Tip of the Month: How to Use Activism as Self-Care
As tensions increase regarding global issues and politics, practicing self-compassion and care is incredibly important. Acknowledging our current reality can be stressful—do we have to separate ongoing problems from our personal lives to protect our peace? On the contrary, we can utilize activism to further our own mental health journey. As we engage with such issues, we can strengthen our community ties and personal values. Participating in activism means caring about yourself and others, but how can we use it as a form of self-care?
There is a lot going on in the world.
We do not have to disconnect ourselves from reality to practice self-care. Acknowledging global issues can often make us feel hopeless and depressed—how can we use activism to counteract this?
Find a community
Find a community that cares about the same issues as you and you will not be alone. Instead of isolating yourself, strengthen your connections with those with similar passions. Rather than letting your empathy isolate you from others, use it to find your people and community that wish to incorporate such values as well. Activism in any capacity starts somewhere—embrace your community’s journey.
Let us use our empathy and sympathy as strengths, not weaknesses.
Embrace your values for what they are, something you wish to stand for and enact daily. There is no right or wrong way to practice your values, just as there is no necessarily objective “right” or “wrong” vote. The way you wish to show up for your communities is your choice. The easiest way to engage with activism and personal values is through registering to vote and casting your ballot when it is time. While it can be scary to be voting, perhaps think of the ability to exercise your rights and values as much as you, as an individual, can. Even with external factors we cannot control, we can still choose to show up for ourselves and our communities.
Activism does not have to be “political”
Activism does not only have to align with the government. Representing your group on campus or background to educate others is also a form of activism. Furthermore, consider your own new connotation of activism. Be your own activist for your own needs and boundaries; speak up for yourself and use your voice to embrace your challenges and uplift yourself. To be active in a community and to turn your passion into action is what activism is truly at its core.
Activism and anger?
While it might seem counterintuitive, we can use anger as an indication that someone has crossed a boundary or when we sense injustice. Channel your anger toward community engagement and projects such as rallying, publishing, fundraising, and more. Use anger as fuel for your values- what can you do about such values? What communities can you join that also supports it? We cannot control our emotions, but we can choose where we put such energy. For example, if you are angry about littering in your community, you can form a group to speak at local events, pick trash, and engage your community.
Remember
Practicing self-care also means acknowledging all your emotions- even ones that do not make you feel the best. When angry or sad, connect what value has not been met in accordance- find a friend or community to talk to about it. Use activism as a coping skill, community builder, and value enhancer.
Written by: Chavi Coy, Class of 2026
Resources
Stanford Resources
- Office for Inclusion, Belonging and Intergroup Communication: Join other students in continuous learning and praxis toward social justice, liberation and a sense of belonging amongst the diverse members of the Stanford University community.
- Centers for Equity, Community & Leadership: check out one of the eight community centers to help advance equity work at Stanford, deepen intellectual engagement, and the cultivation of well-being at Stanford.
- Stanford Democracy Day: join other students in recognition that civic engagement isn't restricted to electoral participation. Democracy Day is meant to encourage voting, participation, civic engagement, dialogue, community-building, and reflection on the role of public service in your life and the lives of others.
- Get Involved: Discover student organizations at Stanford, learn how to create a new group, become a class president, and find out more about the Fraternity and Sorority experience.
- Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom at Stanford: this website offers interim guidance on the application of freedom of expression principles in different contexts around campus
Additional Resources
- How to Use Activism as Self-Care: Read about when you volunteer or champion a cause you believe in, you open the door to a number of mind-body benefits, all of which counts as self-care. JED Foundation