The 21st August each year is marked as the Internet self-care day, where people find internet resources to take care of themselves. As defined above, it is an act for the overall well-being of an individual. Now that we know what self-care is, let's discuss the different ways to take care of ourselves on this day.

INTERNET SELF-CARE DAY'S HISTORY

When we talk about our bubble bath rituals and "me time," we frequently overlook that self-care has ancient roots and a radical history. The term "self-care" was formed or created in the 1950s. It was initially intended to express how institutionalised people could develop a feeling of self-worth via actions of care and preservation. In the 1960s, thanks to civil rights activists, primarily from the Black Panther Party, the phrase went from the medical community to the general public. Self-care became famous as a way to combat activist fatigue.

In a 2018 "AFROPUNK" interview, civil rights activist Angela Davis remarked: "For a long time, activists did not necessarily think it mattered to take care of themselves in terms of what they ate, mental self-care, cultural self-care, spiritual self-care." For example, the famous Ten-Point Program of the Panthers, outlined by cofounders Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966, included self-defense as a fundamental component. Consequently, medical racism had gained a greater focus by the time the Ten-Point Program was revised in 1972.

The Black Panther Party's image as violent warriors arose from a need to protect the health of black people. The activist Audre Lorde accentuated the interconnection of self-care and civil rights in her book "A Burst of Light: and Other Essays," which has since become a philosophy for the black female identity. Today, the self-care market is worth an estimated $10 billion, accounting for a substantial share of the beauty industry.

How to Observe Internet Self-Care Day

1. Research activities relating to self-care

Try using Google to find items that provide you with comfort. It could be anything related to your passion, such as writing, sketching, painting, or reading. Today, indulge in your passions.

2. Allow yourself to be pampered

Today, take some time to pamper yourself. Purchase something you've always desired or spend a nice day alone. Today is the day to splurge on your favourite delicacies or scents.

3. Get rid of sources of negativity

While social media allows for self-expression, it also creates a lot of confusion and toxicity. You can be influenced by too much negative information and user perspectives. Do not allow anonymous people to manage your mental health by blocking anything that may harm you.

Why is Internet Self-Care Day Significant?

1. It helps build healthy relationships

Self-care helps you to have a healthy relationship with yourself so that you may relate to others more effectively. It makes you feel more energised and alert.

2. A means of taking care of ourselves

We spend so much time worrying and attending to other people's needs that we forget about ourselves. This holiday season reminds us of the importance of pausing to care for oneself.

3. It assists us in maintaining our health

Self-care is as easy as getting a good night's sleep. Sleep deprivation affects far too many individuals, and it harms both physical and mental health. Your body will be able to recover and regenerate itself if you get at least six to eight hours of sleep every night.

The most commonly heard phrase of all time is that an excess of everything is bad. Internet consumption on a regular basis, as every day can be hectic. Taking in a lot of information and processing it could really exhaust your brain.

Try to take breaks from your daily Internet usage. It can be a break of a few hours in a day or a few days in a month if you are excessively dependent on the internet for your work. It would be really amazing to go out on an Internet self-care day, have fun with family, and then post pictures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other platform that you love to use. An ideal end for the Internet self-care day.

I hope you guys have enjoyed the piece of information and got some information about Internet self-care day, and I will keep sharing such things in the future.

For any feedback or suggestions, do write in the comments section.

Give yourself a time limit and make each moment enjoyable for you! 

Happy Internet self-care day!

Thank you.

Sharon Anto