The Radical History of Self-Care

Self-care emerged as a revolutionary concept during the Civil Rights Movement when marginalized communities were denied basic healthcare. Key historical points:

Originated as survival tactic for Black Americans facing healthcare discrimination
Pioneered by activists like Audre Lorde who framed it as "self-preservation"
Transformed from individual necessity to community practice

"Self-care is not self-indulgence - it's self-preservation." - Audre Lorde

Why We Need a Self-Care Movement Today

Modern society faces a mental health crisis that demands collective action:

Rising anxiety and political stress nationwide
Burnout epidemic across workplaces
Stigma around mental health persists

The solution? A community-based approach to well-being that recognizes:

Individual self-care impacts collective health
Sustainable activism requires rest
Systemic change begins with personal practice

How to Start a Self-Care Movement: 5 Actionable Steps

1. Destigmatize Mental Health

Normalize conversations about mental health
Advocate for accessible mental healthcare
Share personal experiences to build connection

Create "communities of care" in your network
Host regular check-ins with friends/colleagues
Exchange practical self-care strategies

3. Establish Clear Standards

Define self-care as:

"The practice of actively protecting well-being, managing stress, and maintaining balance to prevent health crises."

Create measurable self-care goals
Track progress consistently
Adjust practices as needed

4. Model Sustainable Leadership

Avoid burnout by pacing advocacy work
Frame activism as peaks (action) and valleys (rest)
Demonstrate that self-care enables better leadership

5. Use Reflection Questions

Ask yourself and your team:

How does poor self-care impact my effectiveness?
What habits undermine my well-being?
Who can hold me accountable to my self-care plan?
How can I support others' self-care journeys?

Join the Growing Self-Care Movement

The modern self-care movement must:

Be proactive rather than reactive
Remove guilt from self-care practices
Create cultural permission to prioritize health

Next steps:
- Start small with personal practice
- Gradually expand to community circles
- Advocate for systemic support structures

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

Articles tagged "mental-health-advocacy"

Articles tagged "mental-health-advocacy"

Self-Care Movement: History & How to Start One