24 June marks the start of Self-Care Month, which ends with Self-Care Day on 24 July. This symbolic day was chosen because self-care can be practiced “24 hours a day/7 days a week”.
This year’s Self-Care Month marks the 5th anniversary of WHO launching the first global Guideline on self-care interventions for health and well-being. The release of this Guideline was a major shift in WHO guidance, paving the way to link communities, primary care and health systems.
Self-Care Month is an opportunity to:
- raise additional awareness about self-care and self-care interventions;
- acknowledge the benefits that they bring to people’s lives and what’s been achieved so far;
- call for renewed commitments and action to expand all health systems to include self-care interventions.
During the month, people around the world will be celebrating self-care practices and interventions and the difference they can make to everyone’s lives.
Did you know there are two parts to self-care?
Self-care actions and self-care interventions.
Self-care actions
Self-care actions are habits, practices and lifestyle choices – things that we can do to help look after ourselves and lead a healthier life. They include but are not limited to:
- Taking regular physical activity – physical activity has huge health benefits for our hearts, minds and bodies. Did you know that physical activity helps to reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety? It also helps with thinking, learning and making judgements.
- Eating a healthier diet – eat a variety of foods including whole grains, nuts, lots of fruit, and vegetables, and legumes like lentils and beans. And don’t forget foods from animal sources like meat, fish, eggs and milk.
- Looking after our mental health – good mental health is vital to our overall health and well-being. Things that help us look after our mental health include following a healthier lifestyle; spending time in nature and outdoors; talking to family and friends; getting a good night’s sleep; managing stress and limiting ‘high-risk’ situations; talking about mental health problems as they arise and seeking help when needed.
- Quitting or cutting down on alcohol and tobacco.
Self-care interventions
Self-care interventions are the evidence-based tools that support self-care. They include quality medicines, devices, diagnostic, and digital tools. Now is an exciting time with more and more tools being developed.
In this video Dr Manjulaa Narasimham explains more about self-care interventions and how they can help people to prevent disease, maintain their health and manage health conditions, with or without the support of a health or care worker.
Why is self-care so important?
We all have a role to play in promoting and maintaining own own health. Self-care empowers us to be active agents in our own healthcare, putting us at the very centre. Self-care also helps relieve pressures on health systems.
How can I get involved in Self-Care Month?
There lots of things you can do:
- Learn more about WHO's work on self-care for health and well-being.
- Take time to think about how you can practice self-care each day to help improve your health and well-being.
- Follow us on X (@HRPresearch) and LinkedIn (HRP Research) and also check out WHO regional and country X and Facebook feeds. During the month, WHO will share information, new developments and activities about self-care interventions.
- Find out if there are any Self-Care Month activities going on where you live and can take part in, or organize your own activities and invite others to join you.