Embrace Self Love
Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or somewhere in between, focusing on your mental health and well-being is essential. This Valentine’s Day, let’s take a moment to honor and care for ourselves, because you deserve love, respect, and kindness—especially from yourself.
Why Self Love Matters for Your Mental Health
Self love is about cultivating a deep sense of self worth, acceptance and compassion- flaws, strengths and all! It’s about prioritizing your time and energy to do the routines, activities and coping skills to be your best self. To love yourself enough to know that your needs are not a burden and deserve the time of day, no matter your job, family, financial, mental or social responsibilities. When we practice self love, we honor our mental health by:
Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Practicing self love allows us to embrace coping skills and therefore alleviate negative emotions and establish healthy routines.
Enhancing Emotional Resilience: Self love helps you bounce back from setbacks and challenges more quickly, allowing improved emotional management.
Encouraging Healthier Relationships: It might sound cheesy, but it’s true- “we accept the love we think we deserve” and if we don’t love ourselves in a healthy manner it can influence connection with unhealthy surrounding relationships.
Increasing Self Compassion: Rather than being our biggest critic, we can learn to become our biggest cheerleader. Self love can help us speak internally with a kinder tone.
How to Put Self Love Into Practice This Valentine’s Day
Be Mindful: Practice daily mindfulness, see 5 Hacks for Fitting Meditation Into Your Day for more tips
Move Your Body: Show your body some love through movement; a kitchen dance party, yoga class, a run or walk… movement is loving.
Set Boundaries: Make space for social interactions that fuel you, rather than deplete you. Take a hard pass on making plans to simply avoid being alone.
Unplug from Social Media: If you’re comparing yourself to your friends/family relationships or feel those jewelry ads are a reminder that no one is buying you a kiss from Kay’s, then don’t look at it. You don’t have to fall victim to the doom scroll- it’s voluntary.
Forgive Yourself: Let go of what is not serving you. Forgive your younger self for mistakes while learning how you want to lead your life. Step into a new you today by letting go of yesterday. You could even write yourself a love letter to acknowledge your accomplishments, strengths and affirm yourself.
Get Plenty of Sleep: Remember your zzz’s. Going back to the basics by letting yourself rest and recharge is my first coping skill recommendation when skill building with clients.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about the cards, chocolates and roses- although nice. It’s about celebrating the love in your life. So, even if your relationship status is complicated, your self love practice doesn’t have to be!
Get Inspired,
Lauren
