Self-Love and Self-Care for Valentine's Day (...and Every Day)
Happy Valentine's Day, lovely ladies! Whether you're spending this holiday with a loved one or flying solo, we hope you take some time to show yourself some love and care. In today's blog post, we'll be sharing some of our favorite self love and self care tips for a fun and relaxing Valentine's Day. So pour yourself a glass of wine, put on your coziest clothes, and settle in for a little self-love. You deserve it!
What is self-love and why is it important?
Self love is an important way to show respect and care for yourself and your needs. It isn't always easy, but taking time to honor yourself is essential to living your best life. Whether it's setting aside designated self-care days or simply learning how to accept and appreciate everything that makes you who you are, self love can look different for everyone. Through self love, we learn how to take better care of our bodies, give ourselves the grace we deserve during difficult times, and remember that however we feel or leave whatever situation is up to us. Ultimately self love is about unconditional acceptance of self and how we nurture our mind, body and souls. Being intentional about self love helps us build our self-esteem, boost our moods, and leads to greater self acceptance.
What to do if you don't have a date for Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is about love, and if you don’t have a significant other to share it with you can be your own special someone. Flying solo on February 14th is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself and do something that you really enjoy. Here’s a few fun ideas to make this Valentine’s Day fun and fulfilling:
Make yourself a delicious dinner.
Cozy up on the couch and watch your favorite movie.
Go out for a spa treatment like a massage, facial, or mani-pedi.
Get dressed and take yourself out to dinner.
Write a love letter to yourself.
Hang out with girlfriends by going out to dinner or having a fun girls’ night in.
Go for a walk and get in tune with nature.
Catch up on sleep.
Work on your goals and map out what's important to you in life.
Do some gratitude journaling and document all the things you love about your life.
Get intentional about revamping your self-care routine.
Whatever you choose, on this day that’s typically associated with romance and love, don’t forget to show yourself some of those same feelings — no matter if that comes from within or without.
Self-Love Beyond Valentine's Day: How to make time for self-care in your busy schedule
All too often we find ourselves dealing with stress due to our intense schedules, whether it's from school, work, or personal commitments. Valentine's Day is the perfect time to rethink your self care routine and consider how you want to fill your own cup on a daily basis. To take care of your mental health and well-being, it’s essential to make time for self-care. These don’t have to be grand or expensive gestures; it can include something as simple as setting aside time to read a book or taking a nap. You could also choose to get moving by doing an activity like yoga or going for a walk. Additionally, taking the time to breathe deeply and meditate can help reduce anxiety and gain clarity. When developing your self-care routine, our recommendation is to take a three-pronged approach, considering what you need from a mind, body, and soul perspective.
Self care tips for your body
Tending to our physical health and assessing and addressing our body’s needs is a crucial part of self care. After all, when we’re not feeling well we focus our attention on getting better and don’t even have the capacity to focus on the other aspects of self-care. While there is no universal formula for body care, there are several tips that you can use to make sure that your physical self is getting the support that it needs.
Listen to what your body is telling you. When we tune in, our bodies speak to us. Be mindful and respectful of any physical cues your body sends you and tend to them as soon as they arise.
Have at least eight hours of sleep every night so you can rest fully and have enough energy for the day.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush toxins from your body and keep yourself hydrated.
Exercise regularly so that your body remains strong and fit, both mentally and physically.
Lastly, it's important to incorporate healthy eating habits into your lifestyle so you can nourish your body with nutrient-dense food sources such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, probiotics, etc. Taking time for your physical well-being is key to living a happy and healthy life!
Self-care tips for your mind
After we ensure that our bodies are in good shape we are able to address our mental well-being. With that in mind, here are some tips to ensure your mental well-being is at the forefront:
Firstly, practice kindness towards yourself. Whether you've had a bad day or not, treat yourself like you would your best friend. This means giving yourself grace for mistakes, speaking positively about yourself, and reframing your thinking to consider the positive possibilities.
Secondly, accept help when available from trusted people - sometimes it can take more strength to ask for help than to try doing it alone, be strong and reach out when you need support. You can’t do this alone and you weren’t meant to.
Third, set boundaries and standards for yourself that you uphold. When you get clear about what you want, what you will accept, and what doesn’t serve you, you protect your peace.
Lastly, allow yourself the time and space to enjoy the present moment - instead of worrying about what could have been or what may be ahead, enjoy what is happening now and focus on what you can control.
These three simple steps can bring peace and clarity into your life and help you look after your mind in the best way possible.
Self-care tips for your soul
When your mind and body are in alignment, you are ready to begin practicing self-care for your soul. Meditation and mindfulness are two core lifestyle practices to help you tend to your soul and connect with your higher self. Meditation helps to provide clarity of thought and improve concentration, while mindfulness cultivates a heightened awareness of the present. Additionally, engaging in activities that bring joy and strengthen the mind-body-soul connection such as yoga, gardening can help you feel more centered, open, and aware.
Key Takeaways
Self love is the key to a meaningful and fulfilling life. Taking time for yourself and engaging in meaningful activities that nurture your mind, body, and soul are important no matter how busy your schedule might be. Remember, self care isn't selfish–it's necessary. Take some extra moments this Valentine's Day to remember just how special you are and practice some extra acts of self-love – because at the end of the day, love starts from within.
