How to love yourself this Valentine’s Day
Why you should prioritise self-care - The benefits and how to implement daily
Self-love is the foundation for a healthy, fulfilling life. When you truly appreciate and care for yourself, it positively impacts your mental and physical health, as well as your relationships, career, and overall well-being.
Time for you is, unfortunately, often the last thing to be prioritised, fitting it in around all other responsibilities and people. But, we can’t give the best of ourselves if we’re not giving the best to ourselves.
I wanted to share some insight into the importance of self-care; why it’s essential and which areas you should focus on.
Self-Love and Mental Health
Reduces Anxiety and Depression – When you practice self-compassion, you are less likely to engage in negative self-talk, which can fuel anxiety and depression. Allow all of your emotions, and address them with understanding instead of judgement. If you’re feeling something, it’s valid.
Boosts Self-Esteem – Accepting yourself as you are helps you develop confidence and inner peace. Allowing all your quirks and uniqueness, celebrating them even, leaves you not only more aligned with who you are, but comfortable with what you bring to the table.
Encourages a Growth Mindset – Instead of being critical, self-love helps you embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. You can’t grow without making mistakes and knowing this allows you to take on challenges with a more positive, inquisitive mindset.
Improves Emotional Resilience
You bounce back more easily from setbacks because you treat yourself with kindness and understanding rather than blame. You’re only human.
Self-Love and Physical Health
Reduces Stress and Lowers Cortisol Levels – Chronic stress weakens the immune system and leads to inflammation, but self-love promotes relaxation and balance. Making space for self-love enables your body to rebalance when it needs to.
Encourages Healthy Habits – When you love yourself, you make choices that nurture your body, such as eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
Supports Healing and Recovery – A positive mindset enhances the body’s ability to heal and fight illness, but we can’t feel our most positive if we’re physically stressed, tired and/or burnt out.
Prevents Self-Sabotaging Behaviours – You are less likely to engage in unhealthy habits like emotional eating, substance abuse, or overworking yourself if you’ve given yourself the care and attention you need.
How Self-Love Improves Relationships
Sets Healthy Boundaries – When you value yourself, you learn to say “no” to toxic people and situations.
Prevents People-Pleasing – Loving yourself means prioritising your well-being instead of seeking validation from others; a great place to start when making space for self-care!
Enhances Communication – When you are secure in yourself, you communicate openly and honestly. You are also more accepting of how others may be feeling, and how their own boundaries aren’t to be taken personally.
Attracts Healthy Connections
You surround yourself with people who respect and appreciate you, rather than those who drain your energy. It soon becomes apparent what the difference is.
Self-Love and Success at Work
Increases Motivation & Productivity – When you believe in yourself, you are more driven to pursue your goals.
Reduces Burnout – You recognise when you need rest and don’t push yourself to the point of exhaustion.
Improves Decision-Making – You trust yourself more and make choices aligned with your values, as opposed to what others may want you to do.
Boosts Professional Relationships – When you feel confident and value your own time, you command respect from colleagues and superiors.
Here’s how you can cultivate Self-Love in daily life
Practice Self-Compassion – Be kind to yourself, especially when things don’t go as planned. Make a point of speaking kindly to yourself and stop negative talk in its tracks.
Develop a Healthy Routine – Prioritise sleep, movement, and nutrition. These elements should be the basis for your overall well-being, rather than a reactionary afterthought when you start to feel run down or burnt out.
Surround Yourself with Positivity – Limit interactions with negative people, both in-person and online. You have the power to choose your community, so choose well.
Engage in Activities That Bring you Joy – Hobbies, nature, and self-care routines boost well-being. Joy is everywhere if you just take the time to look for it and appreciate the little things. Focus less on monetary items and more on being present in the moment with those around you. Take a moment to really think about the activities that you love, perhaps what you’ve always done in your free time isn’t cutting it anymore…
Seek Help When Needed
Therapy, coaching, or support groups can help build self-love. It can be difficult to see the whole picture when you’re in the middle of it, but speaking to someone else, someone impartial ideally, gives you the full perspective.
When you treat yourself with kindness, respect, and care, everything in your life improves, from your mental and physical health to your relationships and career. Self-love allows you to live authentically, embrace challenges, and create a life filled with joy and purpose.
If you’re struggling to prioritise yourself throughout daily life, working with a health coach can help highlight the areas to focus on, one at a time. Making sustainable changes takes time, patience and forethought. Book your FREE Discovery Call here.
Sandra
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