2: The History of Self-Care

Early Ideas

Epimeleia heautou, a Greek phrase which means attend to, be concerned about, or care of the self, can be found as early as the writings of Socrates. There, he speaks about how a focus on the accumulation of wealth should not come at the expense of wisdom, truth, and the care of the soul. These thoughts have been challenged by others throughout history as acts of self-interest, egoistic, and highly suspect. In the Laches by Plato (ca. 390 B.C.E./2024), he illustrates two fathers attempting to encourage their children to care for themselves and how this task is impossible if the fathers do not first care for themselves.

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Before one can guide others one must first engage in the deliberate care of one's own soul. (Photo by Anne O'Sullivan from Pexels.)

In the 20th century, Clarfield (1997) talks about a pamphlet from 1936 titled What to Do Until the Doctor Comes that espoused self-help advice. As an example, one section discusses what to do if an individual had received a severe electric shock from a wire: "If the patient is still in contact with the wire, great care must be exercised to protect oneself” (p. 1272). The booklet then goes on to recommend the rescuer pry the victim off the wire with a dry stick, apply a mustard plaster over the heart, and offer strong black coffee after the rescue. Another rather frightening suggestion for a dog bite was to cauterize the wound with a red-hot nail iron. Alcoholic beverages were frequently diagnosed for medicinal use including snake bites and the bite of a rabid dog. A similar example recommended adding brandy to egg albumin and clear soup to treat diarrhea. Needless to say, self-care has evolved.

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): In any storm, self-care is the first safety measure. (Photo by Nikolett Emmert from Pexels.)

The Mid-1900s

In the 1950s, the medical community began talking about self-care with regards to how patients could engage in individualized practices to reinforce and strengthen their own physical health and well-being. This was the beginning of the idea of the individual taking responsibility for their own healthcare journey and having autonomy in their health and wellness. It began with encouragement to focus on proper nutrition, exercise, and personal grooming, all of which were recognized to show increased feelings of self-worth.

The self-care movement continued in the 1960s with the civil rights movement becoming a core part of community care in large part due to the Black Panther Party. Members of the Black Panther Party, who were known for their promotion of social justice and equality, encouraged what was then a radical idea of using self-care as a means to fight systemic racism (Pearson, 2021). They believed that holistic well-being in the black community -- including child and medical care, access to financial information, and adequate food security -- was essential in achieving parity with white communities and negating the effects of white control and oppression. The Black Panther Party's 10-Point Program was developed in 1966 and can be found here.

Video \(\PageIndex{1}\): Members of the Black Panther Party worked to establish free healthcare clinics for neglected communities despite challenges from institutional racism. ("What You Don't Know About The Black Panthers | AJ+" by AJ+ on YouTube.)

More recently, the issue that haunted Plato in Laches returns as many continue to question the “selfishness” of self-care. Dr. Monnica Williams, in an article by Aisha Harris (2017), summed up this struggle by noting that when a person does not pay attention to stress, diet, and fitness, medical issues, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity, can persist.

Video \(\PageIndex{2}\): When we neglect our needs, we experience mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion. ("Self Care IS NOT Selfish: Emotional Baseline Theory Pt 1" by The Virtual Couch Podcast on YouTube.)

In the 1980s and 1990s, the idea of self-care began to shift away from political associations and into the mainstream culture, bringing with it fitness centers, yoga classes (and pants!), and the idea of wellness being accessible to everyone. The 9/11 attacks reinforced the idea of wellness and self-care as necessary during times of political upheaval and cultural instability. The fallout from the attacks in New York also brought attention to the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma on people and caused a great deal of self-reflection. Individuals who witnessed the attacks, even through media coverage, realized that trauma could happen to anyone at any time.

The 2000s

The 2000s brought the increasing emergence of social media, blogs, and other forms of online contact that made it possible for otherwise sidelined groups, such as the LGBTQ community, women, and people of color, to create space for themselves and find community where they could offer support to each other. These avenues were often the first place many of these individuals were introduced to the concept and benefits of self-care.