Many people often think that “loving yourself” is hard to do. This is maybe because we associate love when we express it to others, such as our family, friends, and partners. However, loving yourself is practically simple and fulfilling; you just don’t realize it right away.
For starters, you already have a canvas to work on when celebrating self-love, and that is yourself. You don’t have to look for someone or something else, and all you have to do is define how you see yourself being loved, and do exactly those things.
If you are puzzled on how to start loving yourself, here are 7 definitely simple ways to love yourself more:
* Get regular hours of sleepWhen you love someone, you do what it takes to give them the comfort they need after a long tiring day. You may want to do the same for yourself too, and that’s by getting regular hours of sleep.
Sleeping allows your mind, body, and soul to rest and relax, not to mention build back the energy they lost after facing all sorts of stress. Sleep likewise helps rejuvenate your cells and stabilize your mood, so when you become alert and enthusiastic upon waking up.
Resting regularly is your way of caring for your mind, body, and spirit, and you don’t deprive yourself of that when celebrating self-love.
* Follow a balanced and healthy dietLove means caring, and you can exercise this by making sure that you are at the pink of health. Hence, a great and easy way to exercise love is by following a balanced and healthy diet.
A balanced diet ensures that you are getting all the nutrition you need to stay strong, healthy, and protected against illnesses. It also prepares you to live longer and become capable of facing the future because, as we age, our physical and mental faculties also degenerate.
A healthy diet prevents faster wear and tear, and yes, it also keeps you looking young and vibrant as you grow older.
* Go on a runMost of us overlook this but running is a great way to show self-love. Among many things, you are doing yourself favors whenever you go out for a walk, jog, or hike.
First, your mind has to break away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, and it needs to be exposed in a different environment. Second, your lungs need to breathe some fresh air so they’d feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Your skin also has to feel the sunshine and the dew to be alive again. Also, your muscles have to stretch and stride for them not to weaken and atrophy. Going on a run hits all these needs, and at the end of your laps, you’d not only feel fulfilled-you also feel more excited and confident to what lies ahead.
* Pamper yourself regularlyEvery living thing gets tired and stressed, and they need to be pampered every once in a while. You are no exception to that. So, it would be best if you set aside time to pamper yourself just to get away from everyone and everything that wears you down.
Go for a massage or a spa treatment. Have a facial, get a new haircut, dye your hair, or treat yourself to a refreshing cup of tea. These things allow you to unwind even without going far away, and they help you see a better version of yourself, i.e. the person you’ve always aspired of becoming. The happy, carefree, and contented person. You may not be in this state all the time, but by pampering yourself, you become nearer to this ideal.
* TravelThey often say that traveling is the cure to every problem. It is a form of escape from reality, a means to unwind, a way to break free from everyone and everything that consumes your mind, body, and spirit. So yes, give in to temptation when the opportunity kicks in: pack your bags and explore the world.
Travelling (especially when you are going solo), allows you to discover more about yourself. When you are outside of your comfort zone, you learn to be resourceful, cautious, and at the same time confident. You also learn to be creative in dealing with various situations, and do things you never thought you are capable of doing. By giving yourself the chance to be vulnerable (and learn to rise up from it), you are exercising love, as you want yourself to be strong and brave when faced with the challenges the world has to offer.
* MeditateA lot of us feel toxic all the time, and while we find ways to unwind by hanging out with friends, doing vices such as smoking, drinking, or eating a lot, these are not forms of self-love. Nor do they help in getting rid of the toxicity we are feeling.
Hence, you may want to include time to pray or meditate. This quiet time allows you to connect to your senses and feel through your emotions. Meditating also serves as your opportunity to talk to God and hear his guidance, and as well as your heart and its ramblings.
By meditating you can let go of the pains, grudges, qualms, and doubts that you’ve been holding on to for quite some time. Once you have let them go, the lighter and happier, not to mention healthier you’d feel.
* Exercise disciplineLastly, you may also want to keep everything you do in moderation. Practice discipline on what you eat, your exercise regimen, your pampering, and even the activities you do at work. Doing so allows you to create more balance in your daily life. It also helps you come up with better-sounding decisions, as you incorporate both what your heart and mind when making choices. By not giving or taking too much, you are able to live with love and fulfillment.