Self-Care is Health Care: Honoring WHO’s Self-Care Month in the Massage Therapy Community
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes July as Self-Care Month, culminating on International Self Care Day on July 24th annually. It’s a powerful reminder that caring for ourselves is not a luxury…it’s the foundation for lifelong health and wellness.
As massage therapists and health professionals, we show up daily to support others. We tune into pain patterns, nervous system signals, and emotional stressors. But how often do we tune into ourselves?
Everyone at StrongHouse understands that to care for others…means we must care for ourselves first. Self-care is more than spa days or occasional breaks—it's an intentional practice of listening to our bodies, restoring our energy, and cultivating emotional resilience.
Why Self-Care Matters
Prevent Burnout: Physical fatigue and emotional depletion are real risks in our profession. Taking time to recharge helps us stay present, effective, and compassionate at the table.
Modeling Healthy Boundaries: Clients often look to us for cues. When we prioritize our health, we normalize boundaries and proactive wellness.
Continuing Education as Self-Care: Learning something new, refreshing your knowledge, or simply being with peers can reinvigorate your practice and stimulate your mind.
StrongHouse Suggestions for Therapist Self-Care
Move Mindfully: Both at the table and in your everyday life…keeping your body stable and fluid in motion, and functional.
Hydrate and Nourish: Hydrate over the course of your day, and be sure to schedule times to prep, create, and eat meals to feed the machine.
Set Recovery Time: Time between sessions creates space to reset your practice room both physically and energetically.
Schedule Regular Bodywork: Exchange massage sessions with colleagues, or experience other styles of bodywork like acupuncture, Gua Sha, Thai Massage, abdominal massage, Teishin, and the list goes on and on!!!
Connect with Community: Isolation is common in solo practice. Make space to learn, share, and grow with others through your AMTA Chapter or schedule a meet-up at StrongHouse Studio!
Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin: Take time off to relax your body and mind.
Establish Rapport: When rapport is established, sessions flow more smoothly, communication is clear and mutual, emotional labor decreases, boundaries are respected, and you feel safe and supported, too.
For tips on self-care from the World Health Organization, check out their 2025 Self-Care Innovations for Health and Well Being toolkit open the PDF file below!
Listen to how establishing rapport deepens your therapeutic relationships as a form of self-care in our special offering with Melissa and our collaboration with ClinicSense on YouTube. This practical session will explore how rapport protects your energy, improves client outcomes, and strengthens your professional joy.
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...we are stronger together ⭕
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