National Self-Care Week 2025: Making Space for Your Wellbeing

17–23 November marks National Self-Care Week 2025—an annual reminder that looking after ourselves isn’t a luxury, but an essential act of maintenance for our mental, emotional, and physical health.

At Sea Change Therapies, we see every day how powerful small acts of self-care can be. Many people come to counselling because they’ve been caring for everyone else—family, work, community—without leaving space for themselves. Self-care isn’t selfish or self-indulgent; it’s the foundation that helps us feel grounded, connected, and able to cope with life’s challenges.

This year’s theme: ‘You Matter’

The 2025 theme invites us to re-centre ourselves and recognise our worth.

Self-care doesn’t need to be fancy or time-consuming. Sometimes, it’s as simple as:

• Taking five quiet minutes before the day begins

• Saying “no” to something you don’t have capacity for

• Reaching out to a friend

• Eating regularly

• Letting yourself rest

• Seeking support when things feel heavy

Self-care is the daily practice of meeting your needs with compassion.

Why self-care is so important

When life gets busy, our own needs are often the first to be dropped. But ignoring them tends to catch up with us—through exhaustion, irritability, anxiety, or feeling disconnected from ourselves.

Self-care helps us:

• Regulate stress

• Prevent burnout

• Build emotional resilience

• Strengthen our relationships

• Feel more present and grounded

Small steps build up. Even the gentlest act of care can shift the tone of your whole day.

Self-care in therapy

For many, therapy becomes a space to reconnect with themselves in a way that daily life doesn’t allow. It’s a place to pause, reflect, breathe, and be heard without judgement.

At Sea Change Therapies, our not-for-profit model means we aim to keep counselling affordable, inclusive, and accessible, so that caring for your mental wellbeing is not out of reach.

A gentle invitation for this week

As National Self-Care Week begins, we invite you to ask yourself:

“What do I need today?”

Not what you should do.

Not what others expect.

Just: What would support me today, even in a small way?

And if part of that answer involves speaking with someone, or seeking support, we’re here.

If you’d like to find out more about our low-cost counselling service, or refer yourself or someone you support, you can contact us through our website or message us directly.

Take care of yourself—this week, and every week.

You matter.