Self-Care During Civil Unrest

Each quarter, a group of students, faculty, and staff at WWU convene an environmental justice reading group to read and discuss recent texts. In Fall 2020 the group read Sarah Jaquette Ray’s A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety. This post reflects and extends our discussion.

 

Self-Care During Civil Unrest

By: Chloe Brush and Jacob Quintana

 

Things have been anything but stable in the U.S. over the last year given the global COVID-19 pandemic. This alone has brought the inequalities that exist within society to the attention of the American people. 2020 is also a major election year, which brings up an entirely different list of issues into concern. It has become hard to stay away from news and social media because of everything that has been happening. As students and community members, the 2020 election, combined with the stresses of school and COVID-19, was incredibly taxing on mental health, which eventually takes a toll on physical wellbeing, too. After talking with classmates in a discussion-like setting, it became clear that everyone was mentally drained. Now that the election is over, self-care is still incredibly important as we try to navigate what the future looks like. 

 

Here are ten ways we can care for ourselves:

1. Breathe. Take deep, slow breaths. Focus attention on this instead of surroundings.
2. Exercise. This will get the blood flowing to the brain and generally improves mood. Plus, it is a good way to distract. 
3. Get good sleep. Whether this is establishing a nightly routine (tea, reading, skincare, etc.) or simply getting a full eight to ten hours, sleep is one of the most important things for mental wellbeing. The app “Sleep Cycle” is a great way to monitor sleeping habits, too.
4. Write in a journal. Getting thoughts on paper is a good way to let out the stress they may be causing you. 
5. Try guided meditation. There are plenty of videos on Youtube that can fit into any schedule. 
6. Show kindness to others and yourself.
7. Make a yummy soup.
8.  If you’re not feeling soup, make your favorite food.
9. Listen to “feel-good” songs, or whatever music suits your mood.
10. Reach out and connect with friends or other people in your community.

 

When the time is right, perhaps reflect on how you will mobilize in the future, whether it be giving to mutual aid funds or organizing for issues you believe in. 

 

For Western students, the Counseling Center, CASAS, ADCAS, and the Student Health Center are all resources that are available via Zoom and by phone.