Election week is finally here; a day we greet with dual optimism and dread, for great reason. As we await the election’s outcome and subsequent responses, it is vital to focus on the wellness and beauty practices that keep us grounded. Regardless of election results, there will be heavy emotions and potential for civil unrest, which can cause significant concern for marginalized groups.
As seen with elections in the past, and the January 6th insurrection, the American public often finds itself in a polarized and reactive state. The potential outcome of a Black woman president stirs up hope for many and vitriol for others—prompting certain populations to center self and community care during this time. Wellness and beauty routines often go hand in hand and can be effective regulatory practices to ease the nerves.
The ritualistic nature of makeup or skincare routines, mindfulness meditations, and prioritizing nutrition and rest are all ways to feed into ourselves during trying times. The immediate space in the aftermath of the results, whether for better or worse, will likely create charged emotional experiences. ESSENCE tapped , Ph.
D., Provisionally Licensed Psychologist, to understand how this election may affect Black women and what we can do to exercise healthy habits. She first explains the function of the stress hormone, cortisol, and how it comes into context.
“When our cortisol levels are high for an extended period of time (e.g., start of voter registration to el.
