Weathering isn’t just about enduring tough times—it’s a lived reality for those facing the daily grind of racism, discrimination, social adversity, and marginalization. This powerful metaphor captures the physical and mental toll that prolonged exposure to injustice can have on individuals and communities. Unlike an occasional downpour, weathering feels more like standing in a constant storm: each encounter with bias, each microaggression, each act of exclusion slowly eroding a person’s mental and physical wellbeing.
The term “weathering” was introduced by Dr. Arline Geronimus in 1992, after her groundbreaking research on infant mortality revealed something remarkable: babies born to Black teen mothers were often healthier than those born to older Black mothers. Her studies showed that younger mothers had endured less exposure to racism and, as a result, experienced less chronic stress. Over time, however, the relentless strain of navigating a world marked by injustice accumulates—creating chronic stress that wears on the body and mind. Dr. Geronimus’s public health research made it clear—systemic injustice isn’t just a societal issue; it directly impacts individual health, especially in Black, brown, working-class, and economically marginalized communities. She revealed that the lived experiences of oppression translate into measurable changes in health outcomes, from higher blood pressure and increased inflammation to shorter life expectancy.
In the United States, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are especially vulnerable to racial trauma. It’s not just about isolated events—the relentless stress of facing racism day after day, year after year, gradually takes its toll. Research continues to highlight that this kind of chronic stress elevates rates of depression, premature biological aging, anxiety, hypertension, and insulin resistance. Ongoing exposure to race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) can even cause symptoms similar to those seen in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): intrusive thoughts, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness are just a few of the mental health challenges people might face as a result.
This isn’t where the impact ends. The health disparities rooted in weathering extend beyond the individual. Families and entire communities live with the effects. Systemic racism isn’t just an abstract social ill—it’s a generational storm that impacts everything from job opportunities to access to quality schools, healthcare, safe neighborhoods, and generational wealth. Even positive resilience strategies—holding emotions in, adapting to adversity, finding ways to cope—can come at a cost. They may help people navigate day-to-day life, but the underlying stress persists, shaping physical and mental health long-term.
Although storms can fade, systemic racism remains deeply rooted, casting a shadow over generations of people of color. The consequences linger, as stress and trauma can be passed down, impacting future generations both psychologically and physically. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your own storm—whether related to race, identity, or another challenge—know that you don’t have to face it alone. Every person’s experience of weathering is unique, and seeking support is a powerful act of self-care and strength.
Lifeologie's multispecialty team of therapists stands by, ready to walk with you through whatever weather you’re experiencing—whether it feels more like a drizzle or an all-out hurricane. Lifeologie’s culturally competent, racially aware counseling approach creates a compassionate, judgment-free zone where you can process, heal, and regain your footing.
Curious to learn more about race-based traumatic stress? Or maybe you’d like to connect with a counselor who is deeply committed to cultural competence and racial-trauma-informed care. At Lifeologie Counseling, our therapists work with you to create a space that feels truly safe and empowering, so you can begin your healing journey authentically. We believe that healing from weathering isn’t just about surviving the storm—it’s about finding new hope, community, and a sense of belonging beyond it. Reach out to find a therapist near you who can help you discover authentic ways to heal from racial trauma and race-related stress.