Here are the easy yet effective self-care activities that you can learn on International Self-Care Day that can help in your mental well-being, physical health, skin, sleep, gut health, and hydration. It in India is a joyous daily routine on the way to improved well-being.
It is celebrated on 24th July to symbolise the concept of caring about oneself through 24/7 self-care. It is not a one-day party but it is a reminder that well-being is an hourly issue that needs to be put first each day.
Why does it matter? Since, when we neglect our mental and physical health all the other things start to fall apart. Similar to how you have to charge your phone regularly, you should also give your body and mind regular and deliberate care. And no, it does not imply paying thousands of rupees on spa retreats. Other times it is as easy as drinking more water or getting up and spending five minutes doing some stretches.
How self-care support mental wellness and helps manage stress
One of the pillars of good health in life is mental wellness, but it is the first one to be given up. The stress levels, anxiety and burnout are at an all-time high and evident in urban India, where work pressure, social comparisons and screen times never cease to end.
Here’s how self-care helps combat mental fatigue:
● Mindfulness activities such as meditation, journaling or deep breathing have been found to reduce the levels of cortisol, which is the hormone that causes stress. Even 10 minutes daily will help acquire the improvement of the mood.
● The boundaries in the digital world are essential. Through recharging, concentration is enhanced and one can prevent overstimulation through regular breaks involving phones and laptops.
● Sleep hygiene: The factors that would positively affect the brain activity and the emotional state would be screen usage before bedtime, going to bed in a dark room and keeping a steady schedule.
● Self-respect comes in the form of emotional check-ins and saying no when you are overwhelmed. Rest is not something you need to earn, it’s your right.
Those who practiced mindfulness after eight weeks reduced their stress by 23 percent (Mindfulness, n.d.).
Simple physical self-care habits that boost your well-being
Physical well-being is not only about being attractive, but it also concerns the ability to be full of energy, sleep better, and be free of chronic tiredness or some other minor health issue. These are the easy physical self-care alternatives that you can adopt:
● Easy to move around and adapt: You are not forced to attend a fitness club. The circulation can be helped and the stiffness of the joints reduced by taking an early walk (15 min), stretching or even doing yoga at home.
● Pay attention to sleep: Seek to have 7-9 hours of sleep time. Put on the blackout curtains, lower the temperature of your room, and do not consume caffeine after 5 PM.
● Increase the level of whole foods: Consume less processed junk grub and add more seasonal fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to the meals.
● Water is important: Have 2.5 to 3 litres of water daily. Add lemon or cucumber, which should add flavour and electrolytes, when necessary.
● Avoid sugary and caffeinated goods: They will mess up your energy cycles & your gut health. Replace with herbal teas such as chamomile or tulsi that are relaxation teas.
Physical self-care is a thing that makes all others around you better; when your body is in a better condition, your mind is affected correspondingly.
The underrated pillars of self-care
Self-care usually does not focus much on the state of one's gut, which is a tremendous part of both the physical and mental condition. Millions of bacteria, with a lot of them having a direct impact on your mood, energy and immune system, live in your gut.
This is how you can take care of your gut in a natural manner:
● Consume fermented food such as curd, buttermilk, idli, dosa, kimchi and sauerkraut.They contain probiotics, which replace good bacteria.
● Consumption of fibre (in the form of fruits, vegetables, oats and legumes). Fibre assists the body in cleansing invasive toxins and digestion.
● Refrain from using antibiotics unless there is a need: It kills both the bad and good bacteria.
● Include prebiotics: Garlic, onions, bananas and leeks nourish the good bacteria in your gut.
The mental wellness and immune activity are directly connected to gut health. Individuals having differing gut microbiomes have higher resistance to stress and diseases (Robertson, 2025).
Skin care as a self-care practice
Clear skin is not just a cosmetic goal—it’s a mirror of your internal health. Hormones and what you eat, drink, and sleep all appear on your face. Here is the way to take care of your skin in a natural way:
● Be hydrated: A dehydrated skin appears dull and tired. The most inexpensive thing that you can use in skincare is water.
● Include foods that are skin-friendly: Foods containing antioxidants include almonds, walnuts, papaya, tomatoes, and green tea.
● Make a routine: Tender cleanse, sunscreen and moisturisers every day. Avoid over-exfoliating.
● Manage stress: The stress leads to the discharge of hormones into the body that lead to dullness and breakouts.
● Do not touch your face so frequently; it is your hands that do the dirty job of carrying the bacteria.
Climate and pollution in India might be very detrimental to the skin. The difference is felt when consuming fewer and yet efficient products and avoiding the harsh chemicals.
The power of mindfulness and intentional living
Mindfulness has something to do with more than meditation. It is regarding being there in a real sense in whatever you do day-to-day. It refers to enjoying the chai in the morning, not forgetting to take the chai as you scroll through Instagram.
This is how you can introduce mindfulness to your life:
● Make the mornings slow: Do not turn on emails immediately after you wake up. Breathe,stretch and set intentions.
● Enjoy eating without distractions: This makes the digestion process more effective and avoids overeating.
● Multitasking should be avoided and single-tasking should be used. Choose to be completely present at any particular activity, whether it is brushing your teeth or typing an email.
● Gratitude writing: In the evening, each night, write out three things that you appreciate. This rewires your brain for positivity.
● Practice deep breathing: Just 5 deep breaths can shift your nervous system from stress to calm.
Mindfulness has been linked with lower anxiety, improved heart rate variability, and higher resilience in multiple studies (MSEd, 2022).
Self-care in India
India is uniquely placed when it comes to self-care. We have centuries of wellness wisdom, from turmeric milk and oil pulling to yoga and pranayama. India holds a rich heritage of wellness—from Ayurveda to yoga and pranayama. However, such global trends as adaptogenic wearable technology and clean skincare are also available to us.
There is a way you can combine the two:
● Follow dinacharya (daily routine): Get up early, do yoga and have regular meals.
● Ayurvedic herbs: Ashwagandha during stress, Triphala to help the digestion and Brahmi during mental fog.
● Add local superfoods: Amla, ghee, moringa and coconut oil, all of which is said to aid immunity and digestion.
● New forms of practices, such as therapy and health monitoring applications, can fill in your more traditional habits.
The combination renders wellness to be more holistic and sustainable. You do not have to choose what to live between the East and West; you can take both.
Conclusion
International Self-Care Day is a reminder that it is not selfish to concentrate on taking care of ourselves, that it is necessary. Self-care is the backbone of a healthier and happier life and it would cover all the way up to the health of your gut and skin and all the way down to the clarity of your mind and stability of your emotions. Even in places of the highest demand, like in India, any small wellness routine will assist you with preventing burnout. Today, therefore, get a walk, have that healthy meal, switch off the gadget and breathe. Self-care is not an option and it is not a luxury; it is survival. And what is the most opportune time to begin? Right now.
FAQs
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What is International Self-Care Day and what is it about?
It is a holiday that is celebrated on July 24th to encourage everyday self-care. It will serve as a reminder that it is our job to take care of ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally, hence a 24/7 choosing of such, rather than just a one-off. -
What are the basic self-care practices in real life?
Drink water, have a good sleep, feed the gut with the right foods, and have breaks from screens. 5-minute breathing, walking, or journaling may also be small steps to improving your well-being, provided you perform such small actions regularly. -
Does self-care make skin and gut health better?
Definitely. A healthy intestine helps in digestion and gives clear skin and immunity. Reproduce probiotics, drink water and get a good sleep so the light radiates on the inside. - What can you say about carving self-care within their schedule when busy people in India are supposed to go on with their day-to-day activities?
Begin simply: breathe, stroll, drink water, and remove the plug. Pack meals in advance, avoid coffee at night and go offline. Even a small portion of time spent in the process of self-help, such as 5-10 minutes a day, can be significant.
References
- Mindfulness. (n.d.). https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/topics/mindfulness
- MSEd, K. C. (2022, September 2). Benefits of mindfulness. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-benefits-of-mindfulness-5205137
- Robertson, R., PhD. (2025, March 6). The Gut-Brain Connection: How it Works and The Role of Nutrition. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-brain-connection