All you need to know about…

giving happiness global impact

International Self-Care Day 2025: 8 Reasons Self-Care Matters

International Self-Care Day 2025: 8 Reasons Self-Care Matters

International Self-Care Day is a gentle reminder that self-care is important, not just once in a while, but every day.

Tired? Burned out? Craving a little care but feeling guilty about taking the time? You’re not alone. The truth is, showing up for yourself helps you show up for everything else.

This July 24, take a moment to celebrate International Self-Care Day by doing something simple, taking care of yourself (for a change).

Founded by the International Self-Care Foundation in 2011, the day is observed each year on the 24th day of the 7th month to remind us that looking after ourselves matters, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What is self-care?

Self-care is about taking action to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s an intentional resolve to improve your wellbeing alongside recommended treatments from health professionals.

Embracing self-care means choosing to take steps that support your health. When you give to yourself, you’re also building your capacity to give to others.

Why is self-care so important?

Self-care is such a vital part of health that the World Health Organization created Self-Care Awareness Month to lead up to International Self-Care Day, raising awareness of how it supports our wellbeing, productivity, and happiness.

This message has not gone unnoticed in Canada. The Canadian government recognizes that self-care is important to good health. Every year, the Prime Minister and Minister of Health send out messages of support on the day.

8 Reasons Self-Care Matters

Self-care isn’t just about doing something nice for yourself, it truly matters. Yes, your self-care journey betters your own health, but its reach goes further, it makes a difference to the people you care about, support, and connect with every day.

These 8 reasons show just how much good self-care does, for you and beyond.

1. Improves health

Self-care is about showing up for yourself. Whether it’s deciding to make better choices about your diet, how active you are, or how much sleep you get, your body, mind, and heart will benefit. Start with simple steps. Find what works best for you.
Self-care products can help, try herbal teas for a calming treat, add bath salts to a relaxing bath, or journaling to explore your thoughts.

2. Boosts happiness

With our lives being so busy and sometimes stressful we often ignore our body’s needs. Our to-do lists can outweigh our own care checklist. Taking a small amount of time every day to look after yourself can make a big difference helping you feel good, recharged, and ready for the world again. Self-care makes you happier it’s that simple.

3. Inspires giving

Taking care of yourself is an essential part of feeling well. When you feel good, you’re naturally more giving, more connected, and more available for others. With more energy, joy, and compassion, you have more to give. Giving grows when you first give to yourself.

4. Fuels kindness

Self-care shows us how to be kind to ourselves. A wonderful thing about kindness is that it is contagious both inside and out. When we’re kind to ourselves by meeting our own needs, we naturally feel more compassionate and ready to give to others.

5. Reduces stress

Simple self-care actions make for a better day. When you make time to take care of yourself you improve your mood, resiliency, and energy. A calmer, stronger, healthier you is better at managing life’s ups and downs. Taking deep breaths, listening to some favourite music, or going for a walk are great ways to practice stress-busting self-care.

Man practicing mindfulness at home, showing that self-care is important for emotional balance and daily wellbeing.

6. Builds self-confidence

When you take time for yourself you are telling yourself that you’re worth it. Your needs matter because a stronger, healthier you is more present, capable, and able to give to others. A stronger you is a more confident you.

7. Sets boundaries

It’s ingrained in us to say “yes” to just about everything that demands our attention. This can be harmful if we don’t balance our own needs which means it’s okay to say “no” to things that drain us. Self-care teaches us to listen to our own bodies, speak up for ourselves, and create healthy spaces around us. By setting healthy boundaries we create better relationships with ourselves and with others.

8. Clarifies priorities

Self-care helps to centre yourself, quiet the noise, and return you to what matters most. Quiet time, nature walks, or self-reflection are wonderful ways to help you reset, recharge, and reconnect with your values and purpose. When you make time for yourself, you reconnect with who you are and what truly matters to you.

Self-Care is Giving

When we think about giving we usually think about giving to others. As compassionate, caring beings it’s our nature to want to give, take care of others, and spread joy wherever we can. But one of the most powerful ways we can give to others is to first give to ourselves.

Self-care doesn’t take away from others it helps you show up as your strongest, most grounded self, with more energy to give. Self-care is important because it’s not just about giving to yourself it’s about being better equipped to give to others.

Think of self-care as a way of giving to your future self. A little goes a long way. Simple things like a walk in nature, a relaxing bath, or quiet time with a good book can help you recharge, renourish, and reconnect with yourself. And when you’re calmer and more centred, you’re more able to connect with others.

Self-care helps you give better. Give more by making self-care part of your daily giving practice.

Simple self-care that makes a difference

Not sure where to start? Here are a few small, simple ways to practise self-care every day:

• Take a break from social media habitual scrolling of online networks can be harmful to your emotional wellbeing
• Take frequent screen-time breaks to move your body and rest your eyes especially if you work at a screen throughout the day
• Get your body and mind moving by trying a new exercise or restarting an old favourite physical activity
• Start a garden or join a community garden to get more time outdoors and reengage with nature
• Tidy one small space decluttering and clearing out what you no longer need feels great and helps calm the mind
• Start a daily journal or gratitude journal where you can write down your thoughts and feelings or what you’re thankful for
• Start a mindfulness, meditation, or yoga practice to clarify your thoughts, calm your mind, or gently stretch your body
• Commit to drinking enough water every day hydration is an important part of bodily health and functionality
• Boost your dietary health by adding one or two nutritious food items to your weekly grocery list
• Talk to someone when you need help. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a friend, a therapist, or a colleague.

What Does Self-Care Look Like for You Today?

This International Self-Care Day, celebrate by doing one small thing for yourself. Remind yourself that you are worth it and that a little self-care goes a long way towards helping others.

When you embrace positive changes for your body, mind, and emotional wellbeing you make intentional choices for your overall health. A healthier you is a happier you more productive, better able to connect with others, and with more to give.

Start simple, start small. Make self-care part of your daily experience.

Looking to learn more about how to give back? These articles will help.

Family Wellness: Self-Care Tips to Strengthen Bonds and Boost Well-Being

The Happiness Equation: Balancing Mental Health for a Fulfilling Life

Laura Canning
+ posts

Content thinker, tea drinker, cat negotiator—Laura believes in the power of small, everyday actions to create a kinder, healthier world.

Share Article:

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)

Your contribution will create
a ripple of good in the world

We can’t change the world alone.

We can when we work together.

Every dollar given to 365give is action for a better world.

Donate Today

[email protected]

Send us a message