If you are black in this country there is a good chance that you are struggling everyday to just maintain your sanity. Videos of black people being murdered in cold blood by police are constantly streaming online. Murderous cop after murderous cop is set free. Despite this we are forced everyday to keep living in this grossly unfair world. We must maintain our lives for our families. We have to keep going despite gut punch after gut punch.

The fact is, all black people in this country are dealing with extreme levels of trauma. We have to deal with trauma from the daily news cycle PLUS normal daily life. Yesterday, I found out a law school classmate passed away. I have to admit with all that is going on in the world the news of her passing hit me hard.

Every day I struggle to maintain a balance of being informed and staying sane. I know I am not alone. One’s psyche can only take so much before it begins to break. I notice many people sharing the videos of police murders online. I don’t do that. Not only do I not share them, I don’t watch them. It’s unhealthy to see someone being murdered. Not only is it unhealthy, it’s traumatizing. The news of innocent people being murdered is bad enough, watching the videos won’t make it any better. If you are black in this country you have to start protecting your mental health.

Here are 10 things you can do to help you stay sane:

1. Don’t watch the videos of the murders of black people.

2. Don’t share the videos of the murders of black people.

3. Take a break from the news.

4. Find good news to share.

5. Read inspirational stories.

6. Take breaks from the internet and social media.

7. Watch a funny movie or stand-up special.

8. Spend time with your family/friends away from tv/internet.

9. Spend time outside in nature. Take a nature walk or go to the beach.

10. Practice meditation/yoga.

Do the things you need to do to protect your sanity. We already know that being black in this country is difficult but with the current administration, the current justice system, and the emboldened racists, being black presents dangers that we must be even more keenly aware of. Make sure you do the things you need to do to protect your mind. We need each other as a community to ensure a better future for our children. So please, stay sane.

~Kai

P.S. Be sure to check out my new book Date Like A Woman!