness is a holistic approach and one we should all implement in our life as a matter of course.