International Self-Care Day (ISD), on 24 July each year, provides a focus and opportunity to raise the profile of healthy lifestyle self-care programmes around the world. ISD is a device developed by the International Self-Care Foundation to promote self-care as a vital foundation of health. ISD has been running since 2011. It provides a media-friendly forum and a focus for individuals and groups to (independently) promote self-care in their organisation or community.
The ISD Date
The International Self-Care Day, 24 July, symbolises that the benefits of self-care are experienced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In other words, the benefits of self-care are life-long and do not just relate to a single day. ISD on 24 July simply provides a good focus and opportunity to publicise or report on self-care in action programmes. Programme organisers may work around July 24 as convenient, for example in 2014 for practical convenience organising events on the third Sunday of July.
Each year ISF proposes a general theme for International Self-Care Day. For 24 July 2017, the theme was ‘Get better with Self-Care’. For 24 July 2018, the theme is ‘Feel Good, 7/24’.
Since 2011 self-care activities linked to ISD have been organised around the world, in countries as far apart as Brazil, China, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, the United States and Vietnam. Some countries – the UK and Canada – have organised self-care weeks.
ISD-related activities have been focused on youth (e.g. a poster design competition, mob flash dance, and concerts), seniors (community involvement programmes, physical examination programmes), the general public (public lectures, expert advice, sponsored public walks, football and golf matches, tai chi classes), occupational health, pharmacy (poster campaign, pharmacy manager training), research (on self-care habits and behaviour), and the media (media events, newspaper and journal articles).
ISF’s ultimate aim is for ISD to be formally recognised by the United Nations as an official commemorative day, which would further encourage participation. We are delighted that the Senate of the United States agreed a Resolution to designate July 24 as International Self-Care Day – see Senate Resolution 515 of the 113th Congress.
There are seven pillars of self-care (courtesy of the International Self-Care Foundation):
1. Health literacy – the capacity of individuals to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions
2. Self-awareness of physical and mental condition – includes: knowing your body mass index (BMI), cholesterol level and blood pressure; engaging in health screening.
3. Physical activity – practicing moderate intensity physical activity such as walking, cycling or participating in sports at a desirable frequency.
4. Healthy eating – includes: having a nutritious, balanced diet with appropriate levels of calorie intake.
5. Risk avoidance or mitigation – includes: quitting tobacco use, limiting alcohol use, getting vaccinated, practicing safe sex, using sunscreen.
6. Good hygiene – includes: washing hands regularly, brushing teeth, washing food.
7. Rational and responsible use of products, services, diagnostics and medicines – includes: being aware of dangers, using responsibly when necessary.