Many people are talking about self-care and the importance of taking time out for yourself. But in the media, it often looks like taking lavish trips, switching out body parts and buying makeup. I believe most do it without focusing on the Creator, the One God who made us. When this happens, essential details are forgotten, but I’ve learned that there’s a lot of attention to my overall health that is needed in order for me to successfully thrive not just survive throughout my days.
I have watched countless YouTube videos on this topic and have even begun to implement several strategies into my own life. I have noticed that this whole process is more than daily upkeep on my physical appearance, but proper care of myself involves ensuring that my health is a top priority.
I have recently discovered that I have a vitamin D deficiency that affects so many areas in my life. As I often do, I was perusing YouTube and found a video of a woman who interviewed two black dermatologists to learn about what really makes black hair grow and the root causes of hair loss. In the comment section of that video, one viewer shared how she had been using relaxers for years and thought it had been the cause of her thinning edges but had recently found out just like I did, that her vitamin D levels were low, and this could be related to her hair. My levels had been low on and off for a few years, and I simply attributed it to stress and never took it too seriously. But this comment intrigued me. I’ve been natural for about 7 years and my hair had gotten quite longer. But I too, figured that my thinning edges were attributed to wearing braids during these years and them being put in too tightly. I’d never had a thick hairline, but the difference was becoming to me very recognizable and somewhat disheartening. When I looked more into vitamin D, I learned that a lack of vitamin D could also cause disturbances in your mood, your memory, along with contributing to thinning hair. Well, there you go! Black women don’t mess around with their edges! Right then, I decided to work on fixing the issue. But more seriously, I wish I could show you all a picture of the many products that I have accumulated over the years, trying to fix up my external attributes and neglecting my internal health. These products were not cheap. But, what’s the use of spending money like that when I’m neglecting my internal health. It all pretty much began to feel counterproductive.
In a 2018 article I found in Essence magazine, it is said that the Black hair care industry ranked in an estimated 2.51 billion dollars. So many companies market to African American women advertising claims that their product can aid in the growth of longer, thicker & healthier hair. It is said that the hair on a Black woman is her “crown and glory”, likely loosely taken from the scripture in 1 Corinthian 11:15, the Bible says “But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering”. As a Black woman I personally wanted to prove that kinky/course hair does grow.
Hair is very important in our culture, all the way from proclamations of pride to the divisiveness of “texturism” (the point of a person placing one grade or texture of hair above another, ie. curly hair above kinky textured hair). Most products generally advertised more on television and other media outlets are for the top of your head. And I have purchased so many over the years I could be a millionaire with the money spent!
Then there are the hair vitamins advertised that contain high levels of biotin, promising outcomes of up to 85% hair growth within a week (“results may vary”). Don’t get me wrong, some of these products and/or ingredients can be helpful to the hair, but very rarely will you see ads that include topics or info pertaining to the overall health of your body holistically that can also aid in hair growth or education to distinguish the origin of hair loss.
I really want to encourage all of you to take an inventory of your health. It’s okay to fix up the external and want to look like the best version of yourself but make sure that you are also mindful of your internal health on your journey. I had to renew my mind and find ways to increase my vitamin D levels, including taking vitamin supplements. All of this was a hard pill to swallow (pun intended), but it must be done. I grew up thinking that most African Americans don’t bask in the sun trying to tan. We are tan! And I thought that most of the vitamin D everyone intakes comes from milk. But I’ve quickly discovered that vitamin D is known as the “sunshine” vitamin and most of anyone’s daily intake comes from sunlight. And it’s free! Well, this is right down my alley because with the current climate and the fact that I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown to love getting outdoors more and sunshine. I started getting more time out in the sun when it’s not too hot, of course! It lifts my spirit and mood. I’ve also gone back to paying more attention to my diet and exercise and have begun to see a difference.
So I challenge you to renew your mindset too. Let those old ways of thinking go…. Also, allow the Holy Spirit to teach you how to take the best care of yourself, whether through revelation, resources, or visiting the doctor. Taking care of your body is both an inside and outside job. Don’t neglect one to focus more on the other.
Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing but a woman who fears the Lord is worthy to be praised
Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, we come humbly before you, Lord, thanking you for every part of our being that You’ve created to make up a one-of-a-kind, unique masterpiece formed by Your hands. You know every bit and part of us Lord, to include every number of hairs at the top of our heads. We thank You for our health, for the renewing of our minds, for wisdom, strength moving forward and for allowing us to have a chance to take care of our bodies from the inside out. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
With Love,
Missy Anne
Additional resources about vitamin D:
Reasons for Deficiency of Vitamin D – Dr.Berg –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iatYZxyoEkU
Interesting Facts About Vitamin D – Dr Berg On Benefits Of Vitamin D—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub495mlpl5g
Vitamin D and Hair Loss — https://www.healthline.com/health/vitamin-d-deficiency-hair-loss#vitamin-d-and-hair-loss
