Even with all the stresses that come with being Black in an anti-Black world, there’s still nothing better. That said, those stressors are a mother! And stress can do major damage to our minds, bodies and spirits.
Below, we present five major stressors (presented in no certain order) impacting Blackfolk. But by no means are the ones listed the only ones. Even things that can bring great joy (i.e. having a baby, retiring from the J-O-B, moving) have also been found to be some of the most stressful things we’ll face in life. But they are certainly not the only ones.
Check out this list below of top stressors and say “AMEN” for each one that has touched your life. And, oh yeah, we’re not gonna leave you hanging. Coming soon is our top 5 list of things to do to relieve stress!
5: Work-related issues / Financial difficulties
Job loss, heavy workloads, or conflicts with colleagues can lead to stress. This can affect your self-esteem, mental health, and overall well-being. One huge work-related issue is having no work/job, and that’s a serious issue. But even if you do, Blackfolk are notoriously underpaid, undervalued, under-promoted, yet over-worked. Thus, comes those financial difficulties and the stresses related to living life on the economic razor’s edge. Facing significant financial problems, such as debt, bankruptcy, or the loss of income, can lead to intense stress. This can affect your mental health, relationships and quality of life.
4: Major health condition
Being diagnosed with or undergoing treatment for a major health condition, such as cancer, heart disease, or chronic pain, can be very stressful. It can bring about fear, changes in lifestyle and financial strain.
3: A divorce or breakup
Ending a marriage or a long-term relationship can be one of life’s most stressful experiences. Along with the emotional turmoil of separation, there can also be legal, financial and child custody issues that compound matters.
2: The loss of a loved one
Losing someone close to you, like a family member or a friend, can lead to profound grief. This can result
in a range of emotions, including sadness, anger and confusion. It can disrupt your daily life and lead to depression or anxiety.
1: Racism, myth of white supremacy and general anti-Blackness
According to KFF, an independent source for health policy research, polling and news, ongoing racism and discrimination, police violence against and killings of Black people, and gun violence also negatively impact health and well-being of Black people. Black people’s repeated and chronic exposure to stressors associated with racism and discrimination drive rapid biological aging and poorer health outcomes. Black people are more than three times as likely to be killed by police than White people, and over the course of a lifetime 1 in every 1,000 Black men can expect to be killed by the police. This exposure to police violence has been found to have negative mental health outcomes for Black people. Black youth have also been disproportionately affected by gun violence, which can adversely affect the mental health and well-being of children.
(Sources: KFF.com and Calm.com)
