Wellness seems to be the "it" buzzword of the day, but it's not something to take lightly. As Black women, it's important to be able to tap into what keeps us happy, mentally balanced, and all-around good. And while beauty and fashion are important aspects of life, there are a few trends we all should at least consider in order to not only stay on top of what keeps us ticking, but also upgrade out of the obligatory coach seat of that wellness journey.
Here are four trends that might be your perfect intro to a new way to approach wellness and meet the needs of that glow up you've been experiencing (or are set to achieve) this year:
Holistic Fitness & Wellness That's Personalized
When many of us hear the word "fitness" or "wellness," we often think of going to the gym, getting our usual physicals or pap smears, and making an appointment with a therapist. Today's trends take things a bit further, incorporating activities and methods that get beyond the usual preventative care and get more customized and personal, with vaginal and sexual wellness being a huge part of it. It's all about customized nutrition plans and workouts via apps like PlateJoy or Yummly or workouts tailored to your personal goals, unique interests, and a focus on self-love and care.
Hotels are also investing in offering sexual wellness retreats and spas that focus on issues like tapping into intimacy, utilizing fitness activities to combat postpartum challenges, and increasing arousal, a healthy part of both partnered and solo sex as well as relationships.
Suppositories and probiotic pills are nothing new, but Black- and women-owned companies are offering other innovations in products that enhance both inside and out, including The Honey Pot's Boric Acid And Herbs Suppositories used for balancing vaginal PH, Love Wellness's Probiotics Kits for intimate and gut health, or Kushae's Feminine Skin Balm made just for the skin in your nether regions).
Animal Support For Mental Wellness
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More than 25 million households added a new pet to their families during the pandemic according to a recent study, and many saw the emotional and mental benefits of having them. You might have heard of emotional support animals and raised an eyebrow in disbelief, but research has shown that animals positively affect your mood, balance, happiness, and empathy functions, especially for many still dealing with stress and anxiety related to the pandemic. (And in most cases, emotional support animals are part of a therapy plan spearheaded and monitored by a mental health professional.)
For dog-lovers, walking, running, swimming, and even doing yoga with their pets, for example, have been popular fitness activities that provide a fun way to not only stay active but ensure your pet is healthy, too. Playing games as well as utilizing pet-friendly fitness equipment are also other trends that add animals to your routine. And if a dog or cat is not an option for you, there are several other options that might be more feasible, affordable, and manageable based on your lifestyle. Caring for them can be a great way to ease your mind, add a calming routine to your day, and incorporate practices that contribute to your overall well-being.
Innovations In Menstruation
Cycle tracking and syncing have been found, in some cases, to have major wellness benefits and it's a trend that's gaining traction. It involves getting in tune with your body, finding out the best nutrition options for you, and keeping track of your menstrual ebbs and flows (literally) so that you can be better able (along with the help of a medical professional of your choice) to figure out any issues that might arise related to your period and reproductive health. This is well beyond just logging your cycles and tolerating them. Trends point further into empowering yourself, being more strategic, and figuring out the best plan of action to be your best self during your period.
Apps like Aavia (launched by a company that offers a Smart Pill Case, a smart device that helps you keep track of your birth control routine) have options for hormonal health solutions supported by femtech developments, and platforms like Hued provide a seamless and easy way to find Black and "culturally competent" specialists and doctors via a directory.
Maternity Tribes, Plant-Based Remedies & Connections
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From communities of Black doulas and maternity consultants to virtual and in-person mommy retreats and mommy spas, more and more spaces are thriving and expanding to give Black mothers and mothers-to-be the space to use their voice and advocate for one another and share healthcare and wellness resources. Apps like Meet Akina also provide connection and networking opportunities for moms. While there's still more work to be done to address maternal health and the disparities Black women face in the areas of premature births, stillbirths, and horrific hospital experiences, this is one trend that's growing more.
Vaginal personal care products like Ebi's plant-based oils and herbal bath mixes are being touted as great additions to one's day, weekend, or nighttime bathing routines especially those related to postpartum wellness, and vulva care is also on the agenda, with companies like Private Packs offering discreet hot and cold remedy methods for relaxation, pain or inflammation.
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Why can’t (more) singles just be single and be okay with that? Good Lord. Why does there need to be some sort of relational play-on-words to make it sound like we’re with someone — even if we’re not?
Now masturdating? Even though it’s not even close to being a “real” word, it’s something that also brought a laugh outta me — although it was then followed by a genuine smile. The laugh because I almost immediately caught the play-on-words. The smile was due to the intention behind it all.
If you’re not familiar with what masturdating is and you’re curious about why you should even care, take a few moments to at least skim through what it’s about and why I think participating, as a single person, is a pretty cool (and effective) concept.
@knotlukas Masturdate: a date w oneself
What’s Masturdating All About?
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Masturdating. Okay, so let the word marinate for just a moment. What does it sound like? Yeah…exactly. And since a huge part of masturbation centers around self-pleasure, it’s cool to explore how “self-dating” could produce similar (as far as pleasure is concerned in a broader sense) results. Because masturdating is all about spending quality time with yourself, pampering yourself, treating yourself— and yes, taking yourself out on dates.
Any of you who may think that masturdating is a consolation prize — and a pitiful one at that — for not being able to go out with another human being or get that dream $200 first date that social media was all in a tizzy about last year (bookmark that) — personally, I think that you’re the demographic who needs to try out masturdating first and the most. Why? Off top, I’ll share my three good reasons.
3 Reasons To Strongly Consider Masturdating
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1. It’s an intimate way to get to know yourself better. I’ve been working with couples for a pretty long time at this point and if there’s a pattern that I see arise, OFTEN, it’s that two people are oftentimes so busy trying to “find their person” that they didn’t even know who they were. As a direct result, they found themselves in a relationship with someone who only complemented the “kiddie pool version” of who they were.
That’s why it can be so beneficial to spend time getting to know yourself on the “deep end” of things: what makes you tick, what your passions are, what you want most out of life, what are your interests beyond obvious things — and masturdating can help you to discover all of this. Whether it’s traveling alone or taking out a weekend to drink some wine and journal, the more you get to know yourself, the clearer you’ll be about who complements you on a romantic and friendship level.
2. It will definitely help to boost your confidence levels. I guess since I’m an ambivert, I don’t really get why people freak out at the mere thought of going to a restaurant or movie alone. Personally, I think it requires a helluva lot more energy and gumption to wait around and plan stuff with other people (#Elmoshrug). However, whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert, there’s no way around the fact that the more comfortable you get with doing things alone, the more your confidence levels will increase — no, soar — because of it.
One article that I read on the topic said that doing things alone can make you more creative, improve your mental health, and help you to be totally okay with being alone (so that you’re not “needy” for other people’s attention). A psychotherapist from a New York Times article on the benefits of spending time alone said, “Getting better at identifying moments when we need solitude to recharge and reflect can help us better handle negative emotions and experiences, like stress and burnout.” And when you’re able to stare negativity in its face without flinching, how could that not make you bolder, more self-secure, and hopeful about your life?
3. It will teach you to value your time more effectively. In every facet of your world, you’re gonna operate from a healthier place if you’re operating from a “full cup” rather than an empty one. When it comes to this topic, think about it — if you’re constantly waiting on someone to call you to go out or wishing for a dream date with some guy, all you’re doing is wasting precious time that you could be spending taking a cooking class or hell, hiring a chef to make you dinner at your own home.
Indeed, waiting has two sides to it: when it’s in the form of patience, it is indeed a virtue, yet when it’s wrapped up in the notion that you’re not really living life unless you have an audience…it is totally working against you. Choose wisely.
10 Solo Date Ideas To Help You To “Master” Masturdating
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So, what if you’re someone who has either never considered actually masturdating before or you don’t really know what to do beyond dinner and the movies? Here are a few ideas to consider:
1. Attend a workshop or masterclass that you’re interested in. If there’s something that you’ve always wanted to learn, sign up for a workshop or masterclass. The cool thing about this option is there are probably some in your city, as well as some that you can find online (like here) that are convenient and affordable.
2. Binge-read at a local coffee shop. Aside from their coziness and oftentimes inviting scents, I once read that a lot of us gravitate to coffee shops because we can be around people without having to actually socialize with them. So, if you want to “hang out” while still being able to enjoy a bit of solitude, take a book that you’ve been trying to finish to a local coffee shop, order your favorite latte, and sit in a big-ass comfy chair. Usually, you can sit there for hours, and the staff will be just fine with it (another bonus).
3. Have a spa day in the next town. You can never go wrong with a spa day. And while going with a friend can be fun, sometimes there’s too much talking transpiring to be able to fully chill out and relax. So, go off of the grid, get a change of scenery, and hit up a spa in the next city (or town). There are lots of studies out here supporting that day trips or “daycations” can actually be really good for your long-term health and well-being.
4. See a community play. Some of the best solo dates that I’ve ever been on consisted of taking in some of the local arts in my city. What’s really cool about this particular option is, oftentimes, they are extremely inexpensive, if not totally free of charge (in exchange for making a donation or putting money into a tip jar).
5. Plan a trip. Whenever people say something along the lines of, “If you don’t expect anything, you won’t be disappointed,” I know that they low-key have some (additional) healing to do from past disappointments. There’s simply too much intel out here to support that anticipation (of good stuff) makes us more motivated and optimistic, keeps our dopamine levels up, and makes life more exciting overall.
Since traveling alone is more cost-effective, gives you the freedom to do whatever you want (when you want), and increases the possibility of meeting new people and having new experiences on your journey — why not devote a day this weekend to planning a solo trip? All the way around, it’s good for you.
6. Try your hand at your own “$200 date.” Uh-huh. Roll your eyes if you want to, but it’s real easy to talk left about how a man should be able to just drop $200 like it’s nothing…until you actually try to do it. So yes, while taking yourself out on this type of date could serve as a bit of a reality check, it can also “scratch the itch” of waiting on some dude to do it for you. It’s also way less emotionally draining because, at least when you’re taking your own self out, it’s guaranteed that you’ll enjoy the company…right?
7. DIY some pampering. When you get a chance, check out “5 Reasons You Should Unapologetically Pamper Yourself,” “Want To Love On Yourself? Try These 10 Things At Home.,” “I’ve Got Some Ways For You To Start Pampering Your Soul,” and “When's The Last Time You Actually Pampered Your Vagina?” The bottom line here is pampering is all about, not mere self-maintenance; it’s all about treating yourself to levels of EXTREME SELF-INDULGENCE. So, if nothing else tickles your fancy on this list, at least consider doing that, chile.
8. Feed your creativity. Something that I used to be really good at is art. That said, one of my goddaughters is insanely talented, so she has reminded me to tap back into it. Also, a big part of what got me into the writing world is poetry; I actually used to be a house poet at a local spot. Sometimes, my best quality time moments with myself have been revisiting these creative sides of me — and this is definitely easier to do (and enjoy) alone.
9. Try some stargazing. When’s the last time you took a blanket into your backyard, laid down on it, and just stared at the stars for hours on end? While some say that stargazing can teach you to be mindful, others say that being in that form of nature reduces stress, while others believe that looking up at the universe at night can increase your attention span. All solid reasons to give it a shot, if you ask me.
10. DO. ABSOLUTELY. NOTHING. Let me tell you something that nobody will ever be able to make me feel bad about: doing absolutely nothing. I’ve got data to back me up. Good Housekeeping shares that doing nothing can help you decide how you want to respond or react to certain things. I like howThe Guardian says that taking this approach helps you to regain control of what you give your attention to.
TIME magazine says that it can ultimately make you more productive.BBC offers up that it can help you tap into your ingenuity.Henry Ford Health says that it can make you kinder and a better problem-solver. So, if you want to invest in yourself, do nothing sometimes.
Closing Thoughts from the Lovely Javicia Leslie
While some of y'all may know Javicia Leslie from being the former Batwoman, I discovered her back in the day from the indie series Chef Julian (and yes, "Julian" was right to say that "Mo" looks like Tatyana Ali...the real ones know). Sometimes I'll hop on her IG to see what she's got going on and this story popped up within a few hours of me penning this...so, I took it as hella confirmation.
TREAT YO SELF. WAIT FOR NO ONE.
WAIT FOR NO ONE. TREAT YO SELF.
RINSE AND REPEAT.
_____
Sooo…what kind of masturdating plans do you have for this coming weekend? While going out with others has its perks, hanging out with yourself has a ton of ‘em too. Enjoy!
No…for real. ENJOY!
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