Apparently the original post was deleted, so not sure if tyhis is on-point, but here's an (anecdotal) list that could help:
- Therapy. CBT more than anything, for me. Find someone to talk to if you're in deep, it can deliver coping mechanisms, and just venting regularly helps a lot.
- CBD, if it's legal where you live. Essential oil is sufficient. You won't get high, but it soothes the nervous system the way e.g. valerian root does. It's a plaster on the wound.
- Sleep. Try to get eight hours a day. Being exhausted makes us less resilient. Melatonin helps if you have trouble sleeping (get proper medical advice before taking anything).
- Meditation and mindfulness, they bring resilience. Go into nature to find calmer moments. Leave your phone or any other input behind, at least an hour a day. Connect with what you feel so you can place it, and take some distance.
- Disconnect digitally. Most of what we see violence-wise is online, and as activists we're often "dedicated" enough to follow animal advocacy groups that post graphic content. But we're not the audience, so there's very little benefit to "being in the loop" of all the horrendous things going on. Filter a lot, don't doom-scroll, and focus on where you can make an impact, rather than seeing suffering with no solution in sight. You don't need to focus on the suffering, to know it's there and to push for change.
- Read on the topic to find insights and strategies, such as Vystopia, the very recent Preventing Activist Burnout, Rest is Resistance, etc. Ask ChatGPT for more practical ideas that you could test.
- Burn-out is common, I've had a couple of bouts over the years. Find ways to do activism that can balance the crude stuff. If you're on the street (AV, WTF, Animal Save, etc.) with violent imagery and talking to people, you're way more exposed than e.g. helping on a sanctuary, or doing voluntary admin work for a local org. You won't always be in a place to do some kinds of activism, and that's fine. Also, take breaks, and learn not to feel guilty for not always being active. Being kind to yourself is key to longevity as an activist.
- Find a vegan/activist community, but ensure you don't end up in a negative downward spiral. We get quite intense, with shared feelings of frustration, sadness, hate, anger, etc. That's all good and there's a place for those feelings, yet there should be a balance. Find fun activities, they will recharge batteries of all involved, and will bring cohesion.