Hi Byte Wellness Fam!
How are you feeling?

I’m in awe! Wondering why? Talk your way through this week’s discussion question, and you’ll see…

Discussion Question:

• Think about your parents, grandparents, etc. How they did approach stress in their lives?

Because of our marginalized identities in the U.S, Black women face a unique combination of health challenges. We’ve struggled against them for centuries, but the struggle isn’t our legacy.

Our determination to survive- even thrive- in spite of these challenges to our well-being birthed cultural attitudes and practices that directly and indirectly promote wellness. 

Get your invite to the next weekly #PhyteWellWednesday: text TEXT to 1(224)302-6224.

Our deep spirituality and sense of community and interconnectedness are just the tip of the iceberg. 

Now, we need to lean into those life-affirming and wellness-promoting practices as much as ever, when rates of preventable chronic diseases (like obesity and type 2 diabetes) continue to sky-rocket all over the world and especially here in the U.S.

Our salvation lies in our ability to call on that no-so-ancient wisdom and to adapt it to our current world. 

That’s exactly what we talked about in this week’s #PhyteWellWednesday Workshop. Check the video recording above to see how we dug into the discussion question on our call. 

During the workshop, most of us shared that we saw our elders use church as a major approach to stress. We couldn’t put our finger on what part of church made their load easier to carry. 

Was it the meditative prayer? Was it the wisdom of the scriptures? Or, was it simply the fellowship- being surrounded by friends in the congregation? 

We’ll probably never know how much each of those parts of church comforted, uplifted and encouraged our elders to face the world and its challenges.

But, we did identify themes that matched our 3 As approach to minimizing stress at the source.

Managing Stress With the 3 A’s

• Assess- Can I actually control the scenario I’m worried about? If I can’t control the whole scenario, what parts can I change in a positive direction?

The wisdom found in scriptures might have helped to remind them that while we can’t control most of life, we can control our own responses.

• Accept- If I can’t control the scenario, I’ll accept the outcome without turning it into a stressor.

Meditative prayer might have helped them accept difficult outcomes or approach challenges with a sense of calm.

• Affirm- Whatever I’m feeling is okay about the scenario is okay because I’m a human with emotions.

The social support of the congregation might have affirmed their experiences and their emotional responses.

Where in your life can you practice the 3 As? In your own religious or spiritual experience? Socializing with friends? Meditating?

Let me know how it applies!

Happy Healthy Living,

Dr. Wuse