Friday, April 1, 2022 - Saturday, April 30, 2022

Stress can be debilitating, and it can cause and/or aggravate health problems. And since stress is a normal part of human existence — nobody is immune to it — it’s important to arm ourselves with knowledge so that we recognize when stress rears its ugly head. (Amazingly, we

don’t always notice it’s happening to us.) Stress Awareness Month happens each April. It’s important to learn some strategies for coping with this silent killer.

The Espresso Talk Today team has been discussing the pervasive stress of systemic racism on Black people. Mainstream health care does not recognize the stress that Black people experience from racism. But we know that it is causing high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, depression, insomnia, even early death. Black experts have discussed the importance of cultural identity, community connections, and other “non-traditional” activities as being effective against race-based stress. Meditation, exercise, and good nutrition are also helpful. And talking to a race-conscious Black psychologist is another effective way to control racial stress. It is real!