This isn’t the first time, and won’t be the last, that I remind everyone about the importance of self-care. And if you need further convincing, consider this. Self-care is not indulgent; it is a professional responsibility! As future dietitians, you are entering a role where you are required to show compassion, be evidence-based and advocate for others. To show up fully for service users and the communities we serve, we first need to sustain ourselves. That means recognising signs of burnout as they start to show (constant fatigue, irritability, lack of motivation, or detachment from your interests and studies, to name but a few) and putting things in place early to keep you well.

Self-care can take many forms:

• Eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising, and spending time in nature wherever you can.

• Giving yourself permission to feel, reflect, and set boundaries around distressing content. This doesn’t mean doing nothing, but it does mean learning to take breaks when you are feeling overwhelmed by the news or social media.

• Staying connected with friends, mentors, and communities that affirm and support you.

• Breaking tasks into manageable steps, celebrating small wins to maintain momentum, and trying to plan when you will study and when you will rest at the best times for you.

Even 10 minutes a day spent journaling, walking, or breathing deeply can help.

As future dietitians, we need to be aware of how food and healthcare intersect with inequality, systemic racism, food insecurity, climate change and access to healthcare. We also know that many people in the UK today are feeling the direct effects of the conflicts and political unrest we are seeing in the world. For dietetic students, cultivating allyship -actively supporting marginalised individuals and groups — is part of professional growth. Allyship asks us to listen, learn, and use our voices responsibly, especially in turbulent times when inequities may be heightened.

Practical ways to engage in allyship include:

• Educating yourself continuously. Read beyond your coursework - explore writings on cultural food practices, health disparities, and the lived experiences of communities different from your own.

• Amplifying marginalised voices. Share resources, consider diverse opinions, and consider the work and experiences of underrepresented groups in your practice, presentations and discussions.

• Challenging bias. Whether at university or on placement, speak up against harmful stereotypes, microaggressions or inequitable practices.

• Support accessible food systems. Advocate for programs and policies that expand equitable access to nutritious, culturally relevant foods to all. 

It can be tempting to view self-care and allyship as competing priorities. In reality, they support each other. Allyship without self-care risks burnout; self-care without allyship risks not considering the needs and experiences of others.

Consider this balance:

• Set limits. You don’t need to attend every event or respond to every news cycle. Choose causes that align with your values and capacity.

• Use your skills. As dietetic students, you can contribute through nutrition education, culturally responsive care or research on health equity.

• Reflect regularly. Ask yourself: Am I learning from diverse perspectives? Am I caring for myself so I can continue showing up? Am I supporting friends and colleagues who might be having a different experience to my own?