Mental Health Awareness: Six Ways To Laugh Off The Stress And Find Your Way To Joy Today
We could all use a break from the bleak headlines and endless press conferences about COVID-19. Though it is important to stay informed, itâs also necessary to maintain a balance during work from home life, find ways to relax and be entertained, and relieve bouts of anxiety or even signs of burning out. Weâve found the easiest and most inexpensive method is a good, old fashioned laugh session.
With May being Mental Health Awareness month, weâve compiled a list of Instagram accounts that are full of displays of Black joy that are sure to make you laugh, cackle or at the very least crack a smile.
IG: @SpiceAdams
The Spice Adams Instagram account is run by Anthony Adams, a former NFL player who turned his retirement into a second calling with online comedy bits. He was one of the first to parody Teddy Rileyâs technical misfires during the Verzuz battle with Babyface causing even Teddy to share in the laughs. He even made a live appearance at one of D-Niceâs viral Club Quarantine parties. From jamming out in his car to all your favorite songs to dancing like your cool uncle at the cookout, Adams brings you all the hilarious #BlackJoy you can stomach.Â
IG: @BlvckVrchives
So much Black goodness in here! Itâs basically a national (sometimes Caribbean) photo album and video archive of Black family life. Weâre talking family reunions, holiday gatherings, spades games, wedding receptions, and all the good stuff you probably miss the most when it comes to hanging with your family. Thereâs everything from adorable historic photo booth shots from 70 years ago to a likely chance of catching a glimpse of some relatives at Freaknik in its heyday. All (Black) love.
IG: @KaaviaJames
Kaavia James is the toddler child of Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union. You might be wondering why you would follow a human who one, is brand new to social media and two, who can only string a couple of words together. The answer is that the adults in Kaaviaâs life have created a whole online personality for this little one, complete with memes, hilarious captions, and funny videos. The pretend antics Kaavia gets into with her best friend, Shirley and her clique of stuffed animals will have you coming up with your own script in your mind. Her Instagram account also highlights other awesome little girls each week. They are giving her early lessons in sisterly love and it is beyond adorable.
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IG: @WillSmith
Will Smith was late to join Instagram (he didnât get on until 2017), but he quickly became the Prince of IG with his funny jokes, motivational tidbits, and behind-the-scenes looks at his quirky family life with Jada and the kids. Since the quarantine has been in full effect, Smith has been (virtually) chopping it up with celebrity friends and adding even more âDid you see that?â moments to his already thick resume of pop culture cred.
IG: @BlkEmilyDickinson
The Black Emily Dickinson IG account is a big bag of âWhat did I just watch?,â moments, but in a good way. In addition to regular segments that somehow make vocabulary-building for adults interesting, creator Cree Miles also offers fun bits like âtrap poetryâ performances and the occasional glimpse of a womb-envy worthy baby. The real draw though is the down-to-earth book reviews with smart, witty takes.Â
IG: @BlackJoyParade
The Black Joy Parade is an annual event in Oakland that puts (yep, you guessed it) Black joy on the front and center. Though the event showcases creatives, entrepreneurs, and entertainers from the Bay Area, the joy captured in video and pictures on the Instagram account is enough to make anyone break out into a smile and forget their woes, even if just temporarily. Plus, the organizers have put together a fund to help local artists impacted by COVID-19. What if Black collectives all over the country got together to do that? Imagine the joy AND an inspiration spreading through the world. Itâs something weâd love see.
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