How to Rest and Recover While You Fight for Social Change
We’ve all seen and experienced the signs, yet we ignore them as they pop up again. Burnout is a very big reality of the lives we live. Especially now more than ever, we need to be mindful about how we are caring for our bodies, minds and spirits. If you aren’t signed up for Next 90, you may have missed Stacey Flowers speaking about how to care for our mental health. You can still grab her lesson here for free!
We want to share how to rest and recover while you fight for social change. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and we want to equip you with the knowledge to make you stronger!
- Allow yourself to process internally at your own pace
We are human. We are all different. We process differently and in different time frames. That is the beauty of being human - we’re all different! Don’t let yourself feel pressured to process your own thoughts and feelings at the rate others are going. You don’t have to be at a certain point just because of someone else.
Maybe you’re having dinner with your friends or family and everyone starts to bring up different points. If you haven’t internally figured out where you stand, feel free to say that and instead, soak in the conversation. In the meanwhile, consider these ways you can shift the conversation to find gratitude!
- Give yourself grace when you get things wrong
Do we need to remind you again that you’re human? It’s ok and maybe even a bit expected for you to mess up. Give yourself grace and recognize these moments as opportunities to learn. The important thing is you actually learn. Don’t beat yourself up so much or shrink away and let pride kick in.
- Continue to care for your health
It’s tempting to let yourself miss a workout or two, or go crazy on the sweets. Listen to your body and what it needs, but be mindful of what your body actually needs, not just wants. Fueling properly and staying active are key for the journey.
It’s easy to reach for salty and sweet snacks when you’re stressed. Take note of why you’re eating what you’re eating; are you actually hungry? Will it make you feel good long-term or only momentarily? Be cognizant of the choices you’re making. Here are a few posts that can help you with your physical health:
- Easy Ways to Move Your Body When You Don't Feel Like Working Out
- The 3 Useful Tips We Use to Eat Healthy + Free Meal Prep Printables!
- Free At-Home Workouts
- Pick a pace that is sustainable for you
We’re in this for the long haul. That means we need to be mindful about not starting way too quickly at a pace that can’t be kept up. If you feel like you’re in over your head, take a step back and reevaluate. Commit to changes and actions you can make long term.
Some people are committing to read one anti-racist book a week. Others one per month. Do not set a lofty goal that you can’t reach. It’s not a competition.