The Ultimate Self-Care?

I just read an article by Gabriel Winant of The New Republic called Mind Control - Barbara Ehrenreich’s radical critique of wellness and self-improvement.  I love the idea mentioned at the end about manifesting social solidarity as the ultimate self-care.  But in order to participate and contribute to the world in a positive manner, self-care for the individual is needed. Ms Ehrenreich’s critique of the "beat your body into submission" gym culture is spot on, but shouldn't be confused with more humble journeys of wellness, such as cultivating body awareness and the ability to self-regulate.  

Your mind and body are in a (hopefully) long term relationship that needs communication, thoughtfulness and mutual respect. To thrive, this relationship will also need varying amounts of assertiveness, flexibility, compromise. Cultivating your body awareness and learning to self-regulate what your body needs on a daily basis helps you manage this ever evolving relationship. 

And, just like humans sometimes need a little help navigating relationships with family and spouses,  guidance for cultivating your body/mind relationship is sometimes needed too.  Far from being selfish, I believe finding the solidarity within is a good first step to manifesting universal solidarity.  

​

---