We know you, and we know your struggle. You’re all about the hustle, but sometimes—okay, a lot of times—you get so caught up in the craziness that you forget to take care of yourself. And then the next thing you know, it’s two in the morning and you’re sitting in bed thinking about those 400 emails that are waiting for you in your inbox. It’s not fun, and we want to help!
That’s why we’ve put together some self-care statistics for you. So take a break from your busy day and give yourself a few minutes to learn about how many people are struggling with their mental health, how many aren’t prioritizing their own well-being, and how many are taking time for themselves on the regular. You may be surprised at what you find.
We’ve all heard the saying “you deserve to take time for yourself,” but it’s a lot easier said than done. So we did some research, and we found a bunch of statistics that will help you feel even more confident about making self-care a priority.
Why? Because our bodies need it, our minds need it, and our spirits need it. We promise you’re not the only one who needs to set aside some time to unplug and recharge.
If you need something to get your heart racing this morning, keep reading.
Self-Care Statistics (Editor’s Picks)
- Only 30% of Americans set aside time for self-care.
- Single people are better at self-care than people who are married or in a relationship.
- Men are more consistent with self-care than women.
- At-home ritual spas are the preferred form of self-care by 47% of Americans.
- On average, Americans spent 65 minutes per week on self-care.
- 64% believe that self-care can boost their confidence.
Self-Care Statistics in the US
1. Single people are better at self-care than people who are married or in a relationship.
(Birchbox)
People who aren’t in a relationship generally have more time to engage and keep up with their self-care routines. They can catch up with friends or visit the spa more often. That’s probably why 42% of single individuals make time for themselves compared to 30% of people in a relationship.
2. Men are more consistent with self-care than women.
(Birchbox)
Statistics show that 49% of men consistently take the time for themselves to practice self-care, while only 32% of women can say the same. Although men are more consistent with self-care, they’re also more likely to let social engagements and work responsibilities stand in the way of self-care.
For example, 22% of men will cut into their self-care time to attend a social engagement as opposed to only 12% who will do the same.
3. Compared to non-parents, parents are more likely to feel guilty about self-care.
(Birchbox)
While 39% of parents feel guilty about taking some me-time, only 26% of non-parents feel the same.
The common thought that crosses the minds of parents when they practice self-care is that the time they spend on self-care could’ve been spent completing household chores or spending time with their children. However, at the end of the day, we all deserve some me-time, even parents—especially parents.
4. At-home ritual spas are the preferred form of self-care by 47% of Americans.
(Vagaro)
On the other hand, 41% prefer visiting the spa to get treatments. Additionally, for 36% of Americans, self-care means getting a mani/pedi at a nail salon.
Moreover, 34% prefer getting a haircut at a nail salon or barber, while the same percentage are content with getting hair treatments at home.
Lastly, 33% opt to exercise outside, while 31% think that working out in a gym is best.
5. More than four out of five people say that they’d happily cancel plans to have some time to themselves.
(Birchbox)
In particular, 52% of those aged 21 and above would gladly skip happy hour, 35% would give up going out with their friends, and 31% would happily pass on live shows, concerts, or movies to spend time alone and catch up on their personal self-care routines.
6. More people think of self-care as taking care of their physical health than mental health.
(Birchbox)
A survey shows that 74% of people take care of their bodies as a form of self-care, while 57% think of self-care as taking a mental break.
This statistic is probably why 74% of people associate self-care with exercise and fitness. However, aside from exercising, people also take naps, meditate, or listen to podcasts when taking some time for themselves.
7. 72% of people primarily think of beauty and grooming routines when it comes to self-care.
(Birchbox)
This is probably one of the most commonly preferred forms of self-care. However, two in three people admit to multi-tasking when they perform beauty and grooming routines.
For example, 58% of people clean their house while donning a face mask or teeth whitening products, and 49% admit to cooking a meal.
How America Viewed Self-Care Before COVID-19
8. Only 30% of Americans set aside time for self-care.
(Birchbox)
With less than half of the American population taking the time to take care of themselves and their well-being, it’s safe to say that self-care isn’t top of mind. However, taking even just 30 minutes of you-time per week can positively impact your overall health and wellness.
9. One in three Americans felt guilty about taking time for themselves.
(Birchbox)
We already know that self-care isn’t selfish, but a significant portion of the population still felt guilty about taking care of themselves.
We should keep in mind that self-care isn’t meant to take away from our time spent taking care of others, it’s spent to replenish ourselves so we can better take care of our family.
10. In the US, 67% stated that they prioritize caring for others more than themselves.
(Birchbox)
Although statistics show that half of the population felt burned out and overwhelmed with their life situations, 67% still prioritized other people’s well-being over theirs.
This is a mistake. You can’t pour from an empty cup; therefore, you have to take care of yourself first before you can take care of someone else.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Self-Care Practices
11. In 2020, 73% of Americans were more aware of practicing self-care.
(Study Finds)
The COVID-19 pandemic has made us shift our focus on what truly matters. It also made us think about how important our health is. That’s why in 2020, more and more Americans became conscious about taking care of themselves.
12. On average, Americans spent 65 minutes per week on self-care in 2020.
(Study Finds)
This averages to around 10 minutes of self-care per day, which isn’t that bad. However, we should take into consideration what activities are viewed as self-care.
That said, 47% of Americans think of self-care in the form of at-home spa rituals. However, even the simple act of preparing a healthy meal for yourself is also considered self-care.
13. Spending more time on self-care in 2021 was the goal of 69% of Americans in 2020.
(Study Finds)
More than half of Americans intended to spend more time on self-care in 2021 than in the previous year.
By this time, Americans—and the rest of the world population—have realized the importance of self-care and are becoming more aware and intentional of how much time they spend on themselves.
14. 67% report that the self-care routines they started in 2020 are now a part of their daily routine.
(Study Finds)
Stress was a common occurrence in 2020. With that, people have found innovative ways to reduce stress from the comfort of their homes.
As a result, self-care became a popular category in e-commerce, increasing the sales of at-home spa items, exercise equipment, and skincare products.
That said, the majority of those who started taking care of themselves more in 2020 state that they’ve integrated those routines effectively into their daily lives.
15. 70% of people believe that self-care is more than just a pandemic fad.
(Vagaro)
Although some people might disagree, self-care is here for the long haul.
Aside from 70% of people believing that self-care will stay long after the COVID-19 pandemic ends, 71% also believe that people will prioritize self-care in the next five years as a result of the pandemic.
Many seem to believe that there’s a positive shift in the self-care trend that’s not going to be reversed anytime soon.
Statistics About the Importance of Self-Care
16. In the US, three-quarters of people believe self-care can alleviate stress.
(Vagaro)
As life gets more stressful, many people are turning to self-care routines to relieve stress.
According to a survey released by Vagaro in 2021, 75% of Americans firmly believe that self-care can help reduce stress, which is probably why more than half of the population intends to maintain the self-care routines they picked up in 2020.
17. 59% of Americans will only engage in self-care if they’re stressed.
(Vagaro)
Self-care should be done to make us feel good about ourselves, not just when we’re feeling stressed. However, it’s also not an unknown fact that people rarely have time to practice self-care, and some even feel guilty for practicing it.
So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that more than half of Americans will only practice self-care when they feel stressed.
18. 7 out of 10 people reward themselves with self-care after having a challenging week.
(Vagaro)
People have different reasons for practicing self-care. For some, it’s a sort of lifeline when they’re feeling stressed.
On the other hand, most people use self-care to reward themselves when they’ve had a tough week—whether they’ve had a long week at work or they’ve recently dealt with a difficult life situation.
19. 64% believe that self-care can boost their confidence.
(Vagaro)
There is an undeniable link between self-care and confidence. When you engage in self-care, you inevitably feel more confident in yourself and your abilities.
At the same time, when you have high self-esteem, you’re able to maintain your self-care routine because you don’t feel guilty about taking some me-time.
20. 67% report feeling more productive after practicing self-care.
(Vagaro)
Think about this: research shows that productivity declines rapidly after working 50 hours in one week. The more you work beyond this limit, the less productive you’ll be. Moreover, if you don’t take at least one day off per week, you’ll likely have lower output.
That said, we can say that self-care—or taking some me-time—can positively affect productivity as reported by 67% of people.
21. 71% say that they’re much happier after taking time for themselves.
(Vagaro)
Incorporating simple self-care routines into your daily life can do so much for your mental health and overall well-being.
You can write in a journal every day to release any pent-up emotion, schedule a call or night out with friends, take a walk in nature, practice positive self-talk, meditate, or simply get enough sun.
Related Questions
Why is self-care important?
Oftentimes, we’re so busy taking care of others that we often forget to take care of ourselves. However, self-care is important too. Research has shown that self-care relieves stress, boosts confidence, and generally makes people feel happier and more productive.
How many people struggle with self-care?
Although 67% of Americans desperately feel the need for self-care, a whopping 1 in 3 feel guilty about blocking time on their schedules to take care of themselves. Half of the US adult population admits to feeling burned out, so self-care is really a must.
How does self-care affect productivity?
Research has shown that our cognitive ability and concentration improve when we practice self-care and generally look after ourselves. Self-care is more than just face masks and a trip to the spa; it’s about giving yourself what you need to operate at your best, thereby making you more productive.
How much is the self-care industry worth?
With the continually rising healthcare costs in the US, many Americans are looking to take charge of their health and well-being. With that, American consumers are engaging in more self-care activities, driving the self-care industry’s market value to $450 billion.
What are the eight areas of self-care?
Self-care is a holistic approach to ensuring your overall health is at an optimal level. That said, the eight areas you need to remember are physical, emotional, psychological, professional, social, spiritual, environmental, and financial self-care.
What are examples of self-care?
If you relax and take a bath, that’s self-care; so is doing yoga, meditating, or taking a walk in nature. However, ensuring that you’re getting enough sleep and eating healthy is also a form of self-care. Ideally, anything you’re doing to take care of your well-being is considered self-care.
Conclusion
When it comes to self-care, one thing is clear: we all need to be doing more of it.
The idea that we should “put ourselves first” is still new and, admittedly, a little mysterious to most of us. But the evidence is clear: taking care of yourself will not only help you live longer and healthier, but you’ll also find that your relationships are better, your work is better, and your whole life is better.
The word “self-care” may seem like a buzzword these days, but the truth is that it can be a powerful tool for combating stress and improving your overall well-being.
When you engage in self-care activities, you are giving yourself permission to take care of yourself first before giving energy to others. Additionally, when you incorporate self-care practices into your daily routine, these habits allow you to become better at coping with stressors and triggers in other areas of your life.
So what does self-care look like for you? It may be different from what someone else engages in for their own practice; however, the important thing is that your definition of self-care aligns with what works best for you and helps you feel rejuvenated after engaging in these practices.
What are your thoughts? Do you think self-care is here to stay or just a passing fad? Let us know.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
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