I remember being at a training event, whilst at university, when a member of the panel posed the question, ‘what is self-care and how do you apply it into your daily life?’ My classmates and I each looked at each other, attempting to formulate a concise definition, as if searching for one perfect answer that would ‘fit’ all of us. But, how do you begin to neatly define a concept that encompasses so many aspects of our life and that to many, is a deeply personal marriage between body, mind and soul.

According to a Youth Insights platform, YPulse, 76% of gen Z defined wellness “as anything that makes you feel good.” This somewhat refreshing idea is a far cry from the conventional standards, often tied to beauty, that we may be programmed to conjure up when we think of a healthy and ‘well’ lifestyle.

Often in the wellness industry, we hear this word ‘journey’ pop up time and time again. However, no matter how much of a cliche you may think it sounds, I actually believe it is a great depiction of the individual nature of self-care.

Self-care does not have to mean you train for a marathon, become a pilates pro or fork out on all the latest skincare trends – rather it is how you show up for yourself to create the type of lifestyle you would like and also deserve.

In a fast-paced, modern society, we can invest so much in our professional roles, our daily responsibilities and our relationships with others, and we can often neglect the one thing that anchors all of these – the relationship we have with ourselves.

So much of what we experience each day is directly impacted by those around us and the world we live in. However, amidst all of this, more and more content is being created around this ‘need’ to harvest a space for ourselves within the context of our modern societal ‘norms.’ Shelves of major bookstores are dedicated to ‘self help’ books, social media platforms are flooded with ‘wellness’ content, and in our towns and cities more and more hubs for wellness are popping up, all appealing to the allure of self-care, whilst enabling the wellness lifestyle we are now sold on a daily basis.

Gone are the days where lifestyle and ‘self-care’ segments often appeared hidden under streams of editorial content. In 2025, entire platforms have been built around the industry, feeding the appetite of the growing ‘age of wellness.’

In fact, as more and more of us embark on our own wellness journey, the seemingly ‘saturated’ industry continues to grow, showing no sign of slowing down. It is estimated that by the end of 2025, the wellness industry will be responsible for contributing an eye-watering ﹩7 trillion towards the global economy.

There is no denying that the wellness industry has been hugely commercialised, packaged up and sold in any form it possibly can be. For many it can seem overwhelming or another ‘influence’ that has been filtered to convince us to buy into another modern day ‘commodity.’

Our generation is particularly good at commercialising the striking benefits of self-care because we are also the core consumer. Gen Z are widely considered to be the most wellness minded generation, who are borderline obsessed with the lifestyle ideals it generates and I am no different.

Our global influence explored through travel, constant exposure via social media, our desire to generate connections with like-minded people and our openness to explore the dynamic layers of self-care all open us to this way of living. From spiritual crystals to health powders and pimple patches, when it comes to commercialising and commodifying wellness, latest generations have it down.

However, at its core, it is a powerful and essential tool with visible benefits. From combating physical and mental health challenges, to providing holistic remedies, the wellness industry is a pinnacle in our global economy because there is a demand for it and there is demand because people are awakened to a different way of living, a different version of themselves – all fuelled by a journey of self-care.

As a wellness enthusiast I began to implement wellness habits into my daily life, so much so that now they are a part of my routine rather than a task I have tirelessly and consciously to incorporate into my day to day.

Have you been mindful of your water intake, tried to stick to a nightly skin regime and sleep routine, enjoyed meaningful interactions with family and friends, implemented work boundaries, taken time to centre your breath or pause for rest? If so, guess what, you are practicing self-care. It does not have to mirror a polished TikTok reel or reflect the ideals of your best friend, it just has to help you along your own personal journey – see, I told you it was a fitting term.

So, with all this in mind, I ask, ‘what is self-care and how do you apply it into your daily life?’