We all know we're supposed to put on our own oxygen mask before assisting others, but when things seem urgent and important—when people's lives are on the line—it can be easy to forget to take care of ourselves. Here's some self-care advice from activists who've been there.
An Activist's Guide to Staying Strong
Start With These 7 Non-Negotiable Basics
Yoga teacher and change agent Seane Corn says these seven non-negotiable self-care practices allow her to keep doing the work her heart calls her to do: yoga, meditation, prayer, sleep, a nourishing diet, therapy, and play.
Add Some Humor
After winning a Nobel Peace Prize for her work on bringing peace to Northern Ireland, Betty Williams now works to end the injustices, cruelty, and horror perpetrated on the world's children. Her key to sustaining herself? Humor.
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Activism & Humor
Keep Up the Self-Care
"Self-care is hardcore," says angel Kyodo williams. "Real self-care is being responsive to this organism as a living, breathing, generative thing that feels and wants and is made happy by little things."
Don't Forget to Dance
Don't miss out on the fun by only dancing on the battlefield, says Zainab Salbi, who argues you can't be a leader if you don't do your internal work, too.
Try a Simple Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn suggests this radical act of love: sitting still and just being with what is.
Have Hope
The indomitable Sister Joan Chittister says, "Don't let anyone tell you you're not doing it right."