We’re often taught the importance of self-care and ways that we can incorporate the practice into our lives. It can have enormous benefits for our self-esteem, health, and mental wellbeing. Loving yourself isn’t something that comes easy or happens overnight, though. There are also times when we struggle to love ourselves or simply feel disconnected. When it comes to loving yourself, there are many different layers to explore and different ways to go about it. Like any relationship, your relationship with yourself must be nourished and given attention in order to thrive. To help you connect with yourself, we’ve put together the ultimate steps to self-love.
Nourish and Take Care Of Your Body
The physical element of loving yourself can be the most challenging part. Learning to appreciate and love our bodies just the way they are is super important.
- Eat right. Start with the basics, like making sure you eat wholesome, nourishing foods that are not only good for your gut and digestive system, but that also benefit your hair, skin, and nails.
- Hydrate. Drink plenty of water. Proper hydration will help with weight management, energy, skin texture, and pretty much everything else. Our bodies are mostly water, after all.
- Get your beauty sleep. Make sure you get enough rest to recharge your batteries.
- Work up a sweat. Taking walks daily and regularly working out is a great way to keep your body feeling healthy and happy.
Once you commit to a healthy routine, your body will be in its best shape, helping you to appreciate and love it even more.
Be Kind To Yourself and Your Thoughts
Understanding your emotions and thought processes is key to accepting them and not letting them negatively control you.
- Don’t judge until you process. Know that your feelings are valid, and your mind is powerful. When you feel sad or upset, don’t close that off. Instead, sit with yourself and ask why you feel that way.
- Take control. You’re the only person who can control how you feel. Don’t give someone else that power over you.
- Exercise positivity. You can train your brain to think more positively. Try writing down three things that you’re grateful for at the beginning or end of each day.
- Care about you. Make decisions that are good for you. Start to treat your self, your mind, your body as if it’s your friend.
You wouldn’t mistreat or put a friend down, so why do it to yourself?