Oftentimes we associate Valentine’s Day with a romantic partner or a group of friends. But how about we focus the love we want to give others, on ourselves!? Don’t get me wrong, showing love, and kindness to others is important but we so often focus on other people in our lives that we forget about ourselves. That’s why I’m challenging you to be your own Valentine this year! Remember, that practicing self-care isn’t selfish. It’s an important part of living a happy, fulfilled life! Specifically, let’s focus on the four pillars of self care: physical, social, emotional and professional. This Friday, let’s focus on taking care of ourselves. Here are some of my favourite self-care tips and ideas.
Physical Self-Care
This encompasses any type of activity that you can do to enhance your overall physical well-being to contribute to better mental health. This can include things like: getting regular exercise, wearing clothes that make you feel good or getting your hair and make-up done, A lot of these activities can be deemed “superficial,” but that shouldn’t matter! If an activity allows you to maintain lower levels of stress go ahead and do it! This Valentine’s Day splurge and buy a new outfit, go get your nails done or take a yoga class!
Social Self-Care
Human beings are naturally social creatures. Even those who deem themselves “introverts” need to remember to tend to social self-care. However, we live such fast paced, busy lives that it is often difficult to make time for family and friends. Close connections are SO important to your well-being and to maintain these connections we need to nurture them! This Valentine’s Day take a social media break! Instead, make plans with friends (check out this awesome post by my girl Natalie full of fun Galentine’s date ideas!), call your parents, or go on a date with someone you love.
Emotional Self-Care
This is a form of self-care that most people, me included struggle with! Emotional self-care is any activity that allows you to connect, process and/or reflect on a broad range of emotions. Two things you can do this Valentine’s Day to practice emotional self-care are journaling and meditation. There are a ton of great meditation apps out there like Headspace and Calm which take you through guided meditations on everything from stress management, anxiety, and sleep. Journaling is another great idea as it is a creative outlet you can use to acknowledge how you are feeling. Also, who doesn’t love buying a new journal?! Check out Papyrus for some journals like this one, that literally look like ARTWORK.
Professional Self-Care
This is anything related to work life. It can involve practicing self-care at work or practicing habits that lend to a healthier work-life balance. This year Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday, so while at work this Friday focus on a few things. Take time to chat with your co-workers, this can serve as intermittent self care breaks throughout the day! Also, if you haven’t done so already, decorate your work-space or office to your liking.
Creating a positive, healthy work-space for yourself can go a long way in improving overall mood.
This Valentine’s Day say “I Love You” and celebrate yourself in addition to all the other important people in your life. You deserve it! Try some of my ideas above and create a little self-care pamper fest for yourself!
Happy Valentines Day xo.
