July 24 is International Self-Care Day. The term self-care often suggests activities like shopping sprees, massages, and bubble baths. While these are beneficial, they reflect a viewpoint that emphasizes the individual’s responsibility to take care of themselves. Messages like “Take care of YOURSELF” and “Do what YOU need to do to PERFORM your best” place the burden solely on the individual, neglecting the broader context of community and organizational support.

While it is crucial for individuals to prioritize their own well-being, it’s equally important to recognize that humans thrive best when supported by a caring community. This is where the concept of co-care comes into play: redistributing the energy and responsibility of care from the self to the collective. Co-care does not mean abandoning personal responsibility; rather, it emphasizes creating an environment where individuals feel seen and supported by their communities and workplace.

Imagine a scenario where an individual is doing everything we think of as self-care: eating healthily, getting enough sleep, exercising, meditating, and maintaining social connections. They are even doing tasks that might not be considered “self-care” by society, but are crucial for one’s well-being, such as completing chores, making doctor’s appointments, and filtering media consumption. Despite these efforts, if they are in a toxic workplace or surrounded by uncaring people, their self-care practices will likely fall short. Since humans are wired for connection, their environment significantly impacts their ability to maintain well-being.

Organizations play a critical role in fostering employee well-being. When relationships within an organization are healthy, individuals are better positioned to care for themselves. Conversely, when the system is flawed, expecting individuals to “fix” themselves is both ineffective and exploitative. For example, while providing employees with health promotion materials is beneficial, it is problematic if an organization overlooks the systemic issues that may be contributing to their stress.

When the workplace views employee well-being solely through a cost/benefit analysis, it can be limiting and even patronizing– as it places undue pressure on individuals and neglects the organization’s role in supporting their employees. Moreover, there is a compelling case for prioritizing staff well-being from a business perspective. Businesses are increasingly recognizing that a well-cared-for workforce is more productive, with lower absenteeism and higher retention rates. A safe and caring workplace not only enhances productivity, but also makes financial and business sense.

Belonging to a community offers significant mental health benefits. The first step in co-care is to commit to building a sense of community and seeing oneself as part of it. This begins with looking beyond our own perspective and recognizing the experiences and needs of others. Simple actions like listening with compassion, reminding others they are not alone, or buying a co-worker a tea can ease the burden on individuals and help create a sense of belonging.

While self-care is essential, it cannot exist in a vacuum. To truly thrive, we need to foster an environment of co-care—one where communities and organizations create conditions that support the well-being of every individual. By doing so, we create spaces where everyone can perform at their best, not just for their own benefit but for the collective good of the community. After all, we do better individually when we are part of a supportive community, and the whole community thrives when its members are well-cared for. Let’s embrace co-care and build a culture of support and compassion, where self-care is a shared responsibility and a collective pursuit.

Adopting a pet is an incredible way to live life with a compassionate attitude, towards all living things. There are so many health benefits when you adopt an animal. Emotionally, pets bring a sense of comfort, as they improve feelings of loneliness and isolation. They are the hug that brings warmth and love into your family. You will exercise more, as those big puppy eyes will want to go for a walk and in return, your cholesterol and blood sugar will drop! Adoption is the most rewarding act of kindness with the benefit of having a companion of a lifetime.

Summer is here, bringing sun, fun, and, for many women, stress. Despite countless flattering swimsuit styles, one-third of women find bathing suit season distressing. At Fit 4 Life, our Bikini Shape-Up program offers strength and cardio interval training to boost body confidence in just six weeks. Stop self-criticism and feel more attractive with less anxiety about your figure. Let Fit 4 Life help you achieve faster results and uncover your confidence. Plus, erase tan lines with our personalized tanning packages. Embrace the season with renewed confidence and a radiant glow!

As temperatures rise, it’s important to understand how to take care of your hearing aids. Beware of Heat! Avoid putting your hearing aids in places that attract heat quickly – like the glove compartment or console in your car. Stay Away from Moisture! Remember to take your hearing aids out before swimming or if you’re caught in the rain. Keep ‘em Clean! Warm, humid weather creates a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. You can use a soft, damp cloth to wipe away dirt and debris from your hearing aids. Follow these simple tips and get outside to enjoy the warm weather.

As young children we often idolized the most powerful and recognizable heroes we knew. We flew around like Superman, climbed like Spiderman and fought imaginary evil injustices like Batman. As young children, we knew what we wanted to be and poured our creativity into being just like our heroes in capes.

Now, as adults we can see those fictional heroes for what they were, a powerful representation of our very own protectors. Those protectors came in many forms, and one of those being our fathers. The men who worked tirelessly to support our needs and raise us to be the people who would do the same for our kids someday.

June is the month where we have a whole day to celebrate the men in our lives who have made that difference and helped shape us into the people we are today. Now, my father did not wear a cape, go by a secret identity, or fight crime. However, I know now that he has always been my hero. The man who was strong enough to fight off all my fears, yet gentle enough to wipe away all my tears.

There is a beautiful balance created by fathers and their role in our lives. Where our mother protects us from all that can harm, our fathers are teaching us to accept challenges, take risks and become independent thinkers. Fathers teach us how to be respectful and how to make certain we are respected.

Men’s mental health is a subject that has been popular, more now than ever before, yet still not talked about enough to remove some of the stigmas that society has created. Our fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons often suffer in silence when they are overwhelmed, depressed, suffering from anxiety or just experiencing any emotion outside the realm of what has been deemed “manly”. Men have shouldered the weight and pressure to always be in control and never show “weakness”. Be tough, be stoic, be strong, and never show vulnerability. To all our men, the heroes who don’t wear capes, we see you, we hear you, and we support you. Seek out comfort in someone you trust or a professional and know that there is no weakness in taking care of you, like you have taken care of us.

For all the men out there who have given so much to provide, guide and protect us, we share a heartfelt thank you and wish you the best Father’s Day.