Mental Health Tips for Activists
Within only the past year, many significant events and protests have occurred. From Black Lives Matter protests to the recent Israel-Palestine conflict, many Gen Zers and Millennials have been protesting or have turned to Twitter, Instagram and other social media outlets to express their stances. While activism is important and necessary, it can be mentally taxing. Constantly fighting for your voice to be heard and to have your views recognized can be emotionally and mentally draining. In order to avoid mental burnout, it’s important for activists to focus on their mental health. Here are some tips for activists in maintaining a healthy mental state.
Set Boundaries
Activism doesn’t need to be a 24/7 job, especially when it comes at the expense of your mental health. It’s important to give yourself a break and to disconnect from social media and protests when it becomes exhausting. Additionally, it’s important to filter your social media pages to make sure you’re not exposed to posts that will fuel anger and cause you harm. When holding conversations with others, it’s okay to say “no” and avoid discussions that you don’t want to have. Having emotional boundaries can prevent triggering conversations and mental strain.
Make Time for Hobbies
While activism work may be a significant part of your life, it’s also important to focus on hobbies and activities unrelated to activism. Giving yourself the space and time to step out of your activism role and doing other things will help relieve stress and keep your life balanced. Remind yourself of the things you love to do that bring joy and excitement into your life.
Recognize and Accept Emotions
Feelings of sadness, anger, fear, numbness, fatigue and hopelessness are common upon avid activists. These emotions are valid and completely normal to experience. Allow yourself to accept these emotions and tell yourself that it’s okay to feel what you feel. This can allow you to heal and accept negative emotions as a part of life. Without recognizing and acknowledging these feelings, they may build up and cause more pain in the long run.
Practice Self-Care
With the intensified emotions that come with activism, it’s necessary to step away and refocus on yourself. Take care of your body by staying hydrated, making sure you’re eating enough throughout the day and getting enough sleep. When attending protests, keep snacks and water on to ensure you have enough energy to get through the day and wear sunscreen if you’re out for long periods of time. Engage in activities that bring you peace and calm, such as meditation, baths or even exercise. Even on days where self-care seems difficult, there are little things you can do to help you feel better and more yourself.
Writing
Words are an impactful way to get your word and thoughts out into the world, or even just out of your mind. Sometimes, when your thoughts are rambling, it may be difficult to concentrate on other tasks or get sleep. Writing is a great way to get these thoughts out. You may also want to consider journaling to document your feelings after a stressful and emotional day. One great journaling option is gratitude journaling, which will help remind you of the positive things on even the worst of days.
Find Support
Advocating for important topics can be mentally and physically draining. Surrounding yourself with loved ones and community groups can help you feel valued, appreciated, supported and empowered when being an activist becomes difficult. For individuals who want more in-depth resources, it may be beneficial to speak to a therapist or counselor, specifically one that is trained in social justice issues. There are many healthcare professionals trained to support those experiencing stress due to race, gender, refugee status, sexuality and more. There are also many resources out there for people of color that focus on a more specific target audience. Having a support system is very important in keeping yourself feeling less alone during emotionally taxing times.
Header photo: cottonbro / Pexels
Written by Talia Bina
