10 Ways To Celebrate International Self-Care Day This July

Forbes

22-07-2025

Everybody of every age can have a self-care plan in their hip pocket to celebrate International ... More Self-Care Day this July.
July 24th is designated International Self-Care Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of your self-care to boost mental health around the world, promote self-care in your organizations or communities and take good care of yourself. Self-care isn't a once in a year proposition. It's a seven-day-a-week, 24-hour-a-day, 365 days a year proposition. But many people don't understand self-care. Before you can practice it, you must know what it is.
What Is Self-Care?
Many of us have been taught that self-care is selfish or narcissistic—even cheesy and that self-sacrifice is the ticket to acceptance and success. But mental health experts debunk that belief. There's only one person on the planet who can take care of you fully. That's YOU, and that's not selfish. Self-care refers to physical or psychological activities that recharge your batteries and restore your mental and physical well-being.
You've probably heard the airplane metaphor, "'If your oxygen mask deploys, put it on before trying to help others around you.' But that wise advice often falls on deaf ears. When was the last time you stepped back from life and spent five minutes or a half hour focused just on you. Not your spouse, kids, coworkers, friends. Just you. Some of us take better care of our cars than ourselves.
'International Self-Care Day reminds us that even small acts—like meditation, deep breathing or unplugging—can help us reconnect with ourselves. It's how we stay grounded and present which allows us to hear our intuition more clearly,' says Gaia CEO Kiersten Medvedich. 'At Gaia, we believe that when people prioritize their well-being, it creates a ripple effect, leading to a more conscious, compassionate world.'
When we take time out to rest and relax, we're more engaged and productive—even more effective at work tasks. But that's a hard sell to people under the gun with career demands and deadlines. One of the most common refrains is, 'I can't afford to take 20 or 30 minutes to meditate or exercise when I could use that time to meet a deadline.' That excuse no longer holds water because we have simple solutions to de-stress, prevent burnout and keep our careers afloat. Self-care—rest, relaxation or meditation—is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity.
Studies show that people who practice self-care are healthier, happier, have longer career trajectories and longer lives. Self-care reduces work stress and fuels job engagement and performance. Self-affirmations, one type of self-care, serve as 'cognitive expanders,' allowing you to talk to yourself the way you might speak to someone you care about so that the self-judgment voice isn't the only story you tell yourself.
How To Honor Yourself On International Self-Care Day
Self-care has many faces. It can be as simple as micro self-care-a five-minute microbreak or more extended like radical self-care--a full day of wellness practices at home, a week-long retreat where you focus on yourself or a way of being in the world.
There are 1440 minutes in one day. Take just five minutes out of the day to indulge yourself in a self-care exercise. Or try one of these simple activities for an hour or less.
1. Turn your bathroom into a spa for an hour. Put candles around the room and soak in a warm bath with soft music. Dry off with an oversized towel.
2. Use soothing textures such as cushioned slippers, cozy blankets or a comfy velvety throw.
3. Introduce calming smells such as scented candles or simmering potpourri into your space.
4. Immerse yourself in a good book.
5. Walk barefoot in a summer rain shower.
6. Meditate or go to a yoga class or exercise class. There are many ways to practice mindfulness meditation that you can find here.
7. Take a short nature walk without headphones and imbibe the surroundings.
8. Engage in a fun hobby or craft.
9. Sit by a warm fire and watch the flames.
10. Name three objects you can see around you for one minute, listen to sounds around you for one minute and feel the texture of three things for one minute.
If you're at a total loss and want to go whole-hog, consider a full day at-home retreat. The team at Gaia put together an hour-by-hour, at-home wellness retreat for you to indulge in self-care on July 23rd or any day if you miss the official one. Anyone can create a one-day sanctuary at home that costs nothing but transforms everything.
8:55 AM - Phone Detox
Print out this itinerary and then disconnect completely from your phone.
9:00 - 9:30 AM: Gratitude & Intention Setting
Begin by creating a sacred space in your home. Light a candle and begin by listing five things you're grateful for and write three intentions for the day in a journal. Putting pen to paper transforms thoughts into powerful commitments.
9:30 - 10:30 AM: Energizing Yoga Flow
Move your body, release stuck energy and get out of your head. Visit Gaia's yoga collection to explore classes of all skill levels including vinyasa, restorative, kundalini and hatha.
10:30 - 11:00 AM - Mindful Journaling
Journaling while on a post-yoga high can lead to terrific insights and downloads. Follow this prompt: What am I calling into my life? Then try stream-of-consciousness writing for 30 minutes, letting whatever comes to mind flow onto the page without judgment.
11:00 - 12:00 PM - Nature Connection & Grounding
Step outside and connect with the natural world whether that is a beach, hike or a small mindful walk. Practice "earthing" by removing your shoes and connecting directly with the earth.
12:00 - 1:00 PM: Mindful Meal Preparation & Eating
Prepare a nourishing lunch using whole, unprocessed ingredients. Focus on colorful vegetables, healthy fats and lean proteins. Eat slowly and mindfully, savoring each bite.
Simple Suggestions:
1:00 - 2:00 PM - Breathwork & Meditation
Unprocessed emotions and trauma often get trapped in the body. Conscious connected breathing can help surface and release these blockages. As oxygen floods the system, people may experience emotional breakthroughs or physical sensations linked to healing. Visit Gaia's breakwork collection.
2:00 - 3:00 - Snack, Rest and Hydrate
The breathwork munchies are real. Eat a healthy snack such as fresh fruit with nut butter or chia pudding. Drink water and be gentle with yourself, especially if you just released emotions.
3:00 - 3:30 PM - Manifestation & Visualization Practice
Find a quiet space and spend time visualizing your goals and dreams as if they've already manifested. Feel the emotions of having achieved what you desire. Write down your manifestations in present tense: "I am..." rather than 'I will be...'
3:30 - 4:30: Sound Healing & Vibrational Therapy
The tones and vibrations from sound bowls help slow the brainwaves from active (beta) to more relaxed (alpha, theta or delta) states. This induces a meditative, parasympathetic state—activating your body's natural healing processes and reducing cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
4:30 - 5:00 PM - Closing Ceremony & Integration
Light a candle, return to your journal and reflect on your day. What insights emerged? What felt most nourishing? What would you like to incorporate into your daily routine?
Beyond International Self-Care Day
Gaia's experts say that every element in their retreat day can be incorporated into your daily life. They suggest that you consider adopting one or two practices as regular habits. 'Remember, the most expensive retreat in the world can't give you what you already possess: the power to nurture, heal and transform yourself,' they remind us. 'This International Self-Care Day, give yourself the gift of presence, attention and love. Your mind, body and spirit will thank you.'