The relationship between self-care, positive family environment, and human wellbeing

•A positive environment (PE) contributes to the satisfaction of human needs.•A PE instigates the conservation of the socio-physical environment.•The practice of sustainable behaviors aids in the maintenance of a PE.•Adequate housing conditions and harmonious relationships promote human well- being. Self-care behaviors are fundamental for a healthy lifestyle. These behaviors can lead to improved physical and psychological health, which can in turn lead to individual and social wellbeing. The present paper proposes self-care as a set of behaviors that help sustain a positive environment (i.e., a sustainable behavior) wherein individuals who take care of themselves can aid in maintaining the positivity of the environment. Thus, taking care of oneself, others and the natural environment may result in wellbeing and environmental quality. This study aimed to investigate the role of self-care as part of a network of behaviors that help to maintain a positive family environment and wellbeing. A sample of Mexicans participated (n = 290). Results indicated that a positive family environment influences and is influenced by wellbeing and by sustainable behaviors that include self-care, caring for others and caring for the natural environment. These findings provide evidence of the inclusion of self-care as part of sustainable behaviors within a positive family environment.