Three Things Black Folks Can Do to Improve Our Lives Part 3

Along with the commitment to mental health, we must also take charge of our physical well being.

Diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure,stress (the body’s reaction to carrying more than it should, thanks bell hooks)and cancer are just a few of the things that seem to attack us and take us out in grave numbers.

Black and male does not have to equal unhealthy and walking health risk.

Making our health a priority will be against much of what society says we ought to be doing.

I wrote about my hatred of and being terrorized by a doctor in my post Why HIV Infection Rates are Up for Young Black Men.

We allow ourselves to be bullied and silenced by things that matter.

Like a whole lot of black folks I know, I only make trips to the doctor when I’m in pain or something bothers me.

As a race, we have been socialized into believing that health concerns and any sign of physical need is sign of weakness.

Coupled with the racism that many doctors have not unlearned and you have a context in which care is unimportant and to request it makes you less than.

We must realize that it is our right to live and feel well.

At 45, I know many people ten years by junior and ten years my senior who are on a host of meds.

My mother was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure by a doctor who wanted to put her on meds.

My mother refused and instead countered with a response about whether or not there was an alternative.

She and the doctor designed a program that included exercise and slight dietary modifications (my mother is a strict vegan and only eats what she grows or trades with others).

Weeks later, the tests proved that the new program worked and there was no need for medication.

We are not obliged to a life of labored living and struggle simply because of our skin color.

Whenever I meet or talk to someone about health issues, there is always a correlation between either something they’re doing or something they should stop doing.

I learned a great deal about diabetes from my cousin and very close family friends. I was unaware that this disease can be managed by eating healthier (processed foods being the biggest issue here) and consistent exercise.

I thought it meant a life with no desserts.

High Blood Pressure ?

I didn’t know that laying off the junk food and salt along with moderate exercise once again would do the trick.

We also underestimate the stress brought on by our jobs, day to day life and of course our families.

Preparing for my recent wedding brought this little gem front and center.

Speaking with various family members (who all had opinions of what I should be doing or should have done) taught me some serious lessons in how to remove stress from my life, be clear about my expectations and not take care of grown ass people’s feelings and thoughts.

I took care of myself in familiar ways that I know work.

I did more walking during this time.

I talked with supportive friends.

I took more baths and prayed more.

To combat the inevitable weight gain (my response to stress), I stopped going on about not getting to hot yoga and instead starting walking on the track at my new job.

Based on American standards of what healthy looks like, few of us fit the bill.

As we make our physical and mental health a priority, there is nothing that can’t be accomplished.

More than unemployment, lack of education, racism and housing issues, being physically healthy with strong adept minds will allow us all to take on forces that threaten our well being and support others in doing the same.