Wellness in Activism
Let’s talk about wellness in activism.
You might be surprised to learn that research shows engaging in positive and peaceful activism can actually promote well-being among people because it leads them to feel happier and more satisfied with working together to improve society.
In the past few weeks, I have witnessed many young people come together to support the Black Lives Movement in various ways, which includes having difficult conversations with family and friends about racial inequality. Sometimes, these conversations require challenging loved ones (especially elders) on closed-minded attitudes that have been consistent for centuries. While activism is important, admirable and necessary work, it can come with harsh consequences. Some of you have shared that these discussions have turned into heated debates -- this is hard to go through and can take a toll on your mental health.
Today, I want to talk about three ways that you can take care of yourself through it all. If you're struggling with this, these quick and short reminders can help you get back on track.
1. Know your capacity and listen to your body when you need a break.
It's not your job to "fix" everyone and there will be times that you don't feel like talking to your friends, family, or colleagues. Sometimes you genuinely need a break and that is completely okay. When you're scrolling on social media, skip over on posts that feel too overwhelming to read. Make an effort to read something light or watch something funny for at least 10-15 minutes daily.
2. When people take breaks, sometimes they also self-isolate, which can send you down a bad path. A break is most effective if you fill it with things and people you love. You don't have to talk about topics that are difficult, but actively choose to connect with people you care about and trust. This builds a sense of belonging which has a positive impact on our mental health.
3. The final reminder is to take care of your personal hygiene. This one might seem like a no-brainer to a lot of you but really pause to think about what this looks like for you. Is it finding the motivation to get dressed every morning instead of just when you have a video call, or not waiting days to wash your hair? Research shows that when we practice regular hygiene rituals, it keeps our brain active and is linked to lower levels of depression.
In quarantine, especially when we hear about tragic events, we naturally feel down and are less likely to do basic things like change our clothes daily or brush our teeth. But here's the bottom line: feeling clean and fresh boosts our self-esteem, which sets the tone of how we think and act. Engaging in activism is so much harder when we don't feel like ourselves.
Again, this work is difficult but practicing these tips can help reduce the burnout that often accompanies activism work. If you want a quick checklist to make sure you are staying on track, screenshot the guide below to help you!
