Prioritize Your Healing: It’s Your Turn

As caregivers, especially those raising neurodivergent children in Black and Brown communities, we often delay our own care. We postpone doctor appointments. We ignore fatigue. We silence pain. And too often, we normalize survival. But let me tell you this truth: Your healing is sacred, and it should not–cannot–wait.

Recently, I found myself postponing my own medical appointments, even after warning signs began to show. A cycle of caregiving, working, surviving, and ignoring my own symptoms finally forced me to pause. And in that pause, God reminded me: “You won’t be here for them if you don’t be there for you.”

Why We Delay—and Why We Must Stop

Let’s be real. We don’t ask for help because. . .

>We don’t want to burden others.

>Fear of what we might find.

>Too used to pushing through on our own.

But delayed care is dangerous. Heart health, mental wellness, blood sugar levels, hormonal changes—they all matter. Right now, our children need us whole. Not perfect. Just present and well.

Five Ways to Prioritize Your Health This Week:

• Schedule That Appointment – PCP, OB/GYN, urologist, dentist, therapist, cardiologist–all of it.
• Drink More Water – Start with one extra glass each morning.
• Move Your Body – A 20-minute walk counts.
• Eat Heart-FULL Foods – Swap one heavy meal for something fresh and light.
• Sit in Stillness – Even five minutes. Let your soul catch up.

What the Research Says

According to the CDC (2023), Black adults are 30% more likely to die from heart disease compared to White adults. Latinx caregivers—especially women—are more likely to skip medical care due to cost (KFF, 2022). Hispanic caregivers also report the highest rates of emotional distress among unpaid caregivers (AARP & NAC, 2020). Also, according to the AARP & National Alliance for Caregiving (2020), 1 in 4 Black caregivers are men, many of whom report high stress and limited support.

These are not just statistics. They are wake-up calls.

A Word from My Heart to Yours

If you’re like me, you carry a village on your back, and you rarely complain. So, hear me with your heart: GOD sees you. And you are designed to flourish, not just function. Let this be your reminder to choose you today.

Call and go to the doctor. Buy the fresh fruit. Take the long shower. Say no to the thing that can wait.

Because healing isn’t selfish.

It’s revolutionary.

~TY Marian

Reference(s):

AARP & National Alliance for Caregiving. (2020). Caregiving in the U.S. 2020. https://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AARP1316_RPT_CaregivingintheUS_WEB.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Heart Disease Facts. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). (2022). Health and Access to Care and Coverage for the Latino Population in the United States. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/fact-sheet/health-coverage-and-access-to-care-for-latino-population/