Looking after your wellbeing as a campaigner

In the words of author and activist Audre Lorde, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." Here are a few things I personally like to do to strengthen self-care and look after myself as a campaigner. These may not be new ideas for you, but I wanted to share in case they're of use or act as a reminder

It’s sometimes difficult to acknowledge our own health and wellbeing when focusing on the urgent needs of the people we’re advocating for. But it’s important to rest. After taking time to pause, I often feel more able to return to the causes I care about with renewed energy and a clearer perspective.

Some ways I like to rest include:

• Doing meditation and breath work.
• Taking some time off social media (I like to set a time to log off social media in the evening).
• Spending some time by myself.
• Journaling about my thoughts and feelings.
• Going for walks in nature.

As campaigners, we’re frequently exposed to shocking information and images. It can be difficult to find happiness when we’re exposed to so much pain and suffering on a regular basis. I try to maintain a balance between my efforts as an activist, and my personal wellbeing by finding moments of happiness in my day. I find joy in:

• Spending time with people I love, without talking about activism.
• Getting creative and doing things I enjoy, like going out in nature, painting, drawing, making music, baking, playing an instrument, watching movies.
• Cooking a new or well-loved meal for myself or others.
• Re-reading my favourite book.
• Watching a new film.

I also try to imagine the better world we’re calling for, rather than focus on the doom and gloom of the moment. As author Arundhati Roy said, “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”

We should try to have compassion for ourselves and others who are pushing for change. The battles we fight as activists and campaigners are too big for us to tackle alone, which is why it’s so important for us to take care of ourselves and others. Some small ways I care for myself are:

• Getting plenty of sleep (aiming for 7-8 hours).
• Eating nourishing meals.
• Drinking water regularly.
• Doing regular movement/exercise.
• Tidying my space, even if it’s just a corner of my room.
• Spending time with friends, family and people I love.

When the world feels helpless, I remind myself that things can, and will, change when we work together and care for each other.

It’s not always easy to do these things. Sometimes I need to I remind myself that it’s OK to take a short break from activism. Health and wellbeing should always be the number one priority as it’s not only important to me and the people in my community, but to the overall effectiveness of the campaign in the long term. After a little time away, I can rejoin the fight for justice feeling more energised, motivated and ready to make a difference.

Thank you for all the amazing work you have done, and continue to do, as a campaigner with Oxfam. We understand how exhausting this work can be, and we thank you for supporting our campaigns.

As a member of this community, you’ve contributed to real change. Whether you’ve called on your MP to support a ceasefire in Gaza, supported a suspension of all arms sales to Israel, or advocated for a tax on luxury travel, you’ve helped get these important issues onto the agendas of decision makers. For example, last month, a ceasefire came into effect in Gaza after many months of people all around the world pushing for change, including nearly 400,000 of you who signed our “Ceasefire Now” petition. If you took action, thank you.

Please remember that none of the above is medical advice and you can always speak to a professional if you’re struggling with your mental health and wellbeing. Some resources you might want to consider:

Visit Mind for advice and resources.

Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org