African American women are at risk for all sorts of health problems. This column is designed to give them the tools they need to get healthy and/or to stay healthy. We know the problem. We need some sound advice on what to do.

You hear about men having heart attacks…. many women are the caretakers for those men, but they don’t know that heart attacks and heart disease are permanent among women. I love the theme “Take Wellness to heart.” Women take so many things—-we take our responsibility of being wives, being daughters, being members of the community——but not frequently, not seriously enough, do we take our own wellness to heart.

This quote came from a book by Hudson & Stern1. According to them, taking wellness to heart means the following actions:

1. Gain knowledge - What affects African American women.
2. Ask questions and expect answers – Get a provider that can give you information in a way that you understand.
3. Know the risk factors specific to women and to African Americans in general – Do not hide from them. Meet them directly and conquer them.
4. Avoid stress when you can, and manage it when you can’t avoid it – You come from generations and generations of many who
   have overcome.
5. Remain or become part of a social group – It should be with people who share your interest. People who are positive.
6. Equally important, don’t be too busy yourself and don’t let other people in your family be too busy to share feelings, ideas, and concerns – Stress grows out of pain and frustrations. Get together as a family and share. Make sure everyone has a chance.
7. Keep a journal – It is a way to release thoughts and emotions. It is a great stress management tool.
8. No matter how busy your are, take regular time out for yourself each day – you it to yourself. You have earned it.

- Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin, Inc.(BHCW)