We wish this was true, but it just isn’t. We can all think of black people who are the epitome of “black don’t crack.” How is Angela Bassett 65 years old? Sure, we can see that Idris Elba is aging, but why is he doing it so slowly and so well!
Let’s not even mention Morgan Freeman, who has looked the same since 1959. Yet, we also know black people who have aged badly or quickly, sometimes referred to as “hard,” for example, “That’s a hard 25!”
What separates those who age well and those who don’t? No, it’s not just money, though it certainly helps. For some, it's genetics. We are talking about both skin appearance and overall lifespan. While not yet well understood, part of our expected life span is linked to inherited genes.
One reliable factor that determines healthy aging is simply having black skin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin, eye, and hair color. It also acts as a sunscreen, protecting the skin from harmful UV rays. Black skin also has a higher oil content, creating a sort of natural hydration system that makes the skin appear smooth and radiant.
Now, let us digress a bit. While black people are blessed biologically with certain factors that allow us to visibly age gracefully, this is not the case beneath the skin.
According to the CDC National Health Interview Survey, African Americans have a life expectancy of 75 years, ranking fourth compared to the life expectancy of other races. That's a full 10 years behind Asian Americans, who rank first with an average life expectancy of 85 years.
African Americans also disproportionately suffer from chronic illnesses, having the second-highest rate of diabetes, the highest rate of hypertension, and the highest rate of obesity at 49.6%.
Source: CDC National Health Interview Survey
These low health scores in the African American communities are driven by several key factors such as socioeconomic factors with non-Hispanic blacks having higher poverty rates than other groups, limited access to healthcare including preventative care treatments for manageable chronic conditions, environmental factors such as food deserts in urban communities, discrimination, and stress.
While some factors are out of their control, this author does not like playing the victim. I believe that one of the main factors fueling the current health epidemic in the African American community is poor lifestyle and lack of knowledge about proper nutrition.
Looking at the numbers, 42% of African Americans eat fast food regularly, ranking first in fast food consumption. All other groups ate fast food less than 35% of the time. Despite dominating most national sports both in schools and professionally, African Americans have a more sedentary lifestyle compared to other racial groups. The irony of it all is the slew of famous black sports celebrities who endorse fast foods and products that are slowly killing black people, especially in the same underserved communities where some or maybe many grew up.
However, it does not have to be this way. Since COVID, we’ve seen a resurgence of interest in ancient wisdom with many groups, including African Americans, taking a deep interest in seeking healthier lifestyles. Many are turning to holistic healing programs and natural health remedies driven by the likes of the late Dr. Sebi. Also, self-care among more successful black women is now a buzzword.
However, there is still a long way to go. We need more black and brown people in the holistic health and fitness space to share their knowledge in our communities on how to take a holistic and preventative approach to well-being, beginning with nutrition and lifestyle change. As a black male certified holistic health coach and health retreat leader, this field is one with very few black experts and even fewer black men, even though black men are probably the most affected across the board when it comes to well-being in the United States.
Fact: Proper self-care promotes a healthy appearance while increasing lifespan and overall quality of life. I work one-on-one with individuals and groups to help them make sustainable lifestyle and nutrition changes through healthy lifestyle coaching. I guide them towards lasting transformations that have a ripple effect in their lives and those around them. Through coaching and immersive retreats, my mission is to provide my clients with the tools and strategies they need to be happier, healthier, and more fulfilled.
Prioritize Health
This is the foundation. What active steps can you take to put your health at the top of your to-do list? Easy ones are getting better sleep, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and eating mindfully. These are essential healthy lifestyle tips.
Focus on Nutrition
Diets filled with unhealthy fats (think seed oils and hydrolyzed oils), high in sugar and processed foods have all been linked to illnesses like cancer, skin conditions, poor skin and physical appearance, and premature aging. Simply put, having a poor diet stresses the body out, and eventually, it shows.
Manage Stress
Practice awareness: what are your biggest stressors and what’s causing them? How do you react to them? What changes can you make to reduce or prevent those stresses? For the stressors that you just can’t control, how can you build resilience and positively react to them? Practicing mindfulness meditation can be a powerful tool for stress management.
Recognize That Mental Health Matters
This might be the most important on this list. Nothing we do can progress without it coming from a good mental place. Mental health includes our emotional, social, and physiological well-being. It affects how we feel, how we work, and relate to others, how we act, respond to stress, and what decisions we make. Mental health is NOT mental illness, and mental illness does not mean the inability to improve mental health.
So how can we take care of mental health? You’ve probably already been doing it. Getting more sleep, eating better, and managing stress all improve mental health. In a modern world, where everything and everyone is doing something all the time, practices that improve mental health include taking time to relax, surrounding yourself with good company, and setting periods to take breaks from technology—turning off the news, stepping away from social media, and not checking messages and emails.
Adopt a Holistic Lifestyle
The holistic lifestyle is about balance. Take care of yourself—your health, body, mind, emotions, and your soul. Every small change you make leads to this. While some can revamp their entire lives and embrace everything about the holistic lifestyle immediately, others may need to ease in, and that’s ok. As a certified health coach, it is my life’s mission to guide others to be the healthiest and best version of themselves so they can be there for their community and the ones they love. By adopting tips for healthy aging and embracing holistic health and fitness, individuals can significantly improve their quality of life.
Authors: Shawn Regis, Certified Health Coach | U.S Army Veteran and Alison Regis, Nutritionist | Master Gardener