Standing up to power can be invigorating whatever your politics are, but it can also be tiring and depressing, which is why self-care is vital for activists, says Caroline Haskell, director of health and wellness services at CSU Monterey Bay.

“Marches won’t solve the problem. That work is tedious, tiring, exhausting,” Haskell says. “If you’re someone who perceives the suffering around us, it is easy to grow despondent… If we’re really going to stay in the long haul we have to do a better job of taking care of ourselves and each other.”

Haskell offers these suggestions in order to stay focused and committed to the cause. The first three – sleep, nutritious food and exercise – are often the first to go, she says. She encourages would-be world-changers to avoid that temptation. Also important, she says, is to limit any substance abuse.

“When we don’t take care of ourselves we’re not functioning well enough to make the kind of contribution the world needs us to make,” Haskell says.

Here are a few other suggestions she offers to avoid activism burnout:

Fast from news and social media. Turn off your phone and internet on a regular basis and take a break from the constant flow of information. “It’s even more important now,” Haskell says.

Limit political debate. Especially on things that feel like the activism that you’re doing.

Don’t fill up every minute. Leave some room on the margins of your life to relax and spend time with friends and loved ones – even if you happen to disagree politically.

Engage in pleasurable and meaningful activities. “Whatever gives you joy, do it,” Haskell says.

Watch your thoughts. No one can take away how you think, which is a good thing, Haskell says, but you have to make sure you’re not letting anger or despair take over. Also important: “Don’t replicate the anger, bigotry and hate speech.”

Practice patience, compassion and loving kindness toward others. “Listen to each other, particularly people who are struggling.”

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UC and CSU faculty who have signed a letter to President Donald Trump about climate change.

“We are calling on you, in the most urgent terms possible, to maintain our country’s commitment to meeting the greenhouse gas emission targets set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement,” they write. “With this letter, we aim to express the degree to which the scientists and intellectual leaders of our state, speaking for themselves and not on behalf of their respective employers, agree on the facts of climate change.”

Three of the signatories – Nickols Kerry, Daniel Orr and Arlene Haffa – are faculty members at CSU Monterey Bay’s School of Natural Sciences.