Within the Black community mental health is something not talked about enough. For me, I’ve used sports to help me through mental strains. Whether it be going to play basketball or just lifting weights, it’s something that helps me not only mentally but physically as well. This may not always be a sufficient way or the best way under certain circumstances. When I got injured in high school and tore my ACL I was at a really low point and realized I couldn’t turn to sports. Through this rough time, I learned to turn towards talking with someone I trust or even writing. This was one of the main reasons I wanted to go into sports journalism. Being able to write those feelings out in my notes or talk to a friend helped a lot. The last way, which might not be the most efficient, is taking naps. Being able to say, “Hey I deserve a break and I’ll get back to it,” helped immensely. It helped with stress and just headaches from overthinking. These three things are key when I try to relax or take a mental break.