Self-love is the building block of our health, our relationships and our happiness. We can’t pour from an empty cup.
Prioritizing yourself is an essential form of self-love because it demonstrates to others that you (and your time and energy) deserve and expect respect. This means putting your needs before the needs of others. It’s not selfish but an act of self-love.
Although we are often taught from a young age to put our needs last (this is especially true for us women, stay at home mums, housewife’s), forgetting about our own needs and just helping others isn’t really helping anyone, least of all ourselves. Love comes from within. It comes in the way we talk to ourselves, take care of ourselves and treat ourselves.
My training with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition helped me realize that health is not just about what we’re eating or how much exercise we’re getting. Emotional and mental well-being are just as important as physical health. Like anything in life, we develop a sense of love and appreciation for the things we work hardest for. By investing time and energy in ourselves, we can experience true joy, nourishment and fulfilment.
Establishing healthy habits is important for loving yourself, but healthy habits need to involve more than just a morning routine or eating beneficial foods a few times a week. Making small changes throughout the day, every day, can add up over time. Here are some ideas to consider when putting yourself first:
-Talk nicely to yourself!
-Declutter your space and donate clothes you no longer wear
-Sign up for an exercise class
-Read a book
-Meal prep one or two days per week
-Take a hot bath. Adding Epsom salts and/or essential oils can be even more soothing.
-Buy yourself flowers every now and then
-Go for a walk in nature
-Try a new hobby
-Taking a cooking class
Pamper yourself. Back rubs, pedicures, facials, and scalp massages are all great options. If you don’t have the budget to go out for these services, that’s okay! There are plenty of DIY at-home treatments you can indulge in.
There’s no “final destination” in loving yourself – it’s truly a lifelong commitment that will ebb and flow as you go through the different phases of life. When you learn to like and care for yourself first, it increases your happiness, and you automatically want to spread that feeling to others.
