Self-Care: A Personal Journey and Broader Vision

Initial Thoughts on Self-Care

• Traditional view of self-care: massages, pedicures, retreats.
• Seen as a luxury or reward.

Life-Defining Moments

• Earned doctorate in public health.
• Diagnosed with chronic kidney disease shortly after.
  • Entering management consulting career while managing health issues.
  • Experienced uncontrolled weight gain due to medication.
  • Faced struggles with daily activities and pain.

Turning Point

• Sought medical help after a painful experience in a hotel room.
• Diagnosed with a blood clot in addition to kidney disease.
• Realization of the need for self-care, despite holding a doctorate in public health.

Transformation of Perspective

• Shift from questioning "how hard can I push?" to "how can I best take care of myself?".
• Redefined identity outside of career.
• Reflected on cultural and social factors impacting health, especially for black women.

Cultural Messaging and Its Impact

• Strong female role models often prioritized others' needs above their own.
• Societal messages around success led to neglecting self-care:
  • "Work hard, play hard"
  • "You can sleep when you're dead"

Redefining Self-Care

• Self-care is any practice that helps manage stress and promote well-being.
• Developed a self-care assessment based on six categories:
  • Physical Self-Care: Regular exercise and routine medical care.
  • Psychological Self-Care: Daily journaling for self-reflection.
  • Emotional Self-Care: Practicing self-compassion.
  • Spiritual Self-Care: Connection with faith and nature.
  • Relational Self-Care: Scheduled downtime with loved ones.
  • Professional Self-Care: Engaging in fulfilling work and setting boundaries.

Support System

• Acknowledgment of the importance of support from family, friends, and professionals.
  • Helped reduce stress and improve health outcomes.

Ongoing Challenges and Community Building

• Continued struggles with anxiety and health issues (e.g., diagnosed with fibroids).
• Actively shared experiences on social media, creating a supportive community of women.

Broader Vision for Self-Care

• Critique of individual-focused self-care; advocates for a communal approach.
• Self-care should reflect shared experiences and collective support.

Social Ecological Model of Self-Care

• Multi-dimensional approach to understanding self-care behaviors:
  • Individual Level: Knowledge of health and healthy behaviors.
  • Interpersonal Level: Sharing stories and providing support.
  • Organizational Level: Creating a culture of self-care in workplaces.
  • Community Level: Ensuring access to healthy environments.
  • Policy Level: Advocating for systemic changes to reduce health disparities.

Call to Action

1. Develop a Personal Self-Care Plan: Identify accessible and enjoyable self-care practices.
2. Engage in Broader Action: Advocate for self-care at various levels, including writing to legislators and leading by example in the workplace.

Conclusion

• Importance of prioritizing self-care for individual well-being and collective health.
• Emphasis on community support in the self-care journey.