National Self Care Week is an annual observance that this year, will take place 18-24 November. It aims to promote the importance of self-care and encourage individuals to prioritise their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. The week serves as a reminder to take time to engage in activities that foster relaxation, stress relief, and personal growth.
The Self Care Forum has been organising Self-Care Week since 2011 and provides free resources to help organisations and communities embed support for self-care. You can access their Free 8-pount plan and Comms Plan here
We have curated our favourite ideas for celebrating National Self Care Week below. Which one will you try?
- Mindfulness and meditation sessions
- Host guided meditation or mindfulness sessions to help participants relax and focus on their mental well-being.
- Workshops on stress management
- Organise workshops covering stress management techniques, including breathing exercises, yoga, and time management.
- Self-care challenges
- Create a self-care challenge for the week, encouraging participants to try new self-care activities each day, such as journaling, reading, or taking a nature walk.
- Physical activity programs
- Arrange group fitness classes, such as yoga, Pilates, or Zumba, to promote physical health and well-being.
- Healthy cooking classes
- Offer cooking demonstrations or classes focusing on healthy recipes and meal prep to encourage nutritious eating.
- Community wellness events
- Host a wellness fair with local vendors offering health screenings, wellness products, and information on self-care practices.
- Digital detox day
- Encourage participants to take a break from screens for a day, promoting activities like reading, crafting, or spending time outdoors.
- Self-care kits
- Provide or encourage participants to create self-care kits with items like candles, teas, bath bombs, journals, and relaxation tools.
- Nature walks or outdoor activities
- Organise group hikes, nature walks, or outdoor yoga sessions to encourage connection with nature and physical activity.
- Gratitude journals
- Promote the practice of gratitude journaling, where participants write down things they are thankful for each day.
- Book clubs or discussion groups
- Start a book club focused on self-care, mental health, or personal growth literature to foster discussion and support.
- Art therapy sessions
- Host art or craft sessions as a form of expressive therapy to promote creativity and relaxation.
- Guest speakers or webinars
- Invite speakers to discuss topics related to self-care, mental health, and wellness strategies.
- Self-care social media campaign
- Run a social media campaign encouraging people to share their self-care routines and tips using a specific hashtag.
- Personal development workshops
- Offer workshops on personal development topics, such as goal setting, time management, and building resilience.
