7 Mental Health Tips For Women of Color Entrepreneurs
Diffusers and eucalyptus branches are a great start but self-care during a global pandemic, and a national racial reckoning, requires a bit more self-defense. We recently hosted undivided We Rise, a virtual support circle, to foster community during today’s uncertain times where many of us women of color are stressed, and overwhelmed. We enlisted the help of mental health expert Dr. Sherry to facilitate a safe space for Black & Latinx women in our community to heal, have a voice and feel supported. Check out these seven tips from Dr Sherry that you can implement right now to improve your mental health.
- Ground Yourself With Gratitude
The middle of a raging dumpster fire might not seem like the best place to stop and count your blessings, but according to Dr. Sherry that’s exactly what you should do. “When so much is going wrong, it’s hard to remember what’s going right,” she said. “We need to take that time to be grateful.”
Having trouble? Keep it simple.
Look around the room and find something you have that you’re happy about. Your sheet mask, scented candles, and your DoorDash dinner all qualify.
2. Center Quality Connections
Like the world we lived in six months ago, our needs are completely different now. “We have to come together to support one another emotionally and in different ways,” said Dr. Sherry.
Don’t assume that you know how your friends and colleagues want to be supported. Ask. And be honest about which methods of connection work best for you.
For example, if you need to have the camera off say so, firmly, and don’t falter.
“As women, it is okay to say no,” says Dr Sherry.
3. Lean Into Your Experiences
Dr. Sherry advised rejecting avoidance and accepting your emotions so that you can best care for yourself. “Fear does not go away because you shut it off. You want to allow yourself to feel whatever it is you’re feeling and be okay with that.”
There is no weakness in fully absorbing your feelings.
“You don’t have to carry all of the weight of all of this on your shoulders,” she added.
4. Apply Your Professional Skills To Your Personal Needs
“Self-care starts with self, and as women we run on ‘E’ more often than not. We have to learn how to refuel,” said Dr. Sherry. Part of that learning process includes using the same tactics that you use to increase your productivity, and championing your ideas to carve out space for your needs.
Your calendar, Slack channel, and to-do list can all be used to enhance your quality of life.
“Understand and acknowledge that you have the ability to express yourself. You have the tools to do what you need to do,” said Dr. Sherry. “Schedule in self-care like you schedule in everything else,” she recommended.
“Rip out being apologetic. Figure out what you need to do emotionally to take care of yourself.”
5. Acknowledge Where You Are To Move Forward
“As you move forward, ask yourself to acknowledge the things that are holding you back,” said Dr. Sherry.
Assessment can be painful but it’s necessary.
Feeling like you can’t bring all of yourself to the workplace? Find out why that is and address it. “We’re in control of how we show up,” she said. She suggested asking ourselves, “What do we need to do so we can show up the way we are?”
“Get yourself in a position where you are clear on the direction and then can lead others,” she continued.
6. Lead From The Front
Be willing to buck tradition in order to achieve your goals. “Think outside the box in terms of what you need to do to move forward,” said Dr. Sherry. If COVID-19 has taught us anything it’s that just because it hasn’t been done before, doesn’t mean it won’t work. Consider another path. .
7. Don’t Assume You’re Alone
In every movement for social change, from #MeToo to Black Lives Matter, those bold enough to speak up have been joined by throngs of people willing to validate their experience. Using your voice can be scary but take comfort in knowing that you’re rarely experiencing something on your own. “A lot of times we don’t say anything because we don’t realize that there are sisters to our right or left who are feeling the same things,” said Dr. Sherry.
Don’t worry about being labeled “emotional”. Speak up, because what you have to say matters.
“I want each of you to know that you have a voice. I don’t care how wide or loud, you have a voice,” she added.
To learn more about digitalundivided’s community initiatives, check us out on www.digitalundivided.com. Join us on Friday, June 19th for even deeper discussion about the importance of mental health for female founders during our undivided We Rise Virtual Summit. Register here.
