3 Ways To Love Yourself This Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days for giving a gift to your loved one, going for a special meal, or showing your love in a unique way. 

But your spouse or partner doesn’t have to be your only recipient. Why not give yourself a little bit of love on Valentine’s Day? After all, we should love ourselves first, so here are 3 ways to love yourself this Valentine’s Day.

1. Celebrate a Me Day

If possible, book a day off work and unplug for technology and take a day to do something you love. 

For many, that’s a day at the spa, getting pampered. Or maybe it’s a hike in the wilderness, where you can access the health benefits to be gained by being outdoors. It might be curling up with a book you have been dying to read. Or maybe it’s simply “being.” Allow yourself to sit and be, maybe even get bored, before having a catnap in the afternoon and ending the day feeling rejuvenated.

2. Start a New Habit of Self Love

It’s easy to get caught up in looking after others and forget to look after yourself. It’s also easy to get caught up in a stressful schedule and not realize the impact it’s having on your life. 

Try a new habit, starting on Valentine’s Day, that can improve your mental health and make you feel better about yourself. 

One idea is to keep a journal. The simple act of writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you understand them more clearly, as well as help with stress, depression, and anxiety, and generally improve your mental health.

Another idea is to recite positive affirmations. Self-affirmation is the process of “identifying and focusing on one's most important values.” Studies are showing that it can protect against the damaging effects of stress, for instance on problem-solving performance.

Having trouble coming up with affirmations? Try our Self-Love Affirmation Cards, and keep them handy for those times you want a little self love. 

3. Take Even an Hour to Yourself

Maybe it isn’t possible to take an entire day off, due to work or family commitments. A busy schedule doesn’t always take a holiday in the middle of the week. 

If possible, take even one hour to be alone, doing an activity you enjoy or something that relaxes and invigorates you.

A simple yoga routine, for instance, can bring calm and mindfulness, among other health benefits, to an otherwise busy life. Besides enhancing your fitness level, researchers are also studying if yoga can help people with depression, arthritis, and even survival from cancer. 

A few minutes spent meditating is another way to love yourself if you don’t have a lot of time. Try our meditation collection to help you set an intention and settle down for a moment of peace. The Self Love Candle, for instance, can help you sink into a deeply relaxing state.