I just found out that August is Global Black Mental Health Awareness Month. It seems like anything can be a month these days. This one is new, and it was formed by some Black organizations, not a government agency. And the most important part, it matters to us. Black Therapy Central, BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective), Black Mental Health Alliance, and others came together and decided this is what we need: a Global Black Mental Health Awareness Month. And when I heard that, I thought, I agree.
Our mental health is important, and it’s particularly important for Black women, who take care of so many other people that we forget we must take care of ourselves too. Our mental and emotional wellness can so easily get put to the bottom of the list. Mental health deserves the same intentionality as physical health. Sometimes we can work on both at the same time.
Instead of just posting a graphic about Black mental health, I wanted to turn it into an action. I wanted it to be something that gets us to actually do something. For me, it should be more than thinking about it. We need to do something to change behavior. So here’s the plan: a challenge. Not something complicated. Something easy. Well, mostly easy. Really, something you could start today, or whenever you’re reading this. August is fast approaching the end, but we can still do something that connects our mind, body, and spirit.
And what better activity for SoulJoy Wellness than walking?
There’s a whole lot of science behind why walking is good for us. There’s a ton of good when walking in nature, walking after you eat, just walking in general. The NIH says just 2 minutes of walking after eating can help control blood sugar.
There’s more. It’s a great opportunity for connection, too: you can walk with a friend, a family member, anyone. It builds your cardiovascular health and strengthens your lower body. It gives you time for prayer, reflection, gratitude. Most of us, at some level, can walk. We might not need to buy any new equipment. However, good walking shoes will help. In any case, walking is a great way to start building a regular physical activity habit. And if you want more intensity, you can pick up the pace with some brisk walking.
5 Walks. 5 Ways to Wellness: A Challenge
For this challenge, we’re doing five different types of wellness walks. Each one is its own wellness goal for the day: a short walk, 10 or 20 minutes, or something longer. You choose what works for you. Here are your options:
- A walk to clear your mind: for your mental wellness.
- A walk for your soul: for your spiritual wellness.
- A walk and talk: for your relationship wellness.
- A heart walk: for your physical health and wellness.
- A joy walk: for your joy and happiness wellness.
Wellness isn’t just about eating clean or working out. It’s about eating better, meditating, going to therapy, praying, spending time with friends. All of it matters.
If you’re reading this on August 20th, you have 11 more days to get a walk in. If you’re reading this late at night on the 20th because I didn’t get this out early, you can still walk. You can even walk inside your own house.
Try to get all five walks in before August 31st. Make it your goal. This is your SoulJoy Wellness challenge.
It’s a good way to take in the last days of summer.
Drop a comment below and tell me which walk you’re starting with, the mind walk, the soul walk, the heart walk, the joy walk, or the walk and talk. Saying it out loud, even just in a comment, makes you far more likely to actually lace up and go.
Best,
Joy
