Black to the Roots: Reclaiming Spirituality to Promote Self-Care

This post was written by Jatawn Tickles, MA, Jasiah McCalla, MEd, Shawntell Pace, MEd, Tanisha Pelham, MS, and Collette Chapman-Hilliard, Ph.D., doctoral students and Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Georgia.

Black psychologists are often asked about how to promote self-care among Black people, particularly amid societal and political stress points such as police brutality, racial tensions, and added health inequities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While there are many ways to promote self-care among Black people, a recent conversation among our research team members (the Sankofa Research and Outreach Team) about culturally centered self-care led us to consider the important role of spirituality in self-care in the Black community.

Reflecting on our own experiences and relationship with spirituality, many of us identified our great-grandmothers, grandmothers, and leaders in the church as providing our first introductions to spiritual spaces. Some of us even discussed how we observed religious practice as being different from spiritual connection. Our discussion seemed to highlight those moments sometimes among Black community members that reflect an unspoken knowing or “I see you.” From Second Line celebrations of life and prosperity to altars dedicated to the ancestors as an appreciation of their guidance, Black people thrive in spaces of spiritual connectedness.

So, why is spirituality important to self-care among Black people? A part of the answer lies in what we can learn from Black psychology.

Spirituality as a Life-Affirming Force

Not to be confused with religion, Linda James Myers (1993) defines spirituality as not only a connection with God, but a guiding connection with the world around us. Much like Dr. Myers, other elders of Black psychology have referenced the cultural significance of honoring spirit and how it can serve as a guiding light. Scholars like Wade Nobles, Joseph White, and Na’im Akbar suggest that spirituality is essential to understanding how Black people engage the world. A recent study even shows how spirituality serves as a protective factor for Black people when experiencing stress (Lewis et al., 2021). For many Black folx, spirituality is a way of life that has become so deeply ingrained that it is a part of the very way we care for ourselves. Whether burning sage in a new home to set positive energy or cooking collard greens and black eye peas to bring prosperity in the New Year, these rituals serve as a covering and means of protection. It stands to remind us that we are a part of something greater than ourselves, allowing us to care for ourselves and our communities. From the classic reference of Negro Spirituals that guided slaves to freedom, to the Gospel songs sung through the marches of the civil rights movements, to the chants of protest surrounding present-day police brutality and the murder of Black people, the salience of spirituality as a source of strength becomes apparent.

In his discussion of the seven psychological strengths of Black people, Dr. Joseph White, the Godfather of Black Psychology, refers to spirituality as “a life-affirming force which is responsible for strength in the face of adversity, inspiration, vitality, and hope for a brighter tomorrow.” In other words, spirituality is a basis for care in the Black community. We can look to our history to envision numerous examples of caring for one’s spirit, such as Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, bell hooks, Octavia Butler, Barbara Peacock, Toni Morrison, and many more. What we learn from the narratives of these individuals is that self-care among Black people includes intentional spiritual work, and despite both personal and societal challenges, we cannot forget to engage in the things that replenish our spirit.

Spiritual Respite as a Form of Self-Care

Self-care has become somewhat of a buzzword for those seeking to cultivate personal wellness. However, self-care is not just about personal wellness for Black people, it is spiritual respite. Reflecting deeper on the works of previously noted Black psychologists, we highlight the importance of engaging in practices that build our sense of self and therefore our spirituality.

Leaning into the work of Black psychology scholars and drawing upon lessons from the ancestors, spirit restoration involves:

1. Self-Reflection. Take moments to engage in self-reflection, by sitting in the moment and setting intentions throughout the day or take the moment to engage in preparation for the next day. By doing so, we can welcome moments of gratitude for our experiences and compassion for our choices. Self-reflection is a time to connect with ourselves and honor the wholeness of who we are.

2. Connection and Community. One of the most notable strengths of Black culture is our value of collectivism. As we operate as a collective, consider making time to connect with loved ones, friend groups, family, and peers. Restoration of our spirit is often found in our moments when we connect with community.

3. Reconnecting Through Nature. Black people, although not always included in conversations about their indigenous roots, are historically people of the land. To stretch this spiritual muscle, consider spending time with nature through hikes, walks, gardening, eating whole foods, or meditating in natural spaces. Intentionality and nature can usher in a deeper connection to the world around us.

4. Reach Back and Get (Sankofa). So much of the narrative of Black culture is neglected or hidden. As we reflect on this, we’re reminded of something our advisor/mentor often says, “Our history does not begin with slavery.” Therefore, Black folx are charged with the task of reclamation. As such, this is a time to engage in the exploration and research into narratives that highlight Black voices. Reaching back could also involve reconnecting with elders in the community or examining the stories and traditions of our ancestors.

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For many Black community members, spirituality is central to self-care as it reflects protection, hope, and community. In seeking to connect with self, support Black mental health, and tap into the Black community’s cultural strengths, it is essential that we utilize spirituality as a form of liberation in a world that perpetuates narratives of anti-Blackness. The reminder here is simple: Be intentional to care for your spirit to care for the self.