Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!
Valentine's Day is all about celebrating love, however this is something we should be celebrating every day! One type of love that seems to be neglected at times is ”self love”. Often this is looked down upon as “vain” or “selfish”, however loving you could be the healthiest thing you could do for yourself and others. You have to love yourself to be fully capable of loving others to your best ability. You also need to prioritize yourself every now and then, so you can be healthy enough to be around for your loved ones long term. Self hatred often leads to: anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders, social isolation, obesity, chronic health issues, infidelity, divorce, etc. Therefore, you can be a strong role model for others around you just by simply loving yourself. Remember, we are all made in HIS image, therefore we are beautiful and deserve to be loved.
Today and every day, I encourage you to celebrate love for others, but don’t forget about the importance of practicing self love too! Now, this can most definitely be easier said than done since a lot of us tend to be our own worst critics, and to be honest this is something I'm continuously working on. However, If you are also interested in practicing more of this, here are some suggestions to consider:
exercise (to show appreciation for your body)
stretch (to feel less sore and more limber)
meditate (to show love for your mind and spirituality)
daily affirmations (to remind yourself of your strengths)
get outdoors (to enjoy some fresh air and beautiful scenery)
take a hot bubble bath (to allow yourself to relax)
eat nutritious foods (to fuel your body so that you can feel your best and have the energy you need to make the most out of your day)
practice gratitude (because you deserve to be happy)
get dressed up (to feel confident and beautiful)
dance (to celebrate how you can move your body)
smile (because you deserve to love life)
pray (because you’re worthy of Him, and He wants you to love yourself as He does)
sip on your favorite cocktail/ mocktail and enjoy your favorite dish (because it’s okay to let loose, relax, and have a little fun in life every now and then )
read and write (to celebrate your wisdom)
do a face mask (to relax and celebrate feeling comfortable in your own skin)
get a massage (to allow yourself to slow down, and to show you care for your body)
get your nails done (to pamper yourself and have some me time)
carve out time for your favorite hobby ( because you deserve to be fulfilled)
buy a gift for yourself (to reward yourself for all the wonderful things you do)
watch your favorite show or movie (to give your mind a break from your daily to do list)
listen to your favorite music (to feel more joyful)
Don't compare yourself to others (because you are perfect just the way you are)
laugh more (to enjoy your life and to not take it so seriously all the time)
journal (to support you with your routine, to feel more accomplished and prepared for the week ahead, and to channel some creative energy)
cook at home (to save some money and to have fun in the kitchen)
make your bed (because it’s going to feel so good to get in a bed at night when the sheets aren’t all over the place, and it can make you feel accomplished first thing in the morning)
Do something kind for others (because you deserve to feel helpful)
These are just a handful of the many ways you can practice self love. One important thing to remember is to do these things for YOU, and not for anyone else. If you are trying to be the healthiest, fittest, skinniest, smartest, most talented, most athletic, richest, most beautiful person out there, you will never win, but if you are working to be the best version of yourself you will always succeed! I encourage you to consider digging a little deeper and getting more curious about why you are doing what you are doing. For example, if you are exercising because you hate the way you look, it’s going to feel more like a chore, therefore it will be more challenging to stay consistent long term. However, if you are exercising for reasons that are truly important such as: having more energy, feeling happier, being able to keep up with your kids, to be around for your grandkids, feeling more confident, preventing serious health issues, having a better quality of life, etc., you are most likely going to be more successful in the long run. You can see examples of this in all of these suggested self love practices listed above. Each and every one of these focuses on a positive versus a negative, which will most likely support you with making this a more enjoyable and sustainable lifestyle experience.
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you find these tips valuable, and have a happy and healthy Valentine's Day!
