Kamala Harris Shares Her 'No. 1 Rule' On How She Protects Her Mental Health
Vice President Kamala Harris recently shared some of her own mental health advice, including one major rule she thinks is important to stand by: Stay away from comment sections.
During an appearance on Monday’s episode of “All The Smoke” podcast, the Democratic presidential nominee was asked to share how she prioritizes her own mental health, particularly as someone who has made many “firsts” as a Black and Asian woman in elected positions.
“Well, No. 1 rule: Don’t read the comments,” Harris responded with a laugh. “I’m serious. Don’t read the comments, let’s start there.”
The vice president told hosts, former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, that she also practices other strategies to focus on her mental wellness, such as exercising and cooking.
“For me it’s just mind, body and spirit,” she said, before sharing the importance of being “intentional about who you have in your life.”
“I am blessed to have an incredible family and incredible friends — my best friend from kindergarten is still one of my best friends,” she said, before naming Stacey Johnson-Batiste, who spoke in support of Harris at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Elsewhere in the podcast episode, Harris was asked to address how it feels to have people publicly question her bi-racial identity.
Harris is the daughter of two immigrant parents. Her late South Asian mother was born in India, and her father, who’s Black, was born in Jamaica.
In July, former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, had falsely accused Harris of not identifying as Black until a few years ago. His lie has spurred right-wing conspiracy theoriesabout Harris’ Blackness.
The vice president told the “All the Smoke” co-hosts that she doesn’t “listen” to other opinions about her race.
“I’m really clear about who I am, and if anybody else is not, they need to go through their own level of therapy — that’s not my issue,” she said. “My mother was very clear. She was raising two Black girls to be two proud Black women. And that was never — it was never a question.”
The vice president brushed off Trump’s false claims surrounding her racial identity when asked to address them during a sit-down interview with CNN’s Dana Bash in August.
“Same old tired playbook,” Harris said about her Republican opponent at the time. “Next question, please.”
