Learning to Listen: Self-Care for the Activist & Empath

The world has ignited with pain, sorrow, anger, passion, and purpose. Emotions are high and activists all around uniting in many different ways. There are protests, community support groups, social media movements, and people beginning to have authentic conversations with their friends and families in the hope to create change in the #blacklivesmatter movement. 

Such drive and passion create a level of stress that is important to recognize within oneself. Stress isn’t always a negative thing, we can have good stress, but our body doesn’t know the difference, the same chemicals are released: cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. The idea that a good activist is one that dedicates all of their energy to others will often cause burn-out. When burn-out happens, it’s your body & mind’s way of saying “you didn’t give me rest, so now I’m going to make you rest”. In order to be effective with your passion and purpose, you must learn to listen and attend to your own needs individually and collectively.  

Self-Care Challenge: Here are some questions to ask yourself & answer?

1. Is the rate I’m going sustainable? If not, what do I need to give myself permission to do or not do that my mind and body needs?
2. Make a list of things you want to do to be a part of the change for the day or week.
3. Remember to eat well and hydrate
4. Daily check-ins & consider what type of rest you need (see pic!)

Mandy Morris, LPC

#mentalhealth #activism #selfcare #anxiety #depression #blacklivesmatter #supporsystem #burnout #compassgionfatigue #selflove