Upgrade Your Self-Care Game By Implementing This Simple Practice

Mar 31, 2019 09:35 AM +0000

We are stressed out. Millennials (ages 18 to 33) and Gen Xers (ages 34 to 47), according to a study by the American Psychological Association, are currently reporting the highest levels of stress, which isn't that surprising considering the economic, political, and social issues our generation is facing.

Since we know this, we have made self-care more than a buzzword and have committed to taking moments (or full days) to do a face mask, take a bath, exercise, or enjoy a night in with our girls. But what if I told you adding a simple practice to your daily life could help lower your stress levels while helping you sleep better, improving your intelligence, and even reducing your chances of getting Alzheimer's disease?

Yes, there is something that does all of those things that isn't a beauty product or a class, and you can do it anywhere.

The self-care practice is simply reading a book.

I know that reading might seem like an old-school way of getting information in the era of podcasts, Audible, and the growing lists of streaming services we use to watch our can't-miss television shows. But, there is no denying the mental health benefits of a good old book.

Studies have even shown that reading can be more beneficial to helping your mind and body relax than taking a walk or grooving to your go-to playlist. Lucky for us, there are many books written by women dripping with #Blackgirlmagic that we'll never run out of content that will not only help our imaginations soar but help keep our minds sharp and our stress under control.

Below are a few of my favorites.

7 Books To Read To Relax & De-Stress

Even if you aren't a follower of the Well Read Black Girl's online community, this collection of essays by black women will give you pause and a boost of inspiration.
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I grew up surrounded by Toni Morrison books thanks to my mom's love of reading. This book is a collection of Ms. Morrison's essays, speeches, and point of view on the experiences that have made her the iconic writer she is.
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Black Girl Bliss

The title of this book was enough to pique my interest but beyond the catchy title lies a book that one reviewer called "a friend in book form."
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With poem titles like "Taking Over for the '99 and the 2000" and "Big Sun Coming Strong through the Motel Blinds" (my music people will understand the references), this author's debut collection of poems will allow you to get lost in your daydreams.
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The title of this book may seem to tell you all you need to know about what's written on the pages, but with essays written by Kid Fury, Luvvie Ajayi and Lena Waithe, you'll take away much more than a shared love for our melanated Mona.
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Set in the '60s and '70s in the city of Detroit, Bridgett M. Davis takes us on a journey through her upbringing as a young girl growing up raised by an "unforgettable" matriarch.
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You'll laugh and cry as you read this memoir by our forever First Lady as it gives us a glimpse into the life of a woman that has endured great loss, love, and success.
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Featured image by Getty Images

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