The Importance of Communal Self-Care

Sep 7, 2024

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.