My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Mending of Our Bodies and Hearts

by Resmaa Menakem

Take long, relaxing baths in bath salts (Epsom salts, for example) or bubble baths. Some of the best bubble baths are the ones supposedly formulated for kids. • Spend time in nature. Surfing, hiking in the woods, hang gliding, napping on the beach, and sitting on a park bench all qualify. • Laugh regularly. Spend at least an hour a week watching funny films, standup comedians, cat videos, late-night comedy shows, or anything else that makes you laugh out loud. • Hug and kiss your parents, grandparents, and siblings—and, of course, your partner and kids. If you don’t already do this regularly, start now. • If you have a dog or cat, spend regular time with it. Pet it, play with it, run with it, train it, etc. • Volunteer at a hospital neonatal intensive care unit to touch and hold newborns. Hold babies of every color.