In brief
International Self-Care Day falls on 24 July, and for healthcare workers in Ireland, it's a timely nudge rather than just another date on the calendar. With burnout and stress running high across nursing, dental, physio and vet teams, this article looks at what the research actually shows, plus simple daily habits and small comforts, like workwear, that genuinely help.
International Self-Care Day is a reminder that small, repeatable habits beat big gestures, especially for healthcare workers under pressure. A proper break, an honest word with your team, and comfort on shift all count as self-care, not extras.
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Quick question: when's the last time you took a proper break on shift? Not a five-minute scroll on your phone in the sluice room, a real one. If you're struggling to remember, you're not alone. A recent INMO survey found that nearly 40% of nurses and midwives in Ireland feel their job is taking a toll on their mental wellbeing. International Self-Care Day lands on 24 July every year, and honestly, if anyone's earned a day dedicated to looking after themselves, it's healthcare workers. So whether you're in scrubs on a ward, in a dental surgery, a physio clinic or a vet practice, this one's for you.
So, What Actually Is International Self-Care Day?
It started back in 2011, thanks to the International Self-Care Foundation, and the date is a nice bit of wordplay: 24 July, or "24/7". The idea is that self-care shouldn't just happen once a year. It's a daily thing, or at least it should be. The World Health Organization backs it up with a whole Self-Care Month every June, building up to the big day itself. For most people, that's a gentle nudge to drink more water and go for a walk. For healthcare workers, it can feel like a bit of a joke, because who has time for self-care between patients, paperwork and back-to-back shifts?
Why Are Nurses and Healthcare Workers in Ireland So Burnt Out?
Here's the thing. Caring for people all day, every day, takes it out of you, even when you love the job. The same INMO member survey found that almost a quarter of respondents had gone to their own GP because of work-related stress in the past year. Separate HSE research put burnout symptoms at 70% among staff surveyed. And it's not just nurses. Dental teams are on their feet all day with barely a gap between patients, physios carry the physical and emotional weight of every session, and vets and ED staff deal with pressure that would flatten most people. If that sounds familiar, International Self-Care Day is basically permission to stop and check in with yourself for once.
Self-Care Isn't Selfish, We Promise
Let's clear that up. Self-care isn't bubble baths and face masks, although fair play if that's your thing. The WHO's actual definition is much simpler: it's anything you do to look after your own health, physically or mentally. That could be eating an actual lunch instead of inhaling a protein bar between rooms, getting to bed on time, or finally having that awkward conversation you've been putting off. On a busy shift, self-care isn't one big gesture. It's a handful of small habits, repeated often enough that they start to add up.
Self-Care Tips for Nurses
Bank the Tiny Wins
You don't need an hour. Even two or three minutes between patients counts, as long as you actually use them. Step outside, take a few deep breaths, drink some water before you rush to the next task. It sounds small, but little resets like this genuinely help your body and brain recover, even mid-shift.
Practise Saying "Not Today"
A lot of people in healthcare are hardwired to say yes to everything, usually at their own expense. International Self-Care Day is a good excuse to notice where you're overcommitting. A quick, honest chat with your team lead about workload can make a bigger difference than you'd think, and it's a lot more sustainable than just quietly struggling through.
Look After the Body That's Carrying You
Self-care isn't only in your head. Your body is doing a lot of work over a 12-hour shift, and scratchy, stiff scrubs make everything harder than it needs to be. We're not claiming a pair of scrubs fixes understaffing, but on a 12-hour shift, comfort is one of the few things you actually control. Soft, stretchy fabric, like our Koi Solis collection, is designed to actually move with you instead of fighting you all day. If you're in nursing, our nursing scrubs are built with long shifts in mind, and we've also got ranges made specifically for dental teams, physios and vet staff. Sometimes self-care really is just wearing something comfortable.
Can Teams Look After Each Other Too?
Self-care gets a lot easier when it isn't a solo mission. Teams who talk openly about stress tend to spot the warning signs in each other, like exhaustion or someone going quiet, way earlier. If you're in a leadership role, taking your own breaks sets the tone for everyone else. International Self-Care Day is as good a moment as any to bring it up at handover.
Where Do You Start?
International Self-Care Day is really just a nudge to remember that you deserve the same care you give everyone else, every single day, not just this one. Start small. A proper break, an honest word with your team, or scrubs that actually feel good to wear on your next shift. Have a browse of our healthcare uniforms collection and treat yourself to something comfortable. You've earned it.
FAQ - International Self-Care Day
What counts as self-care when you barely have time for a lunch break?
Self-care doesn't need to be a big gesture. It can be as simple as stepping outside for a few minutes, drinking enough water, or having an honest conversation about workload. Self-care is anything you do for your own physical or mental health, however small.
How can I practise self-care during a 12-hour shift?
Try building in small, realistic habits rather than aiming for one big change. A short break between patients, a proper meal instead of a rushed snack, and setting boundaries around extra shifts all add up over time and are easier to sustain than a complete routine overhaul.
Does comfortable workwear actually make a difference to burnout?
It won't fix staffing pressures on its own, but comfort matters more than people think over a long shift. Stiff, restrictive scrubs add to physical strain, while soft, stretchy fabric, like our Koi Solis collection, is designed to move with you and take one small source of discomfort out of your day.
How can managers help their team practise self-care?
Small things make the biggest difference: actively encouraging staff to take their breaks, checking in on workload rather than waiting for someone to raise it, and modelling the behaviour by taking their own breaks too. A team that talks openly about pressure tends to catch burnout early, before it becomes a bigger problem.
Author : Navneet Kaur Multani | LinkedIn