7/16/2025A Physical Therapist’s Guide to Self-Care: Celebrating International Self-Care Day – July 24

When people think of self-care, they often picture candles, face masks, or a long weekend away. And while those can be great, true self-care goes much deeper. It’s about building habits that support your body, mind, and long-term well-being.

At Cypress Physical Therapy, we believe that physical therapy is self-care. But it’s also just one piece of the puzzle. In honor of International Self-Care Day (July 24), here’s a practical guide to incorporating self-care into your life—no matter how busy you are.

🧠 1. Rethink What Self-Care Means

Self-care isn’t indulgent—it’s essential. It means:

• Listening to your body
   
• Managing stress
   
• Getting enough sleep
   
• Moving with purpose
   
• Fueling your body well
   

When you care for your body consistently, you prevent injuries, reduce pain, and improve your daily performance.

🤸 2. Make Movement a Daily Habit

Movement is one of the most powerful forms of self-care. This doesn’t mean running a marathon—it can be as simple as:

• Gentle stretching in the morning
   
• A walk during lunch
   
• A few strengthening exercises from your PT plan
   

These small actions keep joints healthy, muscles active, and your energy up.

💧 3. Support Your Recovery

If you’re in physical therapy, self-care helps your body get the most out of each session. That includes:

• Staying hydrated
   
• Prioritizing rest
   
• Doing your at-home exercises
   
• Managing inflammation through nutrition and cold/heat therapy when recommended
   

Recovery is when the real progress happens—don’t skip it.

🗓️ 4. Start Small and Stay Consistent

Self-care isn’t about doing everything all at once. It’s about building consistent habits that make you feel stronger and more balanced over time.

Try this:

• Choose one self-care action this week: a daily 5-minute stretch, journaling at night, or drinking more water.
   
• Set a reminder or build it into a routine you already have.
   
• Reflect weekly—what helped? What didn’t?
  
   

🌟This International Self-Care Day, take a moment to check in with yourself. Your wellness journey is more than just what happens in a physical therapy session—it’s built on the choices you make daily to care for your body and mind.

Remember: investing in your health is never a waste. It’s the foundation of everything else.