- WAIORA
- Posts
- It's self-care awareness month!
SPLASH OF THE WEEK
The Essential Connection Between Wellness and Water
September is Self-Care Awareness Month, a time to rethink what it truly means to care for ourselves. Often, we think of self-care as pampering—spa days, yoga sessions, bubble baths. But the Self-Care Awareness Foundation wants to change the way we see self-care, from an occasional indulgence to a daily necessity.
Why Self-Care Matters Now More Than Ever
In a world that glorifies busyness, prioritising your health and wellness has never been more important. Self-care isn’t just a luxury for weekends; it’s the foundation for a balanced, healthy life. But here’s the thing—we often forget the environmental impact of our self-care routines.
The Self-Care Economy and Its Environmental Impact
The global wellness industry is booming, valued at over $1.5 trillion. From skincare products to meditation apps, the options are endless. But many personal care items we rely on—creams, lotions, and shampoos—contain chemicals and microplastics that contribute to water pollution. These synthetic ingredients wash off our bodies, enter water systems, and harm aquatic life. Worse, they could find their way back into our food and drinking water.
The Hidden Costs of Personal Care
The chemicals in personal care products, like parabens and microbeads, are now recognised as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). They don’t just disappear when they go down the drain. These pollutants can harm marine ecosystems and potentially end up in our water supply. The irony? While trying to nurture ourselves, we may be damaging the very resources—like clean water—that our bodies depend on.
Why Water Should Be Central to Your Self-Care
Water is the foundation of life. Every single cell in your body needs water to function properly. Polluting this vital resource compromises not only the environment but also your own health. Clean, pure water is essential for true wellness. That’s why sustainable self-care should start with how we treat water.
Redefining Self-Care for a Healthier Future
This Self-Care Awareness Month, let’s take a holistic view of wellness. Yes, personal care products have their place, but true self-care involves practices that honour both your body and the planet. Taking care of your water—by making water-friendly product choices and reducing water pollution—means taking care of yourself.
Self-care means water care.
By being more mindful of what we put on our bodies and how it impacts our water systems, we’re not only caring for ourselves—we’re caring for the world around us.
NEWS BOX // THE AGE OF WATER WELLNESS
Chemical Link to Early Puberty
New research highlights a concerning connection between a common chemical used in personal care products and the onset of early puberty. This compound, found in everything from cosmetics to air fresheners, may affect brain signals related to puberty. For more details, read the full report on NBC News: Early Puberty Linked to Common Chemical.2024 Wellness Trends: Magnesium & Kid's Skincare
As we approach 2024, key wellness trends include the use of magnesium for better sleep and a growing focus on children's skincare. Experts caution against unrealistic beauty standards that can harm children's mental and skin health, noting risks like periorificial dermatitis. Learn more about these trends and their implications on The Guardian: 2024 Wellness Trends.In need of more personal care products?
The British beauty industry experienced an 11% growth in 2023, contributing £27.2 billion to the GDP. Full article on Spa Business: British Beauty Industry Growth.