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Americans are feeling the strain of the economy, as reflected in CivicScience’s latest consumer index readings. Economic sentiment saw its sharpest decline in over a year, consumer financial health experienced its steepest drop in nearly three years, and emotional well-being reached its lowest point in three years. In response, CivicScience examined how and to what extent Americans prioritize self-care today.
1. More Americans are practicing self-care today than they did five years ago, but they wish they could practice it more than they currently do.
Ongoing data show that 64% of Americans engage in self-care to some extent, up from 57% five years ago. Among them, 28% say they practice self-care ‘very often,’ while another 36% practice it but wish they had more time for it. This marks a shift from 2020, when a higher percentage (31%) reported practicing self-care ‘often,’ and fewer (26%) wished they could do it more. Notably, the share of Americans who don’t currently practice self-care but want to has risen five percentage points since 2020, reaching 12%. Meanwhile, 23% say they either don’t have time for self-care or that it doesn’t apply to them, down from 36% in 2020.
Adults under 45, men (slightly), and Americans in high-income households ($100K+) are most likely to practice self-care to some extent.
Join the Conversation: How often do you practice self-care?
2. How are Americans practicing self-care today?
From spending time with family to practicing meditation, Americans are embracing a variety of self-care habits. According to CivicScience data, the most common forms of self-care include watching TV or movies, gaming, and reading (72%), followed by getting more sleep (70%) and listening to music (65%).
3. Practicing self-care often goes hand in hand with splurging.
Those who practice self-care are also more likely to splurge on themselves. Over three-quarters of those who practice self-care (78%) say they splurge on themselves compared to 61% of those who don’t practice self-care. They are most likely to splurge on expensive meals and a clothing shopping spree.
4. Why does self-care matter?
Self-care plays a key role in Americans’ overall well-being. Additional data show that those who prioritize self-care are more likely to report higher levels of happiness, greater job satisfaction, better sleep, and a stronger likelihood to consider themselves ‘very healthy.’
Answer our Poll: Do you personally believe that taking time for self-care is important?
As more Americans embrace self-care, its impact on overall well-being and spending habits becomes increasingly clear. Those who already practice it make for a demographic to watch. These consumers report higher happiness, better sleep, greater job satisfaction, and a greater likeliness to indulge in personal splurges. As economic pressures persist, understanding how Americans balance self-care with financial constraints will be key in shaping wellness trends moving forward.
