Punto Final: Practical Self-Care Tips for Latina Entrepreneurs
By Cheryl Aguilar LICSW, LCSW
Latinas are thriving as the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the United States. But the demands of running a business, combined with cultural expectations and personal responsibilities, can result in high levels of stress and burnout, anxiety and depression. How can Latinas excel in business without burning out their flames? By practicing self-care, which is associated with lower levels of stress and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression and improving overall health outcomes.
Here are six practical self-care tips for Latinas:
1. Make self-care part of your survival. Self-care is as important as other things we do for our survival, such as breathing, eating, sleeping, etc. It involves engaging in a range of activities that nourish the mind, body and soul and are tailored to our individual interests, lifestyles, culture, resources, and unique selves. To practice self-care, we need to go back to the basics of well-being: sleeping well, eating healthy, exercising, connecting with others, doing things that bring us joy. Rather than “finding” the time for self-care, we must CREATE the time for it.
2. Sprinkle self-care. Optimal self-care includes sprinkling self-care throughout the day. Does drinking a warm cup of tea while listening to your favorite tunes soothe you during a stressful moment or going for a brief walk or taking a few deep breaths? Doing relaxing activities in small increments repeatedly becomes an automatic and manageable practice.
3. Work to undo problematic narratives about productivity. Have you told yourself these phrases: Practicing self-care is selfish, I feel lazy and unproductive when I don’t do anything or just relax, etc. These beliefs are often rooted in capitalist ideologies that prioritize work over self-care. Taking care of yourself is not a luxury. Rather than viewing self-care as an indulgence or something that takes away from productivity, reframe it as an essential part of your success and well-being. When you prioritize self-care, you are better able to focus, make better decisions, and achieve your goals.
4. Practice gratitude. Growing research suggests practicing gratitude regularly has a positive effect on mental health, social relationships and leads to higher levels of positive emotions, and life satisfaction. In your daily practice, identify things you are grateful for as well as things you feel proud of or have done well.
5. Don’t go at it alone. A strong network of family, friends, other entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals provides community, inspiration, and reduces feelings of isolation. There are many culturally informed supportive networks. Through healing retreats and coaching groups, The Latina Healing Institute offers Latinas a space for healing, support, community, strength and joy while providing professional tools to bolster confidence. More at latinahealinginstitute.com. #WeAllGrow aims to inspire, support, empower, elevate, and celebrate impactful Latinas. More at weallgrowlatina.com.
6. Seek professional help. When no matter what you do, you still feel severely anxious, stressed, depressed, or experience other mental health challenges that impact your quality of life, your relationships, your home life, and your work, consider therapy. Therapy provides a safe and non-judgmental space for growth, healing from past traumatic experiences and undoing patterns that keep us from fulfilling our full potential. Here are some recommended culturally sensitive therapy directories: latinxtherapy.com, therapyforlatinx.com, latinxtherapistactionnetwork.org, therapyforblackgirls.com and blacktherapistnetwork.com.
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