The Revolutionary Power of Self-Care
Why Rest, Nourishment, Joy, and Emotional Care Aren’t Luxuries — They’re the Foundation for Justice, Well-Being, and Collective Good
Photo caption: Civil rights icon Rosa Parks practices yoga at an event, c. 1973. Visual materials from the Rosa Parks Papers, Prints and Photographs Division. Courtesy of the Library of Congress. Shared publicly thanks to the work of Dr. Stephanie Y. Evans, whose scholarship helped elevate these powerful archival images into broader public view. Read more of her work in the Harvard Divinity Bulletin. Also, thank you to the Library of Congress Exhibition: Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words.
In our first story in this month’s series on “The Joy Rebellion,” we highlighted the work of the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu and how joy is a crucial part of practicing the good work of social justice.
As per the Library of Congress, Rosa Parks practiced yoga and taught yoga classes. These archival photos show her in Thunderbolt (Vajrasana) and Bow (Dhanurasana) poses. She added Buddhist meditation to her prayers, became a vegetarian, and consulted a naturopathic doctor to support her health.
June 24 marked the start of Self-Care Month, which ends with International Self-Care Day on July 24. Inspired by Rosa Parks and the many others who help make our world, our communities, and our lives more just and beautiful, here are ways to explore self-care, for good.
Self-Care and Social Justice Are Deeply Interconnected
Self-care isn’t selfish. Like joy, it’s not a luxury; it’s a necessary, restorative salve. Self-care helps protect you from the forces that try to stereotype you, minimize your talents, take away your rights, and seduce you into self-destructive habits that leave you tired, angry, uninformed, emotionally and intellectually depleted, and more.
Self-care strengthens you against those invested in convincing you that you are powerless — and in isolating you from other extraordinary humans with whom you share far more than the superficial traits used to divide and conquer.
Self-care helps quiet the voice of your inner critic, vanquishes would-be disabling disappointment, and enables even more than self-preservation and healthy self-esteem, but joy.
Indeed, self-care helps keep you and your community mentally, emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually - healthy and vibrant. And from that place of strength and wholeness, you can meet the world with clarity, energy, fellowship, care, and purpose.
In a world where many reward burnout, exhaustion, and hyper-productivity, self-care is more than a wellness buzzword; it’s a reclaiming of power. A life-affirming act that’s not only about surviving, but enjoying life, sustaining our energy to build a better world.
Writer, professor, and activist Audre Lorde even said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.” Photos of Audre Lorde joyfully kayaking on the Krumme Lanke lake in Berlin show the simple pleasures that can add up to so much more, or simply be a moment of pure, ephemeral, human delight.
Self-Care and Your Community
Prioritizing well-being can empower individuals to become more effective advocates for social change, and conversely, social justice initiatives can address systemic inequalities that negatively impact mental and physical health.
Clean water. Clean air. Proximity to nature. Nourishing food. Non-toxic workplaces and living spaces. Affordable healthcare from providers who really see you beyond stereotypes and care for you. Trusted friendships. Healthy relationships. Good sleep, and more. These are all factors in our self-care.
We’re not in this alone.
➤ Read: No Man Is an Island: Well-Being as a Collective Endeavor
“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.”
— Jean Shinoda Bolen
Ways to Take Good Care of Yourself
Self-care strategies include exercise, meditation, music, prayer, yoga, and maintaining healthy sleep. Yoga isn’t for everyone. It all starts with knowing what works for you.
Resources from the World Health Organization, Harvard Health, Global Wellness Institute, and others offer lists of tools and ideas ranging from simple to luxurious, free to indulgent, to help you feel your best.
According to the World Health Organization, as a complement to formal health care, one component of self-care is:
“The ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote and maintain their own health, prevent disease, and to cope with illness, with or without the support of a health or care worker.”
Start by writing a go-to list of practices that energize, reset, and recharge you.
The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.” This can all help with good self-care. Their framework offers:
Physical – Movement, nutrition, sleep
Mental – Learning, creativity, problem-solving
Emotional – Emotional expression and regulation
Spiritual – Meaning, purpose, and connection
Social – Relationships and trust-based community
Environmental – Clean, safe, and supportive surroundings
Self-Care Ideas
Rest & Carve Out Ease
Not resting is not sustainable. Neither is fighting nonstop. Take the bubble bath. Book the massage.Unplug From the News & Social
Turn off alerts. Go off-grid for a few days. Silence is powerful.Nourish Yourself
If possible, opt for food that nourishes you rather than empty calories and harmful chemicals.Set Healthy Boundaries
Seek support when needed. Speak with a therapist or a counselor if helpful.Practice Mindfulness
Reset your nervous system with meditation, breathwork, or grounding exercises.Feel Joy
Dance in your living room. Share a good laugh with a good friend. Sing. Play.Reset & Recharge
Take a nature walk. Forest bathe in the mountains or a local park. Visit the beach. Light a candle. Bake something. Journal. Sip tea. Read a book. Journal.Honor Your Needs
If you need a day off or a slower pace, take it. Inform, don’t apologize. You matter.“Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners.”
— William Shakespeare
Self-Care Is Liberation
Self-care is essential for sustainable activism and for thriving in every other area of your life.
If you burn out, that’s not good for you or the world. This is wellness as an act of liberation. Your permission slip to take good care of yourself.
Yes, there is work to be done.
But not at the cost of your spirit.
You are worthy of prioritizing.
Small daily practices that return power, not just relaxation.
When you protect your energy, you protect your clarity.
And that clarity allows for aligned, purposeful action.
You, loved. Loving. Energized.
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📚 Additional Resources
Library of Congress Exhibition: Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words – Library of Congress
The Pillars of Self-Care – Harvard Medical School
Why Rosa Parks Did Yoga - Harvard Divinity Bulletin
Self-Care for Health and Well-Being – World Health Organization
What is Wellness – Global Well Institute
International Self-Care Day - Self-Care Simplified: Why It’s Essential and How To Make It Happen - Canadian Mental Health Association
WHO Guideline on Self-Care Interventions for Health and Well-Being
“The Joy Rebellion: The Science of Choosing Delight” – Well Happy Thrive
No Man Is an Island: Well-Being as a Collective Endeavor – Templeton Ideas
9 Pioneering African American Outdoorspeople - Sierra - The Magazine of the Sierra Club
These People of Color Transformed U.S. National Parks – National Geographic
Website for Dr. Stephanie Y. Evans
Dimensions of Wellness: Change Your Habits, Change Your Life – National Library of Medicine
This post really opened my eyes to how self-care is a form of resistance and empowerment, not just a personal indulgence. I loved learning about Rosa Parks practicing yoga and meditation—it shows how important these practices have been in sustaining activists through tough times. The connection between individual well-being and social justice makes so much sense. Taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish; it’s necessary to keep fighting for what’s right. Thank you for sharing such a powerful perspective and practical tips!