Black Women, Don't Forget to Center Your Well-Being During the Election

Written By Dr. Angelica Geter
Written by Dr. Angelica Geter
Audre Lorde said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
We must prioritize our physical, mental, and financial well-being as we lead and live through this election season. Black women across the country are uniting in support of Vice President Kamala Harris as she earns and secures the highest office in the nation, President of the United States. Historically, Black women have been at the forefront of justice movements. For over four centuries, Black women have been instrumental in preserving and establishing safety, health, and well-being for our families, communities, and the nation. Despite our survival, contributions and accomplishments, we must be honest and say that these periods of political turmoil and ongoing racism have cost us a heavy price: our health. 
In the latest edition of BEHOLD Magazine, I shared my firsthand experiences with the lasting effects of chronic stress. I prioritized my work for justice at the expense of my health and well-being. The chronic stress that I experienced turned into high blood pressure at 33, nearly suffering a stroke at 34, 30 lbs. of visceral fat, burnout, exhaustion, and so much more. While leading justice efforts to protect the health of my community, I forgot that my health and well-being were not a luxury but a priority. 
Through this experience, I learned that Black women under 35 who are treated for high blood pressure have triple the risk of having a stroke over time. “Nearly 60% of Black women in the U.S. have high blood pressure, compared to 43% of white women, 38% of Asian women, and 35% of Hispanic women.” Chronic stress has been directly linked to heart disease (a disease affecting the heart’s function and structure). According to the American Heart Association, heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death among women in the United States. For Black women, our risk for heart disease is layered by social injustice. Racism and gender-based discrimination, along with other socioeconomic risk factors, have led to health disparities spanning generations and resulting in chronic stress.  I underestimated the time, effort, and resources needed to recover and sustain my health. It has taken nearly a year of rest, boundaries, leaning into my community, and so much more to recover from the years of self-abandonment in the name of justice. 
Here are a few actions that you can take now to reduce your anxiety and stress during the election season: 
  • Listen to Your Body: 
    • Pause during moments of stress and check in with yourself. Be honest about your feelings, pause, and give yourself time to process the moment. 
  • Lean into Your Community: 
    • Find a trusted community to talk to about this moment. Find a trusted community that offers an opportunity to disconnect when necessary. 
  • Let Your Boundaries Be Your Guide: 
    • Be thoughtful and intentional about your news and media consumption. You are in control and can decide when and how you engage the world around you. 
  • Lead Your Way: 
    • It is perfectly acceptable to engage in politics when you have the emotional, physical, and financial bandwidth. 
    • It is perfectly fine to opt out when you require some time for yourself and need to protect your peace. 
As Black women living in a nation riddled by racism and discrimination, sometimes the decision to engage in justice work and politics is a choice of survival. Sometimes, it is the only answer because no one is coming to save us, so in turn, we choose to lead the work to save ourselves. 
Black women, we have always taken care of this country, whether by force or choice. This time, if we choose to answer the call once again, we must also take care of ourselves.
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Here are a few more election stress resources in the meantime. 
Resources
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References
Dr. Angelica Geter https://www.angelicageter.com