Going Beyond Luxuries: 5 Ways to Recharge and Practice Self-care as Champions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

September is National Self-Care Awareness Month, an initiative started by Evolve to Live that aims to spread knowledge about the value of tending to our well-being, families, and communities. During this month, we spotlight the importance of taking care of ourselves. Traditionally, attention is drawn to momentary luxuries that make us feel good without addressing the deeper needs for self-preservation.

We all say, "You can’t pour from an empty cup." But what if we are so depleted that we don't even realize we have nothing left in our cups? A recent article suggests many diversity officers resign within a short period and that the strain caused by expected systemic changes often falls on already-marginalized employees without adequate support. Consequently, from 2018 to 2021, the average tenure for DEI officers dropped from 3.1 to 1.8 years, with 60% leaving the role. For DEI practitioners, daily self-care is essential to keep us balanced and prevent further harm to ourselves and those we champion.

Unfortunately, self-care has been reduced to temporary, superficial activities that empty us. Therefore, it's critical to understand and learn how to apply proper self-care techniques daily if we want to continue doing meaningful DEI work.

What Exactly is Self-Care?

The National Institute of Health (NIH) defines self-care as “individuals, families, and communities’ promoting and maintaining their health, preventing disease, and coping with illness and disability, with or without the support of a health worker.” The NIH also asserts that “self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical and mental health.”

Based on these definitions, a wide range of activities may help us maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and spending time with friends and family. We can also throw bubble baths, massages, and mani-pedis into the mix. They rightfully have their place on the self-care spectrum.

But, when it comes to looking after our well-being as champions for DEI, what other forms of self-care should we pursue? What else can we do to ensure our overall well-being is sustainable?

Here are 5 Ways DEI Champions can care for themselves beyond the obvious choices.

1. Set Boundaries and Stick to Them

In an article for Forbes, Janice Gassam Asare spoke with DEI practitioners to learn what self-care looks like for them. Five of these DEI champions shared their insights. One practitioner noted creating boundaries personally and professionally by scheduling breaks, using the Pomodoro Method to stay on task at work, and engaging in non-DEI-related activities to recharge.

Another practitioner shared that unplugging from technology and social media and focusing only on things that bring joy and laughter helps maintain healthy boundaries between DEI work and personal well-being.

Drawing a boundary line in the sand is just one piece of the puzzle; honoring it is the other. Where proper self-care lies is standing by our boundaries with others—and ourselves— even when it may upset people who care about us. It is crucial to realize how powerful this self-care practice can be if we stick to it!

2. Take Time Off

Burnout is a real health hazard, especially among those of us who have difficulty letting others take the helm when our passion for this work overrides our need for a break. This DEI practitioner opened up about her journey of finding a balance between self-care and mental health, highlighting the importance of looking out for signs of burnout and seeking help when needed.

Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy created a Workplace Well-being framework prioritizing “Work-Life Harmony.” Use this framework to help you stay balanced when facing the DEI mountain, especially in today’s political climate.

The work of DEI is not going away. While we’ve come a long way, there is still and will always be work to do to create a just, fair, and inclusive world for all to thrive in. Do yourself a favor and pace yourself along this unpredictable journey. If you can, take a sabbatical to deeply recharge from this challenging work and consider other interests that also fill your cup.

3.   Dedicate Time for Self-Reflection

I firmly believe that reflecting on oneself is the most essential form of self-care. Taking a break from your daily routine by engaging in honest introspection can motivate you to be an effective DEI champion. Journaling is a great avenue to help facilitate this practice. For example, some years ago, I developed the L.E.A.D^TM self-reflection method, which consists of answering reflective questions as journal prompts focusing on specific areas of personal growth. Here's how I combine my L.E.A.D^TM method and journaling: