Self-care and Social Justice: Consumerist Gimmick or Radical Act?
This International Self-Care Day, Liz, Bath Mind’s Diversity and Inclusion Lead, reflects on the origins of self-care and how we can meaningfully practice it to promote our wellbeing.
Bubble baths. Face masks. Luxury candles. All products we associate with being the epitome of wellness. The wellbeing industry is worth a staggering £3.2trillion globally, so it feels fair to assume that we place a lot of value on personal care.
Moreover, Instagram has reported that the hashtags ‘self-care’ and ‘wellness’ have 85.9 million and 72.4 million tags respectively, suggesting that this topical subject is also focused on being ‘aesthetically pleasing’.
Ideas of modern wellness are often centred around nourishing supplements, expensive activewear and luxurious wellness retreats. But what if you do not have the funds for this lavish lifestyle? And do these aesthetically pleasing practices benefit our wellbeing?
What is self-care?
Whilst self-care is highly personal, it is often defined as, “anything we do for ourselves solely for the purpose of looking after our body or minds.” The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) definition of self-care goes further saying, “it is the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker”.
Why is self-care important?
Self-care is very important as it ensures we are doing all the things our body and mind need to function at their best. Unfortunately, self-care is usually framed as an indulgent luxury but in reality, it is an essential part of human flourishing because it can be instrumental in disease prevention and mitigating burnout and other mental stressors.The WHO says that self-care is not only empowering for individuals, but it also can relieve pressure on healthcare systems. However, it is important to note that self-care interventions are not about replacing mental and physical health systems, and are instead about complementing professional support with things we can do for ourselves.
What are the origins of self-care?
Black and Latinx feminist writers, such as Audre Lorde, Bell Hooks and Gloria Anzaldua, are scholars who have advocated for self-care as a form of self-preservation. During the 1950s, medical professionals shifted towards a ‘patient-centred’ care model, empowering patients to have more choice in decisions about their healthcare.
The Civil Rights, Feminist and LGBTQ+ movements in the 1960s and 1970s also added their voices to the importance of self-care. These counterculture movements brought about a radical change in social attitudes. For example, the second wave of feminism called for women to reclaim control over their lives by rejecting the expectation for them to carry out domestic tasks. Whilst some changes have been made, women and girls still provide over 70% of global caregiving hours.
During the latter half of the 20th Century, women’s legal rights were advanced with legislation such as the Equal Pay Act 1970 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, helping support more British women to enter the workplace.
Technological developments also aided the number of women who were able to relinquish some domestic chores, with washing machines, microwaves, and convenience food becoming more affordable and therefore, more commonplace. This reduced the amount of time spent performing domestic labour for many women.
Cultural Historian, Mehlman Petrzela says:
I think particularly for women, who are so often expected to care for others…the notion of taking time for yourself can be seen as selfish or indulgent. And I think that in that very basic sense, self-care absolutely can be a feminist act.
Feminism, however, was not the only social movement to focus on self-care. Many Civil Rights activists were also pioneers in the movement towards ‘self-care.’
Famously, Audre Lorde views self-care as something inherently political, stating:
Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.
As a Black feminist lesbian with a passionate voice for advocating for those from marginalised backgrounds, Lorde felt that self-care wasn’t rooted in surface-level acts of taking a bubble bath, buying a candle, or indeed any other form of consumerism. For her, self-care as a marginalised person meant rebelling against oppression and social norms, whilst also managing to look after your physical and mental health adequately.
Activism burnout and the importance of self-care
American political activist and professor, Angela Davis, said that “anyone who is interested in making change in the world has to learn how to take care of themselves first”. Modern life can be so fast paced with never-ending demands on our time making it hard to dedicate time to ourselves.
Davis says that activists and individuals in the care sector often neglect self-care because they are preoccupied with supporting the needs and rights of others. Added to this, individuals from marginalised communities are at disproportionate risk of poor mental health outcomes, making the need to prioritise rest and self-care even more important for these groups.
Davis reminds those of us working in the care sector and advocating for social change constantly (whether for racial, equality, gender equality, destigmatising mental health or indeed, any other social cause) to put self-care first because, as the old saying goes ‘you cannot pour from an empty cup’.
Ultimately, “prioritising self-care is not about self-indulgence; it is about self-preservation”, said Audre Lorde, and protecting your wellbeing enables you to be a better advocate for the people you are supporting and the cause you are trying to advance.
How can I meaningfully practice self-care?
Self-care looks different for everyone. For some people, going to the gym is their ‘me time’. For others spending time with family at the weekends is non-negotiable. Whatever it is, carving out time to do activities that ‘recharge’ us (no matter how small) can have a big impact on our overall health and wellbeing.
Here are some self-care tips to get you started:
- Get regular exercise. Even just 30 minutes of movement a day can boost your mood. Bonus points if you can get some time outside, such as going for a walk around your local park!
- Prioritise rest. Having a regular sleep and wake pattern can help to boost your mood. Experts advise switching off your devices at least an hour before bed to help with a good night’s sleep.
- Eat well and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of hydration can help you to feel well.
- Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises.
- Stay connected. Reach out to friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.
Other resources to support your wellbeing:
Self-care for mental health problems – Mind
Self-care tips videos for young people – Every Mind Matters – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Self-care tips for psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors (psychotherapy.org.uk)
Sources:
Caring for Your Mental Health – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (nih.gov)
Reclaiming Audre Lorde’s Radical Self-Care (refinery29.com)
Analysis – Radical Self-Care – BBC Sounds
What exactly is self-care and why do we need it? – BBC Bitesize
BBC Radio 4 – Radio 4 in Four – The radical history of self-care
The Powerful History of Self-Care & How to Honor It Today – Silk + Sonder (silkandsonder.com)
Posted on: 15th July 2024