Using 5 minutes of Self-Care to Survive Burnout | Racquel Armstrong | TEDxKingLincolnBronzevillle

Summary

The speaker shares her journey with non-small cell lung cancer at 25, emphasizing the importance of self-care. As a dedicated educator, she neglected her health, leading to her diagnosis. Despite treatment, she continued overextending herself, not prioritizing her well-being. A second health scare forced her to reevaluate, realizing self-care's necessity. She discusses the societal pressures on Black women to be strong, often at the expense of their health. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need for self-care. The speaker encourages finding even just five minutes for self-care to slow down and take care of oneself.

Takeaways

• 🏥 The speaker was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer at the age of 25, which was unexpected given her lack of typical risk factors.
• 💓 Her rapid and irregular heartbeat was a physical manifestation of her body's cry for help, signaling the need for self-care.
• 👩‍🏫 As a dedicated public school educator, she had neglected her own well-being in her efforts to serve her community.
• 💊 Despite undergoing cancer treatment, she continued her work and volunteer commitments, failing to prioritize her health.
• 🧍‍♀️ The realization that she needed to put herself first came when her body physically could not get up one day.
• 📈 A University of Pennsylvania study revealed that one in two black women faced chronic illness due to stress.
• 🤝 The speaker's friend's struggle with chronic illness and the need to prioritize self-care highlighted the systemic challenges many face.
• 🌐 The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased discussions about self-care and boundaries, yet black women are still disproportionately affected by stress and job loss.
• 🧘‍♀️ The speaker found that even five minutes of quiet time can significantly help in managing stress and prioritizing self-care.
• 🌟 She emphasizes that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity, especially for black women who are often expected to be strong and resilient.
• 📝 As a poet, she reflects on her own journey and the importance of putting herself first for her future well-being.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial reaction to being diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer?

The speaker felt overwhelmed and disconnected from her surroundings, with a focus on the rapid and irregular rhythm of her heartbeat, symbolizing her body's distress signals.

How did the speaker's profession as a public school educator contribute to her health issues?

The speaker devoted all her time and energy to her students and community, neglecting her own health and well-being, which eventually led to her cancer diagnosis.

What realization did the speaker have during her cancer treatment?

Despite being in treatment, the speaker continued to overextend herself and realized she needed to prioritize her own care when her body failed to get up for work one day.

What is the significance of the heartbeat rhythm mentioned throughout the script?

The heartbeat rhythm symbolizes the speaker's physical and emotional state, serving as a reminder to prioritize self-care and listen to her body's signals.

What study is referenced regarding black women and chronic illness?

The University of Pennsylvania study is mentioned, which found that one out of two black women faced chronic illness due to stress.

How did the speaker's friend's experience with chronic illness impact her?

The speaker's friend's struggle with chronic illness and the need for multiple medications highlighted the broader issue of self-care being considered a luxury rather than a necessity for black women.

What changes did the COVID-19 pandemic bring to the speaker's perspective on self-care?

The pandemic led to a societal shift towards discussing self-care and setting boundaries, but it also revealed that black women were still more likely to leave jobs due to stress.

Why did the speaker's friend quit her job during the pandemic?

The friend quit her job because she realized that her sanity and well-being were more important than the paycheck, and she was tired of being hypervisible and invisible at the same time.

What self-care practices did the speaker adopt to improve her mental health?

The speaker started with finding five minutes of quiet time to calm her mind, then sought therapy, and took a vacation to re-center herself.

How does the speaker's poetry reflect her journey towards prioritizing self-care?

The speaker's poetry evolved to include her personal journey, recognizing the need to sustain her talents and prioritize her mental health, rather than just focusing on the stories of others.

What is the main message the speaker wants to convey to the audience?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-care and giving oneself permission to prioritize personal well-being, especially for black women who often face unique stressors and health challenges.