SELF-CARE & COMMUNITY CARE
What is Self-Care?
Self-care is the intentional engagement of actions & practices taken by individuals to promote their physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, & social well-being. Self-care is an act of compassion towards oneself. It involves taking responsibility for one's health & happiness by prioritizing activities that nurture & rejuvenate oneself.
What is the objective of Self-Care?
The goal is to enhance resilience, reduce stress, prevent burnout, & improve the quality of life for individuals. It involves recognizing & responding to one's needs, setting boundaries, & engaging in activities that promote self-renewal & fulfillment. By prioritizing self-care, individuals can better cope with challenges, thrive in their personal & professional lives, & sustain their ability to contribute to their communities.
What is Burnout?
An important part of self-care is recognizing burnout. Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, & mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, overwork, or exposure to challenging & demanding situations. It often occurs in stressful environments caused by overwhelming demands resulting in feeling there is a lack of control or support.
Burnout can result in serious consequences on individual wellness. It is important to be aware of burnout for prevention & early recognition to address it.
Common Characteristics of Burnout:
Fatigue
Cynicism
Detachment from work or other responsibilities
Common Symptoms of Burnout:
Headaches & digestive issues
Irritability & mood swings
Reduced concentration & memory problems
For more info on Burnout, click here & scroll down to access the free PDF version of ‘Let This Radicalize You: A Workbook’ by Kelly Hayes & Mariame Kaba
What does Self-Care look like?
Physical Self-Care
Regular exercise & physical activity as well as adequate rest & sleep
Hygiene – both personal & general
Balanced Diet & Nutrition – incorporating healthy, well-rounded eating habits & choices
Emotional Self-Care
Practicing self-compassion & kindness towards oneself
Engaging in activities that bring joy &fulfillment
Lifestyle Patterns – exercise, activity, & leisure
Seeking support from friends, family, or therapists when needed
Mental Self-Care
Engaging in mindfulness or meditation practices
Setting boundaries to protect mental energy & well-being
Stimulating the mind through learning, reading, or creative activities
Spiritual Self-Care
Engaging in practices that foster inner peace & reflection, such as prayer or meditation
Exploring personal values & beliefs to find meaning & purpose
Connecting with nature & engaging in activities that nurture a sense of spirituality
Social Self-Care
Nurturing healthy relationships with loved ones & friends
Participating in community or social activities that provide a sense of belonging
Setting aside time for socializing & connecting with others
Common Self-Care Misconceptions
Excess spending
Overindulgence in much-loved unwholesome foods
Instant gratification activities
Extravagant & costly trips
Self-perfection at any cost
Alcohol or substance use to mask feelings
Binge-viewing TV or other media
Why is Self-Care important?
Regular practice of self-care creates both short-term & long-term advantages that enhance your health & well-being & can improve your health!
Short-Term Benefits
Decrease levels of stress
Increase sense of self-worth
Enhanced sense of belonging & feeling connected
Long-Term Benefits
Gaining more control over chronic health conditions
Preventing diseases & disorders
Decrease levels of stress
Improve & strengthen healthy relationships
Deeper job satisfaction
Diminish risk & lessen effects of burnout
Enriched quality of life
Why might Self-Care not be enough?
Although self-care is essential for the well-being of individuals, it may not be enough support on its own. Individual well-being is deeply interconnected with the well-being of the broader community & societal structures. Community-engaged care compliments individualistic practices of self-care by involving collective efforts within communities to foster well-being & resilience. Combining self-care with community care is vital, when we care for others, we also care for ourselves. Examples of community care include: Toronto Prisoners’ Rights Project and Urban Roots Farm.
What is Community Care?
Community care emphasizes the importance of sustaining individual & collective well-being. It is a communal endeavour that aims to support & uplift others within a broader network of reciprocity by emphasizing solidarity, shared responsibility, & cultural healing practices within the community. Community care promotes holistic wellness & recognizes that challenges & burnout affect individuals within the community; addressing root causes through advocacy, structural change, & mutual support. Community care fosters interconnectedness, addresses systemic issues, & creates a more compassionate world.
What is the objective of Community Care?
Ultimately, the goal of community care is to cultivate a sense of belonging, connection, & empowerment, strengthening the well-being of its members, & addressing broader social issues, while promoting equity & justice.
What does Community Care look like?
Community Solidarity: creating networks of support where individuals can lean on each other during challenging times such as peer counselling, support groups, or simply being there to listen & offer understanding.
Collective Responsibility: recognizing the burden of self-care shouldn’t fall solely on the individual but should be shared among community members. This can involve organizing collective rest days, rotating responsibilities, & distributing resources equitably.
Cultural Healing Practices: incorporating cultural traditions & healing practices that resonate with the community’s values & heritage. This might include ceremonies, rituals, or storytelling that promote resilience & connection.
Structural Advocacy: addressing systemic issues that contribute to burnout, such as inequitable distribution of resources, lack of institutional support, & oppressive policies. This may involve advocating for policy changes, building alliances with other social justice movements, & challenging oppressive power structures
Holistic Wellness: emphasizing a holistic approach to well-being that considers physical, emotional, mental, & spiritual aspects of health. This can involve promoting healthy lifestyle practices, mindfulness techniques, & creative expression as tools for self-care.
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