By Megan SaylesAFRO Business Writermsayles@afro.com Although reducing stress and promoting well-being go hand in hand for many, it’s easy to confuse the act of “self-soothing” with what is called “self-care.” The former is typically reactive and occurs when a person engages in an activity to provide instant relief for emotional, mental or physical distress. The […]
Category: Health
Posted inBaltimore News
A time to balance: The importance of love, play, work and health
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com The pace of life is only picking up in today’s society, with technological advancements and increased productivity expectations. Many are finding that they need balance in their lives. “Gone are the days, for most people, where you have a nine-to-five job. You went to work, came back home, […]
Posted inHealth
Black advocates address social determinants of health
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Experts have long considered how racial disparities can play a part in the success or failure of achieving your best self. While Black people, like many Americans, make resolutions at the top of the year to address emotional, mental and physical health– they must also take into account the social […]
Posted inMusic
AFRO inside look: The benefits of sound healing
By Aria Brent AFRO Staff Writer abrent@afro.com Regardless of the genre, music plays a special role in the human experience by providing us with sounds that help define certain moments, feelings and occasions. Everyone seems to have a soundtrack to their life. Certain sounds can connect with and impact different parts of the body–even everyday noises can […]
Posted inHealth
A time to explore: Tapping into alternative forms of therapy
By Mennatalla IbrahimSpecial to the AFRO Whether it’s work, school, money or the daily hassles of life, stressors are all around us. While there’s no denying the need to integrate self-care into our lives, many have found that traditional forms of therapy don’t work for them. As a result, these individuals have instead turned to […]
Posted inWord In Black
Health: FDA proposes new ban on chemicals in relaxers
By Alexa Spencer, Word in Black The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a ban on hair-straightening and smoothing products that contain cancer-causing chemicals. Black women, who are historic consumers of the hair “relaxers,” may benefit most from the new rule if it’s adopted. The ban forbids the use of formaldehyde and other formaldehyde-releasing […]
Posted inPrince George's County News
AFRO inside look: University of Maryland students weigh in on balancing school, work and life challenges
By Nia Smith,Special to the AFRO This year, October 2 – 6 was recognized as Mental Illness Awareness Week. Originally established in 1990, Mental Illness Awareness Week was created to educate Americans on the topic of mental illness. On a college campus, mental illness is more prominent than one may expect. According to the American […]
Posted inHealth
Healthy recipes, meals and snacks to feed the mind, body and soul
By Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer The ancient saying goes “you are what you eat.” Given the type and prevalence of health disparities in the Black community, the old adage couldn’t be more true. This week, the AFRO’s special edition is focusing on self-care and tools you can use to improve your life and thrive– […]
Posted inFood
Transitioning to the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle for a healthier life
By Sandy Woods, Special to the AFRO Embarking on a journey toward a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle is a significant step toward a more sustainable and compassionate way of living. Whether you’re motivated by environmental concerns, ethical reasons, or health benefits, transitioning to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle can be a rewarding experience. Let’s explore […]
Posted inHealth
A time to explore: Tapping into alternative forms of therapy
By Mennatalla Ibrahim, Special to the AFRO Whether it’s work, school, money or the daily hassles of life, stressors are all around us. While there’s no denying the need to integrate self-care into our lives, many have found that traditional forms of therapy don’t work for them. As a result, these individuals have instead turned […]
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: The heart condition hiding in plain sight
By Wayne A. Pulliam The health of a community is often about connecting. Connecting with our neighbors, friends, and family to recharge our souls. Connecting with information that empowers us to make positive change. Now we need to get connected and work together to address a serious cause of heart failure called transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, […]
Posted inWord In Black
Mothers of color can’t see if providers have a history of mistreatment- but why?
By Sarah Kwon, Word In Black When Selam Solomon Caldwell and her husband learned she was pregnant last year, the stakes for finding the right OB-GYN felt high. Caldwell, a Black woman, had heard stories from family and friends of maternity care providers who ignored their requests or pressured them into cesarean sections without clear […]