As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, it’s important to highlight how Latinas are redefining certain aspects of our culture and heritage. The Next Generation Latina is working hard to redefine, break, or create boundaries to prioritize overall well-being. We’re changing norms and establishing a new status quo. Here’s how Latinas are prioritizing mental and physical health through modern self-care practices! Read on to find how you can enhance your overall well-being and how modern day self-care can help. 

Physical Health 

Exercising with Purpose: Incorporating movement into your daily routine can benefit both your physical and mental health. Incorporate culture and choose physical activities like traditional Latin dances, such as salsa or bachata-let’s bring back the Zumba era! These activities get your body moving and your heart racing. Exercising outdoors can also be beneficial, as connecting with nature can provide a deeper connection to oneself. Exercise is self-care, so it should be something you find enjoyable! 

Health-Conscious Eating: Infuse the variety of Latin flavors into nutritious meals to make healthy eating more flavorful. Celebrate your culture and heritage while focusing on nutrition by selecting fresh ingredients. Traditional Latin ingredients like black beans, avocado, and fresh herbs can form the foundation of healthy and delicious meals that taste good and feel good! This infusion of culture and health-conscious eating can make wellness feel more authentic, approachable, and enjoyable!     

Mental Health 

Prioritizing Mental Wellness: Meditating, journaling, reflecting, or praying can be tools used to reduce stress and find balance and inner peace. Latinas are redefining mental wellness by incorporating mindfulness practices into their everyday routines to achieve mental and emotional clarity. Expressing gratitude can also help attract abundance and good energy.  

Community as Healing: A key element of mental wellness is the strong support of a community. Next Gen Latinas are a community who are redefining their culture, embodying the rich blend of two worlds. As Latinas, we share powerful experiences, and leaning into our social circles, family, and cultural values fosters resilience and emotional well-being. Through cultural organizations like Next Gen Latina, this community of Latinas can feel empowered and gain a sense of belonging, which can help reduce stress.  

Our culture and heritage are deeply rooted in our everyday practices, even as we move toward redefining the importance of mental and physical health. Incorporating self-care into our routines benefits our overall health. Remember, health is wealth!