Rooted in Breath: Why We Honor BIPOC Mental Health Month

July is BIPOC Mental Health Month, a time to center the mental and emotional well-being of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This month was established by the late author and advocate Bebe Moore Campbell, a Black woman who understood that mental health care must reflect the lived experiences of our communities. She fought to ensure that no one, especially Black people, would suffer in silence or be left out of the conversation.

At Exhale, we carry her passion forward, working every day to ensure Black women are seen, supported, and prioritized in mental health.

Exhale launched to be a refuge, a place where Black women could breathe and return to themselves. We created Exhale App as a daily practice of care, but we are more than an app. We are a movement. A call to Black women to say, my mental health matters, and to choose themselves not just once, but over and over again.

As we close out this month, we invite you to join us in that call. When you download and subscribe to Exhale, you’re not only investing in your well-being, you’re supporting a platform created by and for Black women. Your low-cost subscription helps us continue offering intentional, culturally grounded care through the app, and fuels our advocacy, education, and research through Exhale Cares.

Our commitment hasn’t wavered. From day one, we’ve been here to remind you:
You are not too much. You are not alone.
You don’t have to hold it all.
You are worthy of being centered in wellness spaces. Always.

Take a deep breath. Exhale. You’re home.

Reclaiming Summer as a Practice of Care

As a child, summer meant everything. Sleeping in. Riding bikes with the crew. Neighborhood kickball tournaments right in the middle of Jackson Street, our laughter echoing off front porches. Walking to the Seashore, the local pool, where we’d spend hot days swimming, snacking, and making up games with kids from around the way. And always, a stop at the Penny Saver—a Black-owned corner store in my neighborhood—for Peach Faygo pop, a bag of Red Hot chips, and some Now and Laters to stretch the sweetness of the day just a little longer. We played hard, rested harder, and carried a kind of carefree magic in our bodies that made life feel full and light. I'm so grateful to have grown up in a Black neighborhood that gave me a sense of safety and a community that felt like family.

Recently, in a Highland container led by the brilliant Gabrielle Wyatt, one of my Highland sisters reflected on this exact feeling—that we used to go hard in the summer. We played, we rested, we lived. And by the time school rolled around, we were ready. Clear. Grounded. Renewed.

That idea hasn't left me. What if we brought that same summer energy into our lives as grown Black women?

We carry so much. The world doesn’t pause for our rest. But what if we made space, even small ones, for play, joy, and care? Not as a luxury, but as a practice. A radical, intentional act of self-preservation.

This summer, I’m exploring self-care rooted in play; unstructured time, laughter with friends, and joy for joy’s sake. I’m leaning into community, where I don’t have to explain my tiredness or shrink my joy. I’m returning to fun, like letting myself be a little silly, a little free. I even went to a park recently, swung on a swing set, and went down a slide. It felt good to reconnect with that younger part of me. I’m remembering what it feels like to be carefree, even while holding all that I carry. Even in the midst of everything happening in our world—so much of it painful and devastating—we cannot let them steal our joy.

What would it look like to give ourselves just a little of that this season?

At Exhale, we believe care isn’t only about quiet and stillness. It’s also about movement, joy, and being fully alive. This summer, may we all find ways, big or small, to go hard in our own way. To make space for that same energy we knew as kids. So we can return to our lives, our work, and our communities with clarity, wholeness, and a deeper connection to ourselves.

 We deserve that.

 Katara, Founder of Exhale

Reflection Prompt:
What did summer feel like for you as a child?
What moments of joy, freedom, or play stand out in your memory?
How might you bring even a small piece of that energy into your life this season?

Take a few minutes to journal, voice note, or simply sit with these questions. Your younger self may have something to share with you.

May Is Over, But Our Mental Health Isn’t

As May comes to a close, so does Mental Health Awareness Month. But for Black Women, the conversation around mental health doesn’t end with the month. It lives in our bodies, our breath, our daily lives.

We carry so much. We navigate a world that too often asks us to be invincible, even when we're exhausted. We hold the joy, the grief, the brilliance, and the burnout.

That’s why at Exhale, we don’t see May as the finish line. We see it as a reminder. A pause. A collective breath in a long journey toward healing that we deserve every single day of the year.

And mental health isn’t only about healing. It’s also about maintenance, tending to ourselves regularly, not just when we’re in crisis. Just like we care for our bodies with food, sleep, and movement, our emotional and mental well-being needs consistent attention too. It’s the quiet, everyday tending that keeps us grounded.

In our State of Self-Care for Black Women report, over 1,000 Black women told us loud and clear:

• 77% said there’s a need for resources tailored specifically to their needs.

• Over 70% experience high levels of daily stress.

• Many named racial trauma, stereotypes, and discrimination as key contributors to their stress—both in the workplace and in their personal lives.

This isn’t just a wellness issue. It’s a justice issue. It’s a call to action. And it’s a call inward, to keep choosing ourselves.

So, what do we do when the spotlight on mental health fades? We keep going. We keep reclaiming moments of peace. We keep turning to practices that remind us our well-being matters.

Whether it's through a guided breath in the Exhale App, journaling in silence, reaching out to a therapist, or simply choosing to pause, your care is valid and necessary. Not just in May, but always.

If you're looking for support beyond the app, check out The Loveland Foundation. It’s a beautiful resource offering therapy assistance to Black women and girls.

May is over, but we’re still here. Still breathing. Still healing. Together.

The Power of Stillness: Embracing Life’s Quiet Growth

As the world wakes up to the rhythms of spring, it’s easy to get caught up in the bustle of new beginnings—the rush to make things happen, to grow, to bloom. But what if the key to our growth isn’t in the doing, but in the stillness? What if, in the quiet moments, life is already unfolding?

Growing up, I watched my grandmother in her garden—a space that was alive with energy yet defined by its stillness. She didn’t rush her plants. She tended to them with reverence, giving them the time and care they needed to grow. There was something so grounding about watching her move through the garden, gentle yet purposeful. Each plant, from collard greens to tomatoes, required patience, space, and quiet attention to thrive. As I reflect on those moments, I see the profound lesson that nature teaches us: growth takes time.

Even in moments of stillness, life is unfolding.

Much like the earth, our minds and bodies need space to grow, to heal, and to simply be. It’s easy to forget that healing doesn’t always happen in the flurry of activity. Sometimes, healing begins with a single step outside, breathing in the world around us, and allowing ourselves the space to just be. The constant pressure to be productive, to hustle, can drown out the small, quiet shifts that are taking place within us.

We forget that stillness itself holds power.

In nature, we see this truth reflected all around us. Seeds are planted, and though they appear dormant, something is happening beneath the surface. Roots are growing, unseen, preparing for the future. Similarly, in the quiet moments of our lives, we are often doing the unseen work—the work of reflection, of reclaiming our peace, of gently allowing the space for our hearts to heal. We may not always feel it, but in the stillness, there is growth.

In the pauses, life is unfolding.

As we embrace the beauty of spring, I encourage you to consider how you can lean into moments of stillness. Take a walk outside, breathe deeply, and trust that the time you take to care for yourself is not time wasted. Just as a garden needs space and patience to grow, so do we. Let’s remember that sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do for ourselves is to simply be still and let life unfold.

The Power of Community: Thriving Together

With the arrival of spring and its promise of renewal, I’ve been reflecting on the power of community. For Black women, community has always been more than a place of gathering—it is a source of strength, healing, and truth. It is how we have survived. And if we are to move beyond survival into thriving during the next four years of this administration, interdependence is something we must lean into with intention. We, the 92%, came together, stood together, and are still here together.

Our collective power has always been our greatest strength, and we must continue to show up for each other, now more than ever.

Colonizers understood the power of our togetherness—that's why they worked so hard to break us apart. They knew that when we are connected, we are unstoppable. Community reminds us of who we are. It holds our history, our wisdom, and our resilience.

And just like nature in the spring, we are designed to exist in interdependence—supporting one another, growing together, and flourishing side by side. 

As a little girl growing up in a Black community, I experienced the beauty of interconnectedness firsthand. When I would leave my house and ride my bike through the neighborhood, people knew me and my family and looked out for me. It was a place where I felt seen and safe. Everyone knew my mom and grandmother, which meant they knew me even before I knew them. That sense of belonging shaped who I am today. It taught me that we are not meant to navigate life alone but that our strength is in the relationships we build and nurture.

As the founder of Exhale, I built this space knowing that Black women need each other. We deserve spaces that center our experiences, honor our emotions, and affirm our worth.

Exhale is a reminder that you don't have to do this alone. We are here for you, walking this path together.

Let this season be one where we recommit to each other, where we lean on and uplift one another. Our power is in our togetherness, and together, we will thrive. 

Keep exhaling,

Katara

Standing in Our Truth: Black Women, Leadership, and Resilience

As Black History Month comes to a close, we reflect on our history—not just the ones we deeply honor but the ones we live every day. This month has been a time of celebration, remembrance, and deep acknowledgment of who we are: leaders, knowers, and truth-tellers. It is who we have always been.

 Yet, this February has felt different. We are witnessing the rollback of DEI initiatives, a stark reminder of how systems respond when Black progress is visible and undeniable.

And still, we rise. Black women have always led the charge for justice and equity, and this moment is no different.

We are the 92%, the decisive force that carries history forward, ensuring our communities are seen, heard, and valued. Our power is unwavering, and our impact is undeniable.

As the founder of Exhale, I see every day how vital it is for Black women to have spaces dedicated to their healing and well-being. I created Exhale because I know firsthand the weight we carry and the strength it takes to keep going. At Exhale, we stand firm in our mission.

As a Black woman-owned business, we are committed to prioritizing Black women's mental health and emotional well-being.

We know that caring for ourselves is both an act of resistance and a necessity for our collective liberation. We are not backing down. We are doubling down. Our experiences, our needs, and our voices will remain centered—not just this month, but always.

 So, as Black History Month ends, let this be a reminder: our work continues.

Our leadership remains strong. Our truth is immutable. We are standing tall in our purpose and always will be.

Download Exhale App today and prioritize your well-being.

Prioritizing Your Mental Health This Winter

As the colder months settle in and the year comes to a close, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle of the holidays, end-of-year deadlines, and life's daily demands. But this time of year can also bring unique challenges to our mental health. Shorter days, less sunlight, and the weight of expectations can leave us feeling drained, anxious, or disconnected.

For Black women, these pressures often come layered with additional responsibilities and societal expectations, making it even more crucial to prioritize mental health and well-being.

At Exhale, we want to remind you that taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's essential.

Winter's Challenges—and Finding Comfort

Like many of you—this time of year can be challenging for me too. I often find myself chasing the sun, looking for those little pockets of light that spill into my home. Whether it's sitting near a window or standing in a warm sunbeam, I take those moments to breathe and recharge. But as much as I cherish those slivers of sunlight, I still struggle with how early the darkness sets in.

To stay cozy and grounded, I pull out my warmest sweaters, wrap myself in blankets, and do my best to create a sense of warmth, even when the world outside feels cold and dim. These small acts of care remind me to slow down and embrace the season instead of resisting it. It's a reminder that self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity, especially during these challenging times.

How to Prioritize Your Mental Health

Here are a few ways to nurture yourself this winter:

1. Give Yourself Permission to Rest Rest is a powerful tool, and it's one we all deserve. Prioritize sleep, take breaks, and remind yourself that productivity doesn't define your worth.

2. Find Joy in Small Moments Whether savoring a warm drink, journaling your thoughts, or listening to a calming meditation, small moments of joy can significantly impact your mental health.

3. Stay Connected to Your Community Lean on those who love and affirm you. Whether through a call, text, or in-person connection, relationships with people who "get it" can provide a sense of grounding.

4. Use Resources Designed for You Exhale was created to support Black women's mental health and well-being. We offer affirmations, meditations, and resources to help you navigate life's ups and downs. This app is a tool to center yourself and breathe through the noise of life.

We're Here for You

This winter, make your mental health a priority. You are worthy of care, rest, and peace—not just during the holidays but daily. At Exhale, we're here to walk alongside you, reminding you that you are seen, valued, and supported. You are not alone in this journey.

Take a deep breath. You've got this, and we've got you.

Keep Exhaling,

Katara

Founder, Exhale

Embracing Ease: A Call for Black Women to Release the Pressure of Overexertion

In The State of Self-Care for Black Women Report by Exhale, a powerful data point stood out: 66% of 1,005 Black Women reported overexerting themselves to excel in the workplace while managing personal responsibilities. This is an all-too-familiar reality for many of us. I, too, have found myself in this cycle of overexertion, constantly striving to do it all, juggling professional achievements with the responsibilities of caring for our families and communities. Lately, I’ve been getting curious about this narrative and what it would mean to embrace a life of more ease.

The pressure to overextend isn’t just a personal flaw; it’s rooted in centuries of systemic oppression.

From slavery to Jim Crow, Black Women have been conditioned to believe that we must prove our worth through relentless work and sacrifice. This history is not just a backdrop, but a living force that shapes our experiences. It’s a colonized idea that says we must do more, be more, and give more—even when it costs us our well-being. We fear being seen as lazy or lacking drive, but these beliefs weren’t created by us; they were imposed upon us.

What if we reframed this notion of hard work and allowed ourselves to embrace a life of intention and ease? It isn’t laziness—it’s radical self-care and a necessary act of resistance. Living with more ease doesn’t mean neglecting responsibilities; it means releasing the pressure to constantly overextend ourselves in order to prove our value. It means redefining what success looks like on our terms. When we choose to move with more intention and embrace rest, we gain clarity, creativity, and deeper connections with ourselves and others.

This journey of choosing ease isn’t easy, but it’s essential.

It's a journey that is not just about self-care, but about redefining our worth and reclaiming our lives. Let’s ask ourselves: What does an easeful life look like for me? What would it feel like to let go of unnecessary burdens and trust that I am worthy, no matter what?

In embracing ease, we reclaim our time, energy, and well-being. We honor our ancestors who dreamed of a future where we could rest and thrive, not just survive. And in doing so, we create a legacy of freedom and self-care for generations to come.

Decolonizing Our Self-Care: Building Communities of Reciprocity

As Black women, we often carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, and too often, we are expected to pour endlessly into others without ever being poured back into. The history of this extraction runs deep, rooted in the colonized systems that have conditioned us to believe that our value lies in how much we can give, how much we can endure, and how well we take care of others. But true self-care goes far beyond the surface. It requires us to decolonize our minds, our hearts, and our spirits.

Decolonizing self-care means recognizing that we are worthy of relationships and communities where there is reciprocity—where we are not only giving but also receiving. This is a fundamental aspect of our self-worth and it's crucial that we are in spaces that uplift us, surrounding ourselves with people who celebrate our essence, and engage in relationships where our emotional, physical, and spiritual needs are met with love, support, and care.

Yes, getting our hair and nails done is part of our joy, but we must also expand our definition of self-care to include the building of intentional, supportive communities. These communities must be places where we are nourished, valued, and empowered, not just seen for what we can offer. In these spaces, we can heal, thrive, and break free from the cycle of extraction that has long been placed upon us.

The shift from a colonized mindset to a decolonized one is not just beneficial for our well-being, it's an act of resistance.

It's a powerful reclaiming of our time, our energy, and our worth. It's a recognition that we deserve to be held, nurtured, and loved in ways that sustain us, and it's a testament to our strength and resilience.

In building communities of reciprocity, we can truly take care of ourselves—mind, body, and soul. Let's commit to being in relationships that pour into us as much as we pour into others. Decolonized self-care is not just about surviving; it's about thriving in spaces where we are fully supported.

Let's recommit to decolonizing our self-care practices by prioritizing reciprocity, creating spaces where we are valued and empowered, and where we, as Black Women, can pour into ourselves just as much as we do for others. May this be our unwavering mission, our steadfast focus, and our resolute determination.

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