We Can't Run On An Empty Tank: 4 Ways To Heal As You Fight For Social Justice

In a time of deep, civil unrest (not to mention a pandemic), self-care has perhaps never been so important. You might brush off a morning meditation or virtual get-together with a simple thought: There are more important things to be focusing on right now. And you're right—there are. But that doesn't mean you should let self-care fall through the cracks. 

In fact, according to registered dietitian Maya Feller, M.S., R.D., CDN, an effective healing practice actually strengthens the fight for social justice. "If your tank is empty, you can't be a good ally to yourself or to your neighbor," she tells me on the mindbodygreen podcast. In other words, we have to make sure our energy remains strong—that way, we can make sure anti-racism remains a movement, not a moment. 

Picture the anti-racism movement as a never-ending cycle of sorts: You shift from learning and listening to doing the necessary work to taking time to reflect and breathe. Take it from Feller, who says we should "create the space to learn, unlearn, and find deep spiritual practice in a calm way." That doesn't happen if you're constantly in a head space of go, go, go.

That's not to say Feller hasn't found other ways to take refuge in a sometimes overwhelming, overbearing world. She now takes the time to ground herself, quite literally: "I try to find stillness by spending time in the grass, taking my shoes off, and spending time planting or gardening." It's no question that nature has profound effects on our mental (and physical!) health as well; even something so simple as walking barefoot in the grass can help you feel more connected to the earth. 

Similar to many other experts, Feller believes big change can and will happen from smaller actions. In fact, starting small can help you feel less overwhelmed about tackling the entire issue; again, it takes endurance; dismantling an inherently racist system doesn't happen overnight. "Look at your direct sphere and circle. Have you had the conversation with your family and neighbors? How can you affect the teams you work with?" Feller notes. "That's how we really start to effect and see change."