Expressing love is never confined to a day or a week. However, Valentine week is a reminder that we all should express and celebrate love. Whether you celebrate the love week with someone or you decide to celebrate with yourself, it is important to remember that self-love forms the foundation of your relationships with others. On the ‘Promise day’ of the Valentine week, promise yourself ‘Self-love’ and treat yourself with love, kindness, and affection the same way you love others. In this health article we emphasize on why self-love is important and how to practice self-love.

Why is self-love important?

Self-love is a promise that you make to yourself to live in alignment with your values and to make healthy choices a part of your everyday decisions. It’s about nourishing yourself and it involves taking care of your physical and mental health, having an appreciation and respect for yourself. It is essential to build self-worth, self-respect, and confidence and deepen the love for self, which in turn helps you deepen the love you share with others. 

How to practice self-love?

Make your mental health and wellbeing a priority

Mental health and wellbeing are directly correlated to your physical health. They are also important for your emotions and decision making. You can prioritize your mental health and wellbeing by eating healthy, sleeping well, having a positive attitude and approach to life, and exercising regularly. It is also important to express more about how you feel and if you are struggling with mental health issues, consider professional help.

Acknowledge and accept your imperfections

Acknowledging and accepting your imperfections is a part of developing self-compassion. You can practice self compassion through:

  • Mindfulness - viewing and approaching your mistakes mindfully and having perspective and not over-identifying with your failures.
  • Being kind to yourself - be kind to self rather than viewing your actions with kindness rather than shame, criticism, and judgment.

Forgive Yourself

Avoid self-loathing and ruminating about your past mistakes and regrets. Forgive yourself. Forgiving yourself for your past mistakes lets you find ways to heal. Do not blame yourself for things that were probably out of your control. Studies state that forgiveness reduces stress and a decrease in mental health symptoms.

Develop positive thinking

Avoid negative thinking and cultivate the habit of having a positive outlook as an approach to life. Negative thoughts such as helplessness and hopelessness can create chronic stress. Stress upsets your body’s hormonal balance and affects your brain functioning. 

Chronic stress may also contribute to health conditions such as hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes, and other digestive problems. Moreover, stress can trigger early-aging and decrease your lifespan. On the contrary, positive thinking can boost your self-esteem and reduce your social fears.

Surround Yourself With Supportive, Loving people

It is important to have healthy social support. Do not entertain one-way friendships and relationships. They could be toxic and draining. Surround yourself with healthy relations, interactions and with people who believe in you and support you. Invest your time, energy, and care into relationships that support, energize, and restore you.

Find yourself

Analyzing your actions, thoughts, emotions, getting self-awareness are all important factors of finding yourself. Learn to converse with your own self in the moments of your solitude. Find a calm and silent place, sit in silence and look into yourself. Alternatively you can even meditate.

Set Boundaries

Set boundaries, learn to say ‘no' at work or to your family and refuse doing things you don’t feel like doing.

Disclaimer: The content (video/text) presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.