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 provides a media-friendly forum and a focus for individuals and groups to (independently) promote self-care in their organisation or community. July 24 has been chosen because 24/7 (or 7/24) reminds us that the benefits of self-care are felt 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All stakeholders in health are invited to use International Self-Care Day in responsible ways that progress the cause of healthy lifestyles and wellness.

Each year ISF develops a general theme for International Self-Care Day. For 2016, the theme is “Get better with Self-Care”. This has a dual meaning of a person getting healthier and well, and it means that we should all do the practice of self-care better.

Since 2011 self-care activities linked to ISD have been organised around the world, in countries as far apart as China, Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Vietnam and the USA. Some countries – the UK and Canada –independently organise ‘self-care weeks’ each year.

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). Good luck with your event!