Our nation is a diverse group of individuals with many different values, traditions, experiences, preferences, and also knowledge. Family, race, gender, sexuality, and also culture can all intersect in many ways in our lives. They can connect with our individual experiences, identities, stereotypes, and societal practices.
While we are growing up, we’re developing our personal identity. Throughout life, we have individual experiences that shape who we are and how we feel about ourselves.
One important aspect of life is having the appropriate coverage for health insurance, auto insurance, homeowners or renters insurance, and life insurance. Car insurance rates are highest for young drivers, so it’s important to compare rates. Comparing rates online is a great way to find cheap car insurance for male drivers under 25.
In addition, family, race, gender, sexuality, and culture can all intersect in areas of diversity, our personal identity, discrimination, and health. Taking care of yourself is important in overall well being no matter how you identify yourself or how others identify you.
Diversity
Diversity means that we are alike and different in many ways. This includes family, race, gender, sexuality, and culture. Recognizing and appreciating diversity is a positive trait. It enables us to work together, learn from others, and live in harmony.
Family is the biological family we were born into or the family we have created with friends, neighbors, or colleagues. There are as many different types of families as there are colors in a crayon box.
We describe race as similar characteristics that a group of people shares. Race is a a social construct, while some may consider it a biological construct. Race can be self-identified, but can also be certain physical characteristics that others may identify in us.
Gender and sex are different terms that people incorrectly use interchangeably. Sex is determined at birth and is the sex organs that are present at birth. Gender is more fluid and is determined by an individual. Gender is related to the traits that correspond to femininity and masculinity.
Sexuality refers to the feelings about what gender people are attracted to or feel love toward, it can also refer to someone’s sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is an individual preference and is self-identified.
Culture can either be the ideals, values, beliefs, and traditions of the culture we are raised in or the culture that we may grow up in later in life. Culture gives us a sense of belonging and is also related to feelings and emotions.
There are different types of culture in our lives. We have a culture in our neighborhoods, cities, counties, workplaces, religious places, and other places we gather.
Rather than think of family, race, gender, sexuality, and culture as separate concepts, we should look at them as intersecting and influencing one another.
Personal Identity in Family, Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Culture
Our personal identity is how we identify ourselves. This is how we view ourselves and what makes us unique from others. We can personally identify ourselves with culture, race, gender, sexuality, and family.
Accepting yourself and feeling accepted by others is one important step you can take toward true happiness. Focusing on your positive aspects, learning from mistakes, and treating others with respect will cultivate feelings of happiness.
Discrimination and Unfair Treatment
The sad reality in our current world is that many people experience social injustice, discrimination, unfair treatment, and prejudice because of their family, culture, gender, sexuality, or race.
The simple fact is that all people should live their lives how they choose as long as they are not harming others or breaking the law. We should be able to identify how we wish, love who we want to love, and experience life in ways we choose to be happy and healthy.
Discrimination and unfair treatment can lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and can affect self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth. It is important to take care of yourself if you are feeling emotionally unstable or having feelings of anxiety in your life.
If you feel that you experience unfair treatment or injustice, one option is to try therapy or counseling. This option can give you a safe place to talk about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It will not solve systemic problems but may give you some strategies to cope with the stress and feelings you experience.
If you live in Connecticut, for example, you can find options for counseling in southeastern Connecticut, marriage counseling in Mystic, Connecticut, or anxiety counseling In East Lyme, Connecticut online.
Health Connections
Family, race, and culture can influence many health variables. They can either be internal or external influences. Internal would be related to genes or family history, while external would be environmental factors like health habits.
The risk for overweight and obesity relates to family, race, and culture. Many chronic health issues like heart disease, cancer, and Type 2 diabetes have controllable and uncontrollable risk factors. Some of those uncontrollable risk factors are things like age, sex, race, and family history.
Our culture can influence our nutrition and eating patterns. We may celebrate special cultural events or holidays with certain foods or meals. The Super Bowl is one aspect of the American culture that can influence our eating habits on that particular day.
Taking Care of Yourself
The best ways we can take care of ourselves do not differ much for people of various cultures, races, genders, or sexual preferences. Healthy eating and physical activity are two of the foundations of good health. It’s important to eat a variety of colorful fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nuts/seeds, and lean protein foods. It’s also important to limit processed foods and watch portion sizes.
Staying active will keep you energized, keep your bones and muscles strong, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality. Getting enough sleep is also important for good health. Sleep is the body’s way of healing, repairing, and recovering.
Staying hydrated is another important aspect of taking care of yourself and your body. Drinking plenty of water and fluids helps prevent the symptoms of dehydration and keeps your cells healthy.
Other ways to take care of yourself include treating yourself to a special gift, getting a massage, enjoying nature, or having a day of relaxation. Socializing, participating in hobbies, and spending time with loved ones are also good strategies for emotional and social health and wellness. Prayer, meditation, or yoga are options to cultivate spiritual health and wellness.
Therapy and counseling are options to deal with feelings, improve family relationships, or develop coping skills for many life situations.
Be Kind
At the end of the day, we all have different backgrounds, experiences, preferences, and identities. The best thing we can do to be happy and healthy is to treat others how we want to be treated and always be kind to everyone around us.
Melissa Morris writes for the auto insurance comparison site, Insurantly.com. She has an MS in exercise science, is an ACSM certified exercise physiologist, and an ISSN certified sports nutritionist.
