Canadians Rethink Wellness on International Self-Care Day

July 24 isn’t just another summer date—it’s International Self-Care Day, a global reminder that taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. And this year, a new survey commissioned by Haleon Canada is helping shine a light on how Canadians really feel about self-care in 2025.

The findings? Canadians know the importance of self-care— more than half say they want to prioritize self-care, but don’t feel they have the resources or time.  What they may not realize is that practicing self-care is about being empowered to take a bigger role in their everyday health through prevention and maintaining daily wellbeing.

Self-Care: A Priority That’s Often Pushed Aside

According to a recent Haleon Canada national survey, most Canadians associate wellbeing with physical health; and when asked about self-care they cite mental and emotional wellbeing, sleep, nutrition and exercise as the most important activities.

Ottawa residents, like many across the country, are juggling work, family, and personal goals. And while self-care is often associated with yoga mats and green smoothies, Haleon suggests it’s time to broaden the definition of self-care.

“Self-care isn’t just a trend, it’s a life-long healthcare strategy,” says Sarey Wulf, Head of Corporate Affairs at Haleon Canada. “Self-care is accessible to everyone. It can be simplified, personalized and made part of everyday life. It involves understanding how to better prevent and manage minor ailments, such as mild coughs and colds or taking a multivitamin.”

Beyond Bubble Baths

Self-care is more than relaxation—it’s about empowerment. Haleon, (the company behind trusted products like Advil, Centrum, and Sensodyne), is encouraging Canadians to take an active role in their health. According to the survey, only about one-third (37 percent) of Canadians say they treat with over-the-counter products as the first step when feeling they feel of a common health concern. At just 24 percent, Gen Z is the generation least likely to use over-the-counter medications to manage their healthcare–compared to 55+ at 45 percent. If more Canadians expanded their definition of self-care to include managing minor health ailments, it could help alleviate some health system pressure.

“We believe self-care is about building a personalized approach to wellness–one that supports all aspects—physical health, mental and emotional wellbeing—and taking an active role in your health. An important part of this journey is health literacy—something that Haleon passionately supports. Health literacy is described as the knowledge, tools, and confidence to understand health information and make wise decisions—knowing, for example, when a sore muscle needs rest versus medical attention, or how to treat minor cold symptoms at home rather than in a doctor’s office.”

A Call to Action: Embrace Self-Care Every Day

In Ottawa and across Canada, self-care is something Canadians could be practicing more. Whether it’s taking a walk in Gatineau Park, booking that long-overdue dental appointment, or managing minor illnesses and ailments at home, small steps matter.

Haleon’s message is clear: self-care is healthcare. And when Canadians take an active role in their wellbeing, they could feel better and help ease the burden on the healthcare system.

Header Photo: iStock