And I can think of many episodes I swung in Lincoln Park…
Almost 1000 people gathered in New Rochelle’s Lincoln Park for the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Celebration on Saturday, September 16th. Hosted by 2 Cool, PJ Splash, and Cuzin Corn, with DJs Pro C, Scram Jones, and Jazzy Joyce on the one’s and two’s as well as a special DJ set by DJ Supreme. There were many dope live performances from Mr. Cheeks of The Lost Boyz, Smif-N-Wessun, Stunna Gang, Pretty Hoops, Capella Grey, The Rough House Surviverz, and CL Smooth just to name a few. But it was obvious who the crowd came to see. There were a whole lotta emcees on the stage that Saturday, but just as the sun set, Brand Nubian came out and showed it was their house. The crowd was thrilled to see the hometown heroes swing another episode in Lincoln Park. Shout out to Nate Adams & Lachonne Williams (SuggarPlums) for putting together a great event to celebrate this monumental year of Hip-Hop. The mural above was done by Signature Savage. I’m told this may become an annual event!
City & State Magazine included MaryAnn Carr and former Congressman Mondaire Jones, who are both candidates in the 17th Congressional District. Liz Whitmer Gereghty, who served on the Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education in The 17th Congressional District was highly publicized after the redistricting controversy. The Democrats were accused of inauspicious attempts at gerrymandering, which didn’t just erase the political advantage the party hoped to gain before state courts stepped in to stop them and appointed Special Master Jonathan Cervas. The move led to several Democratic seats being lost, causing Dems to lose control of the House. The New York-based seats are of particular interest to House Democratic leaders, given their Biden-friendly lean and proximity to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ district.
One of the fallouts of the redistricting was that former DCCC head Sean Patrick Maloney decided he would run in Mondaire’s 17th district and Mondaire decided to run for the open seat in the 10th district. Both Congressmen lost. Now former Rep. Mondaire Jones launched a comeback bid for New York’s 17th District in July, seeking to return to Congress after redistricting led to him running unsuccessfully for a different seat last year.
Jones, who was elected in 2020 and served one term, opted not to run for reelection in the 17th District in the New York City suburbs last year after one of his Democratic colleagues, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, decided to run in the redrawn district. Maloney, who chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee last cycle, lost to Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in November. Jones faces competition for the Democratic nomination to take on Lawler, but he represented much of the district when he previously was in the House.
The race for the seat is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country next year. Biden would have won the district by 10 points in 2020, and both parties view it as a priority as they fight for control of the House.
“Growing up, I didn’t see people like me in Congress. Then I was elected to represent the same people whose homes I watched my grandmother clean,” Jones says in a video announcing his campaign. “I have never been Washington’s choice because I stand up to corruption.”
When he was first elected, Jones made history as one of the first two openly gay men of color to be elected to Congress, and he was immediately endorsed on July 5, 2020, by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. For the first time, Westchester County had two Black Men representing them in Congress. The other is Congressman Jamaal Bowman who unseated longtime Congressman Rep. Elliot Engel to represent CD16.
Many residents of CD-17 were sad to see Jones not run for re-election in his district. In 2020, Mondaire was elected to Congress to represent the Hudson Valley. His colleagues unanimously elected him the youngest member of House leadership, and he was named the most legislatively active freshman in Congress.
Mondaire was part of the most productive Congress in modern history. He took on the pharmaceutical companies, lowering prescription drug prices for thousands of seniors on Medicare in the Lower Hudson Valley. He negotiated the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is bringing tens of millions of dollars to rebuild our roads and bridges, and passed the American Rescue Plan Act, which kept our small businesses open and brought hundreds of millions of dollars to the Lower Hudson Valley for schools, housing, and health care.
Jones will face Liz Whitmer Gereghty, the Westchester County-based cousin of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and former Bedford Supervisor MaryAnn Carr, the only two Democrats to announce so far. City & State Magazine wrote, “MaryAnn Carr has spent the longest time in government, sitting on the Bedford Town Council since 2016, although she lacks the name recognition of her rivals.”
While Carr may not have been elected a congress member like Jones or have a well-known cousin who serves as Governor like Gereghty, we have to disagree with City & State about Carr’s name recognition in Westchester County where it matters.
Actually, until City & State Magazine included her on the list as a congressional candidate, I did not know who she was, that she was running for congress, or that she was the cousin of the Michigan Governor. Many people of color in CD-17 are just hearing her name for the first time as well. (Since this article was published in the August 15, 2023, Six-Year Anniversary Issue, City & State updated their article.)
So who is MaryAnn Carr? MaryAnn Carr made history as the first African American to serve in an elected office in local government in Bedford when she was elected in a special election on March 15, 2016, for an unexpired seat on the Town Board and elected to a full 4-year term beginning in 2018. MaryAnn was sworn in as Town of Bedford Supervisor, on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, after Chris Burdick’s election to the New York State Assembly created a vacancy in the seat of the Bedford Supervisor.
At their organizational meeting, the Bedford Town Board appointed Town Councilperson and Deputy Supervisor MaryAnn Carr to the position of Supervisor to fill out the term. She became the first and only African American to serve as Supervisor in Westchester County and only the second Black Female to run a municipality in the history of Westchester.
Before her historic appointment, Ms. Carr had a long tenure working on the Bedford Democratic Committee. She continues her long history of working hard to support the many community organizations in the Town of Bedford.
As former Chair of the Bedford Democratic Committee and the current First Vice-Chair of the Westchester County Democratic Committee, MaryAnn has always been dedicated to inclusivity and progress. Her councilwoman and Supervisor tenure in Bedford spurred transformative community change.
Some of MaryAnn’s notable achievements include leading the charge to elect the first Latino to the Bedford Town Board and the first woman of color to the Bedford Central School Board. During her tenure on the Town Board, twelve new affordable homes were built, and sewers were installed in the business districts of the two hamlets of Bedford (Bedford Hills and Katonah), one of the largest projects ever undertaken by the Town. She has been an avid supporter of criminal justice reform and founded the Town of Bedford Prison Advisory Committee, the only such committee known that advises local and state governments on prison relations matters. She made it a priority to recruit and appoint diverse members to serve on local committees, boards, and commissions where there had been a lack of diversity.
She has also been active in Bedford community organizations for many years: Town Board Liaison to Recreation and Parks, Planning Dept., Town Court, Bedford Central School District (BCSD), Chair, Community Organizations Committee, Active Parent Volunteer in Bedford Central School District (BCSD), Committee Member of Bedford 202 Food Forum, Board Member of Rehabilitation Through the Arts, member of the Bedford Antioch Church engaged in outreach programs for the Community Center in Katonah, and volunteering in a leadership role in the Gala Annual Event for the Martin Luther King Scholarship for Youth.
As far as name recognition, Carr can be seen at various Democratic events throughout the county and is well known for her support of various Democratic candidates and her work with the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus (WBWPC). It was her vision that helped her establish a Greater Bedford Chapter of the WBWPC for the northern part of the county.
When Democrat MaryAnn Carr threw her hat in the ring for the 17th Congressional District, she announced her candidacy to News 12’s Tara Rosenblum.
“I’m excited to be in this race. I think I bring a lot to the table,” she told Tara.
In her first interview as a candidate, the former Bedford Town Council member told News 12 why she decided to throw her hat in the ring in the hotly contested race that helped the Republicans flip control of the House last year.
“The reason I’m running is because I just feel like people like myself, who are working middle class, are not meeting the moment,” said the single working mom and a Westchester County information technology director.
While this has the feel of a heavily contested contest with a potentially crowded cast of candidates, this has been Black Westchester’s First Look at the 2024 17th Congressional District Race. Stay tuned to Black Westchester for further updates on the list of candidates!
If you are homebound or know of an elderly resident who is homebound and you want to get a Covid booster shot, flu vaccine or need a home visit – you are in luck! Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service has started a new service –housecalls like the old fashioned doctor. It is a community paramedicine program. They will stop by at your house and provide you with the vaccines and booster shots. Email covid@scarsdalevac.com or call 914 722-2288. This service is available to anyone, anywhere in the county.
It’s a great service that many people will benefit from. My mom is almost 99 years old and has benefitted from the service. The paramedics are fantastic, caring and efficient. House calls for the elderly is also safer for the frail elderly. It’s a better option having someone go to your house than having to wait for a Doctor in a waiting room with other sick people.
Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service provides the community with exceptional service – no lines, no waits, VIP service for all.
Kela Simunyola of Kela Tennis and his attorney James Borkowski dropped by the Black Westchester Power Hour on Thursday, April 20, 2023, to discuss his recent lawsuit and judgment against the city of Mount Vernon for the illegal eviction and bubble deflated in the dead of night.
City & State Magazine released their 2023 Westchester Power 100, on Monday, August 21st, Black Westchester’s Publisher Damon K. Jones and Editor-In-Chief AJ Woodson made the prestigious list for the fourth year in a row.
“There may be no more dynamic journalistic duo in Westchester than Damon Jones and AJ Woodson, who collaboratively run one of Westchester’s largest Black publications, Black Westchester. Woodson has used the platform to comment on the happenings of New York, diving into the rise of white vigilantism and public safety within the county. The pair have also interviewed a series of influential leaders on the People Before Politics Radio Show,” City & State Magazine wrote.
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized for our unwavering commitment, determination, sacrifices, and unwavering faith that have fueled our journey thus far. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support of our amazing readers and community,” Damon said when the list came out.
“It is humbling and an honor to be recognized by City & State Magazine as one of the Top 100 Power Brokers and ‘remarkable leaders powering Westchester,’ and to be highlighted for all our hard work as we celebrate our 9-year anniversary of giving you the News With The Black Point of View and that Real Talk For The Community. Thank you all who have been riding with us. Like my brother Damon said we would not be here without all of you, we appreciate you and thank all of you for believing in us.”
The list included a plethora of heavyweights in politics, business, and community advocates like Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who forever destroyed the phrase Three Men In A Room, as the first female legislative conference leader In New York State history, who calls Yonkers, NY home. She tops the list at number one.
“Numerous Westchester elected officials bemoaned Gov. Kathy Hochul’s sweeping housing proposals, which would have required New York City’s suburbs to speed up the building of new homes. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins held firm in negotiations with the governor, putting the ambitious housing plan on hold. That’s not the only time this year the Yonkers Democrat has stood up to Hochul, as she played a key role in blocking the governor’s nominee for state chief judge.”
Then you have County Executive George Latimer next in the number two slot and Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano next in the number three. Assembly Member Amy Paulin (#4), State Senators Jamaal Bailey, Nathalia Fernandez, Pete Harckham, and Shelly Mayer collectively are listed in the number five slot. U.S. Congressman Jamaal Bowman is holding down the number six slot.
“Rep. Jamaal Bowman doesn’t shy away from conflict. The former school principal has gone viral for denouncing gun violence in standoffs with Republicans and joined fellow progressives in boycotting Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s address to Congress in July. Some observers have speculated that the progressive politician could mount a strong challenge against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, but Bowman has said he isn’t interested. A primary standoff may be headed his way regardless, as rumors suggest Westchester County Executive George Latimer may challenge him.”
Congressman Mike Lawler sits at number seven; Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah sits in the number eight slot, Marsha Gordon (President & CEO) and John Ravitz (COO) of the Business Council of Westchester share the number nine slot, and Assembly Members Chris Burbick, Dana Levenberg, Steve Otis, J. Gary Pretlow, Nader Sayegh, Maryann Shimsky, and Matt Slater collectively round off the top spot.
Others on the list include Ken Jenkins, the first African-American Deputy County Executive (#17), Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and Comptroller Darren Morton (#18), Congressional Candidates Mondaire Jones, Whitmer Gereghty and MaryAnn Carr (#20), Yonkers President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy, the first Black Woman to serve in the council’s top role (#22), Acting Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Raynor shares the 23rd spot with the county’s Director of Operations, Joan McDonald and Chief of Staff Andrew Ferris.
Vivian McKensie, Peekskill’s first Black Woman to serve as the city’s mayor holds down the 32nd slot. Belinda Miles, Westchester Community College’s first Black president, comes in at number 37. New Rochelle Councilwoman Yadira Ramos-Herbert, who is attempting to become the city’s first person of color and first woman to be elected mayor in November, sits in the 40th slot. The Honorable Ruth Hassell-Thompson (#40) and Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus President Subomi Macaulay sits in the 51st spot.
Other prominent leaders on the list include Grace Baptist Church Sr. Pastor Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson (#53), WCA Exec. Director Allison Lake (#57), Purchase College President Milagros Pena (#58), Tai Johnson (#70), Westhab President & CEO Rich Nightingale (#81), Community Voices Heard Exec. Dir. Juanita Lewis (#82), Westchester Community Health Center CEO Judith Watson (#84), Lifting Up Westchester CEO Anahaita Kotval (#85), M&T Bank Tarrytown regional President Tyre Robinson (#86), ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam (#91), Black Westchester Publisher Damon K. Jones & Editor-In-Chief AJ Woodson (#92), WESPAC Foundation Exec. Director Nada Khader (#96), Gov. Hochul’s Regional Representative, Lower Hudson Valley Brandon Lloyd is #99 when the list came out.
The Women of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus join Damon K. Jones on Black Westchester presents The People Before Politics Radio Show on Sunday, October 15, 2023, to discuss their upcoming gala and all the great work they have been doing
There is an overwhelming amount of information in the media suggesting that sugar harms our health and that we should avoid all types of sweets. However, it is natural and acceptable to desire meals with a sweet taste.
The consumption of fresh fruit, which provides natural sweetness, is beneficial to our health and a good source of calories for the body. There is a solid explanation for why our tongues have a high concentration of sweet receptors. Therefore, I strongly recommend incorporating substantial fresh fruit into your diet.
You should also know that creating a whole meal using natural sweets from fruits is perfectly fine. If you have never tried this before, you might be pleasantly surprised by how fulfilling it can be.
Our sweet tooth was initially developed to encourage the consumption of fruits for long-term health benefits. Unfortunately, in their quest to make their products more appealing, food corporations often exploit our natural affinity for sweets in ways that harm our health. Processed or extracted sugars do not contribute to human health like natural sugars from whole fruits.
Refined food strips it of most nutrients, including water, fiber, and other essential components. Only sugar remains, devoid of the nutrients it should have been packaged with. This extracted sugar has a higher calorie density, providing extreme pleasure and satisfaction.
Additionally, foods with the highest levels of added sugars also tend to contain high amounts of added fats, salt, refined flour, and animal products, making them harmful for various reasons beyond just their sugar content.
To make matters worse, food manufacturers add these highly concentrated and flavorful sugars to unhealthy, high-fat diets, making them even more appealing to our taste buds and contributing to diseases.
Here are some examples:
Obesity: Processed foods and meats often contain high added sugars, unhealthy fats, and calories. Regularly consuming these foods can lead to weight gain and obesity, which increases the risk of several diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Type 2 Diabetes: Diets rich in added sugars, especially in the form of sugary beverages and processed foods, can contribute to the development of insulin resistance and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Excessive sugar intake can lead to chronic high blood sugar levels, which strain the body’s ability to regulate insulin effectively.
Cardiovascular Disease: A diet high in added sugars, particularly when combined with unhealthy fats, can contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases. This includes conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Excessive consumption of added sugars, especially fructose, can contribute to fat accumulation in the liver, leading to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. If untreated, NAFLD can progress to more severe conditions like liver inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) and liver cirrhosis.
Dental Problems: Frequent consumption of sugary processed foods and beverages can lead to tooth decay and dental cavities. The bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars, producing acids that erode tooth enamel and lead to dental problems.
Metabolic Syndrome: Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of conditions, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Diets high in added sugars, mainly processed foods and meats, can contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome.
It is crucial to recognize that the sugar naturally present in whole foods, including fruits, is not a problem. It is necessary and should be embraced. The real issue arises when sugar is isolated from its natural source and consumed excessively.
In the United States, people of African American descent have a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those of other races and ethnicities. The greater frequency and severity of diabetes in the African American community can be attributed to several causes, including the following:
Higher Prevalence: African Americans have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans are approximately twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.
Obesity and Lifestyle Factors: Obesity is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and African Americans have higher rates of obesity compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. This can be attributed to a combination of genetic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors, including diet quality, physical activity levels, and access to healthy food options.
Socioeconomic Disparities: African Americans experience higher rates of poverty and lower socioeconomic status, which can limit access to healthcare, healthy food options, and resources for managing diabetes effectively. These disparities can contribute to challenges in diabetes prevention, management, and access to healthcare services.
Diabetes Complications: African Americans with diabetes may also face higher rates of diabetes-related complications. This includes a higher risk of kidney disease, lower limb amputations, vision problems, and cardiovascular complications.
It is essential to address these disparities and provide equitable access to healthcare, education, and resources for diabetes prevention and management within the African American community. This includes promoting healthy lifestyle habits, improving access to nutritious foods, increasing awareness about diabetes, and ensuring culturally sensitive healthcare services.
What Black People Should Eat More Fruits and Vegetables and Less Meat and Processed Foods
A whole food plant-based diet has been shown to have significant benefits for individuals with diabetes, and in some cases, it may help manage and even reverse the condition. However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of any dietary approach can vary depending on individual factors and each person’s specific circumstances.
Several studies have suggested that a whole food plant-based diet can improve blood sugar control, reduce insulin resistance, and reduce weight loss, all essential factors in managing diabetes. This diet focuses on consuming minimally processed plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds while minimizing or avoiding animal products, refined grains, added sugars, and unhealthy fats.
By emphasizing whole plant foods, which are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and various beneficial compounds, a plant-based diet can help regulate blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and support weight management. Additionally, the higher fiber content in plant-based diets slows down the absorption of sugars, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes.
Several studies have shown positive outcomes for individuals with type 2 diabetes who adopted a whole food plant-based diet. For example, research by Dr. Neal Barnard and colleagues at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine demonstrated that a plant-based diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes led to significant improvements in blood sugar control and even partial or complete reversal of diabetes in some participants.
It’s important to note that dietary changes should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian, especially if you have diabetes or other underlying health conditions. They can provide personalized guidance and monitoring based on your needs and help you create a well-balanced plant-based meal plan that meets your nutritional requirements.
While a whole food plant-based diet can be beneficial for managing diabetes, I strongly suggest you talk to your doctor. It should be seen as a supportive approach that works with other aspects of diabetes management, regular monitoring, and physical activity.
If you’re trying to lose weight or eat healthier, drinking a little more water could make a big difference. A recent study found that adults who increased their water consumption by 1% ate fewer calories and less sugar, salt, fat, and cholesterol.
According to researchers at the University of Illinois, drinking 1 to 3 more water glasses a day helped participants cut out 68 to 205 calories, along with the other positive changes. To put that in perspective, you’d have to jog for about 25 minutes or walk for about 45 minutes to burn 200 calories.
For such significant results with so little effort, you may want to try this yourself! Use these tips to help you drink more water and make other quick and powerful changes.
Water’s importance: drinking lots of water is key to health—mostly when you eat a high-fiber diet. Water helps fiber do its work of effortlessly getting rid of waste. Every part of your body depends on water to function optimally, so it’s vital to hydrate all through the day. 2 liters of water/day is the recommended level – but do remember that the fresh vegetables and fruit in the alkaline diet also contribute significantly towards the daily intake.
When you drink enough water, the cells in every part of your body get hydrated through the blood. The skin is the largest organ of your body. The skin needs hydration, even as the impurities and toxins get flushed out at the cellular level.
Drinking the proper amount of water will improve your skin tone, give you tighter skin and reduce puffiness.
The Surprising Link Between Sleep and Dehydration
You probably know that you need adequate sleep and hydration to stay healthy. However, you may not realize how closely the two are connected.
Adults who sleep 6 hours or less each night are up to 59% more likely to be dehydrated than those who get a full 8 hours of sleep. That’s according to a recent study by Pennsylvania State University.
Researchers believe one underlying cause is vasopressin. This hormone maintains your water balance and rises during the later sleep stages. If you miss those hours, your kidneys won’t retain enough fluid.
This is just one example of how fluid intake and sleep affect each other. Find out more about daily habits that can help protect your mental and physical wellbeing.
Drink More Water
Individual needs vary, so the old rule about drinking eight glasses of water a day is just a suggestion that may or may not work for you. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about how much water would work best.
Use these guidelines to add more water to your diet:
Carry a bottle. Bring a bottle of water along with you wherever you go. That way, you can take sips throughout the day.
Add flavor. Plain water can taste great, but maybe you want a little more excitement. Add cucumber slices, ginger, or limes. You could also brew a cup of green tea or drink sparkling water.
Buy a filter. If your tap water has an unpleasant aftertaste, invest in a filter.
Eat your water. Many foods have a high water volume. Good choices include celery, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, watermelon, oranges, and strawberries.
Limit alcohol. On the other hand, alcohol is dehydrating. Most experts recommend up to 1 cocktail a day for women and 2 for men.
Measure your intake. If you have a hard time keeping track of how many glasses you’ve had, you can use the latest technology or old fashioned methods. Browse online for free apps that will measure your total or use a water bottle with markings on the side indicating the number of ounces.
Other Ways to Make Your Diet Healthier
Staying hydrated isn’t the only easy way to quickly transform your diet. Many minor daily changes add up to a significant impact.
Try these simple strategies:
Read labels. Processed foods are the most common source of excess sugar and salt. Check the label first.
Eat more fiber. Fiber fills you up with fewer calories. Indulge in plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
Enjoy nutritious treats. Speaking of indulgences, you can still satisfy your sweet tooth. Bake an apple with cinnamon and nutmeg or
Control portions. Diets that are too restrictive can leave you feeling deprived and vulnerable to binging on junk foods when you have a lapse. Stay in control by enjoying smaller servings of the foods you love.
Cook more. Preparing your food lets you decide on the ingredients. You can modify any dish by using less sugar or salt.
Smart lifestyle choices will help keep your mind and body healthy and fit. Drinking more water is one easy habit of working into your healthy living plan.
Black America was already struggling with historic levels of mental health problems amid the coronavirus pandemic. Black America paused for eight minutes and forty-five seconds and witnessed George Floyd’s killing. It co-signed all the stress and anxiety that exist in the Black Community.
According to data from the Census Bureau, within a week after George Floyd’s death, anxiety and depression among Black Americans were shot to higher rates than any other racial or ethnic group, by 41 percent. That is approximately 1.4 million more people.
A 2018 study in the journal Lancet found that Black Americans suffer higher levels of psychological distress following police shootings than white people even when they live in the same community.
Let’s be real, just being a Black man and woman is stressful! The problem is our community leaders, and politicians have shied away from an honest dialogue of the constant stress it is Black in America.
People with depression or anxiety will most likely experience weight gain or weight loss due to their condition or the medications that treat them. Depression and anxiety can be associated with overeating, poor food choices, and a more sedentary lifestyle. Over time, weight gain may eventually lead to obesity.
About 43 percent of adults with depression are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And they say adults who’ve been diagnosed with depression are more likely rested Source to be overweight than those who haven’t.
Children who are depressed have a higher BMI than children who aren’t. In one 2002 study, they found that children who were depressed were more likely rested Source to become obese by the time researchers’ followed up one year later.
Obesity in the Black American community has been a growing concern in recent decades. Obesity does not only come from stress; it results from multiple societal elements. Other factors include inequities in stable and affordable housing, income, and access to quality education.
These factors can directly or indirectly influence an individual’s chance to live a longer and healthier life. Also, suppose one combines those circumstances with disparities in access to affordable and nutritious food or safe places to be physically active.
Among African-American adults, nearly 48 percent are clinically obese (including 37.1 percent of men and 56.6 percent of women, compared to 32.6 percent of whites (including 32.4 percent of men and 32.8 percent of women). For this reason, awareness of these risks must be spread more widely to help combat the habits leading to obesity.
Is turning to therapy and medication the most effective solution for fighting depression? Studies are beginning to show that you can fight depression at home with a change in your activity level.
It’s true! Physical activity can profoundly impact your ability to overcome what ails you. If you’re feeling depressed, it might be time to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle.
Exercise comes in many forms, and you can find a regimen that fits you. Avoid overdoing it when it comes to exercise; ease into some physical activity and see how you feel.
Try these effective strategies to fight depression with exercise:
Experience the runner’s high. Following a good workout, your body will experience what is known as a runner’s high, which results from an endorphin surge in your body. The temporary mood lift that this endorphin surge provides can help reduce depression on a short-term basis.
• When you’re feeling tense, overwhelmed, or down in general, seek a temporary pick me up in the form of a workout. Go for a short walk, hop on a treadmill or elliptical, or ride your bicycle. Even yoga, Pilates, and strength training exercises can provide you with a boost of endorphins to pick up your mood.
• Working out for at least 30 minutes to combat symptoms of depression can also boost energy and concentration, which can reduce some of the negative feelings associated with depression.
Improve your overall well-being. Strength training is a great way to improve your health and well-being, reducing symptoms of depression. For example, lifting dumbbells can build long, lean muscle, enhancing metabolism and making a more robust and healthier body.
• While strength training may not directly impact your depression symptoms, its ability to improve your health can have long-term effects on your overall well-being.
Exercise daily—exercise at least 30 minutes each day, six days per week. According to the Journal of Preventive Medicine, several weeks after you establish this regular exercise routine, you’ll begin to feel the relief of your depression symptoms on a much more consistent basis.
Replace medications with exercise. The Journal of Preventive Medicine recently featured a study of patients with depression who worked out for at least 3 hours per week. This study found that these patients’ remission was comparable to cognitive-behavioral therapies and medication treatments.
• While exercise may not replace your need for other treatment options completely, it can benefit your mental well being in many ways, making it an excellent way to balance the therapies you rely on for relief.
• If you’re currently in treatment or taking medication, discuss any changes in therapy or medications with your doctor before changing them.
Develop a routine. Developing a routine for exercise can have numerous benefits. Not only will you be combating your depression with exercise itself, but also having a routine to look forward to can boost your spirits and ward off the overwhelming feelings of depression.
The Bottom Line
Depression can negatively impact your life in many ways. If you Black, depression takes an enormous toll on you, your family, and your community. Experiment with different therapy and treatment options to get the help you need. Exercise is a great way to reduce the symptoms associated with depression: helping to clear your mind and improve your energy while also giving you a general sense of well-being.
Suppose you don’t already have a regular exercise regimen and suffer from depression. In that case, this is a treatment option that is well worth considering. It may work well in conjunction with current treatment options or replace them altogether. Please consult with your physician to learn more.
Maximizing your personal growth is a worthy pursuit. In fact, many people make personal development their primary purpose in life. But even if you just want to smooth up your rough edges, having an effective mindset for personal growth will make the process more enjoyable and your efforts more fruitful.
The first thing that needed is an open mind. Personal growth requires considering new perspectives, ideas, habits, and beliefs. If you’re dead set on approaching the world in a particular way, you’re greatly limiting your growth. Only when you are open to all the various possibilities can your growth be maximized.
Consider that if you already had an optimal perspective and approach to everything, you’d already have everything you want. You may be mistaken about multiple things. Are you willing to figure out what those things are?
We all must be open to the idea that in changing our objectives based on new things that we will discover about the world and ourselves.
We also must have an interest in learning new things till the day we die. Are you willing to learn about goal setting? Overcoming fear? Discipline? Communication skills? Reading about new ideas? There’s a lot that we all don’t know that we need to know if we are going to become everything that we are capable of being.
Failing at things is Nessasary for success. Trying new things requires failure. It’s rare and lucky to succeed at something the first time. Whether you’re learning to be a better public speaker, taking a class, or learning how to play the violin, there will be failure.
Failure provides the opportunity to learn and then to apply that knowledge during future attempts.
Developing the mindset to experiment with different things. Many of us are so set in our ways we miss out on new things that are good for us. Should you eat a vegan, vegetarian, or paleo diet? Try them all and see what works for you. You can’t be certain what you want to have, do, or be until you’ve experimented and found the best answer for yourself.
The ability to set your ego aside. Your ego is a major obstacle when it comes to maximizing your personal growth. Your ego makes you more likely to be certain you’re right when you’re wrong. It leads you to blame others when the fault is your own. It also makes you afraid to fail.
Value improvement over perfection. Daily improvement is incredibly powerful. It’s not possible to be great at something instantly. When you can get excited about improving by 1% at something, you have a great mindset for personal growth.
To achieve personal growth, we must have patience with the process. Personal grown does not happen over night. It may take decades to become the best possible version of yourself. Even figuring out the ideal sleeping schedule can take several weeks of trial and error. It takes time to get over your social anxiety or lose weight. Patience is an important factor!
Changing and growing isn’t for the weak. It’s important to be determined and committed to changing yourself and your life. Determination is a valuable asset to have in many facets of life. Even people with minimal talent have become incredibly successful through great determination.
Personal growth is challenging, but it can be a lot easier with a mindset that supports your desire to grow. Too many people try to grind their way to progress, but real growth requires more finesse much of the time. Grinding also isn’t sustainable for most people.
Your mindset can be your shortcut to fantastic personal growth. The optimal mindset for personal growth is open, curious, determined, and patient. Take a hard look at your mindset before continuing on your personal development journey.
