How to Get Involved in National Self Care Week

National Self Care Week arrives just when students often need it most: the nights are darker, deadlines are creeping up and energy levels are dipping. 

Officially, the UK-wide campaign runs from 17–23 November 2025, but many universities and colleges will be running activities across the whole week of 18–24 November, making it an ideal moment to pause, reset and think about how you look after yourself and the people around you. 

What National Self Care Week Is All About

National Self Care Week is an annual awareness week led by the Self Care Forum, a UK charity that exists to embed self-care into everyday life. 

It focuses on helping people develop the knowledge, confidence and habits to look after their own health and wellbeing, with support from communities and services, rather than only turning to the NHS when things reach crisis point. 

A Simple Definition of Self-Care

The Self Care Forum defines self-care as the actions that individuals take for themselves, on behalf of and with others, in order to develop, protect, maintain and improve their health, wellbeing or wellness. 

In practice, that might mean everyday choices like eating reasonably well, moving your body, sleeping enough, managing stress, seeking support when you need it and knowing when to use a pharmacy, NHS 111 or a GP. 

It is less about spa days and more about tiny, consistent decisions that help you stay well. 

The 2025 Theme: Mind and Body

The theme for National Self Care Week 2025 is “Mind and Body”. The idea is to highlight how closely mental and physical health are linked, and to encourage people to see self-care as something that supports both together rather than treating them as separate boxes. 

The Self Care Forum is promoting the full “self-care continuum”, from lifestyle choices to managing minor illnesses and long-term conditions, but this year there is a particular emphasis on the benefits of movement and physical activity for overall wellbeing. 

Why Self-Care Matters for Students

Student life can be exciting, but it is also full of pressure: academic work, part-time jobs, money worries, friendships, relationships and sometimes living away from home for the first time. 

It is very easy to slip into a pattern of late nights, irregular meals and constant stress, then wonder why everything feels harder than it should. Self-care gives you a way to manage that load more sustainably. 

Looking after your mind and body tends to improve concentration, mood and resilience, and it can reduce the need for last-minute urgent appointments by helping you spot issues earlier and use services appropriately. 

Everyday Self-Care on Campus

National Self Care Week is a good excuse to experiment with a kinder daily routine rather than trying to reinvent your life overnight. 

You might decide to walk to campus instead of always taking the bus, add a short stretch or movement break between study sessions, or make a simple plan for regular meals instead of skipping food when deadlines loom. 

You could also build in a daily “check-in” with yourself, asking how your mind and body feel and then taking one small action, such as drinking water, stepping outside for fresh air, messaging a friend or booking a chat with student support if something has been bothering you for a while.

Using the Right Health Support at the Right Time

A big part of the Self Care Week message is about using the right kind of help for different situations. 

Community pharmacies, for example, are highlighted as an accessible first stop for advice on common conditions like coughs, colds, minor skin issues or tummy upsets, and pharmacists can also help you understand medicines and decide when it is time to see a GP or use other NHS services. 

Alongside this, the Self Care Forum provides fact sheets and toolkits that organisations often share during the week, so it is worth checking your university’s website and social channels for links to reliable information rather than relying on random search results.

Getting Involved with Events and Activities

Many universities, colleges and local health partners run events during National Self Care Week, ranging from wellbeing walks and yoga sessions to drop-in stalls, mental health workshops and pharmacy or GP information stands. 

It is worth keeping an eye on your students’ union, wellbeing service and library noticeboards to see what is happening on your campus between 18 and 24 November. 

Even something small, like attending a short talk about stress, joining a group walk or popping by a stall to pick up a leaflet, can remind you that you are not the only one trying to juggle everything and that support is available. 

Helping Friends and Flatmates Look After Themselves

Self-care is personal, but it is also social. The Self Care Forum emphasises that self-care often happens “with others” as much as alone, which means there is real value in gently looking out for friends and flatmates. 

During Self Care Week you might check in with someone who has gone quiet, suggest a shared meal or walk if a friend seems overwhelmed, or offer to go along with them if they want to visit a GP, counselling service or pharmacy but feel nervous. 

You do not need to become anyone’s therapist; simply being a calm, non-judgemental presence and reminding people of the support available can make a big difference.

Spreading Awareness On and Offline

If you enjoy social media or student journalism, Self Care Week is a great chance to help spread useful messages rather than just doomscrolling. 

The Self Care Forum and many local organisations share ready-made graphics and posts focused on physical wellbeing, pharmacy use, mental wellness, common conditions and long-term conditions, which you can re-share or adapt with your own perspective as a student. 

You could write a short piece for a student newsletter, create a simple Instagram story about what self-care looks like for you, or encourage your society to post something aligned with the “Mind and Body” theme. 

Making Self-Care Last Beyond the Week

Perhaps the most important part of National Self Care Week is what happens afterwards. The campaign exists to encourage long-term habits, not just a one-off burst of good intentions. 

As the week ends, choose one small mind-focused habit, such as a daily check-in, journalling or taking five minutes to breathe before bed, and one body-focused habit, such as adding a short walk, prioritising sleep on most nights or drinking more water. 

Tell a friend what you are trying so you can gently keep each other on track. Over time, these small changes can make student life more manageable and more enjoyable. 

Self-care is not about being perfect; it is about giving yourself the best chance to feel well enough to learn, connect and make the most of your time at university, long after the campaign posters come down.