Sexual assault. Racism. Homophobia. Transphobia. Ableism. Abuse.

The list goes on.

A quick scroll through social media reveals so many troubling things and social issues in the world that it’s difficult to be able to fully react to all of them. In fact, the various headlines we see everyday that detail hate crimes and mass shootings have become commonplace. One could say that people are desensitized to such things, creating a larger problem of apathy.

But most of all, people are exhausted.

While some might think that taking a break from fighting for a better world makes them a “bad activist,” this is entirely false. Human beings can only handle so many negative things in their lives. According to the University of Minnesota, a constant stream of negativity increases chronic stress, which is incredibly detrimental to your health.

Recently, the same social issues have been highlighted in the media without any clear resolution. If you are always seeing these problems that don’t seem to be getting any better, it’s even easier to lose hope and spiral into gloominess.

That’s why it’s important to step back. Take a deep breath and collect your thoughts. Your mental health takes priority over all else.

Think about airplane safety procedures. In the event of an oxygen shortage, masks are dropped from above. Flight attendants instruct passengers to put on their own masks first, then to help others. Your body can only handle being without oxygen for a limited amount of time. If you waste precious seconds fumbling with another person’s mask while your own air levels drop dangerously low, you stand the risk of passing out and not helping anyone.

The same logic applies to fighting for social change. If you are not in the right mental state to take whatever legal action is required to pass a bill or defend a policy, then you might as well be doing nothing. Just like putting on your own oxygen mask first isn’t selfish, putting your own health first doesn’t make you a bad activist. In fact, by helping yourself, you can help others.

So the next time you’re frustrated by a social issue that’s remained stagnant for the past year, remember to take a break. Go drink a beverage of your choice. Take a hot shower. Text someone you haven’t talked to in a while.

You’ll come back stronger with the ability to make more of a difference in this world.

Flickr Creative Commons image can be viewed at wallsdontlie.