Overview
Self care has its roots in ancient civilizations, with practices such as meditation and yoga originating in India over 5,000 years ago. The concept of self care gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s with the feminist movement, which emphasized the importance of women's health and wellness. Today, self care is a global phenomenon, with a projected market size of $1.5 trillion by 2025, according to a report by Grand View Research. Despite its popularity, self care is often criticized for being commercialized and inaccessible to marginalized communities. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines self care as the ability of individuals to promote health, prevent disease, and cope with illness, highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to self care. As the self care movement continues to evolve, it is essential to address the controversy surrounding its cultural appropriation and lack of diversity, with 75% of self care products being marketed towards white, middle-class women, as reported by a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research.