How to Maintain Self-Love All Year Long: Tips for Practicing Self-Care

Have you ever wondered how to keep the spirit of self-love alive all year long? Valentine's Day celebrates love and romance, and as February concludes, I encourage you to set a personal goal. Usually, on Valentine's Day, we concentrate on others and show affection to those close to us, but what about self-love? Embrace the essence of Valentine's Day and direct that energy towards yourself by practicing self-care year-round.

Ways to show self-care.

Treat your body as a sacred space.

This concept is simple and doesn't require a cost. What you put into (or on) your body is what you get out of it, and since we only get one body in this lifetime, we should treat it well, right?

• The food we eat.

• The words that are entering our ears and our mind.

• The air we breathe.

• What our skin comes in contact with (as the largest organ of the body).

Move your body.

Find what works best for you. Engaging in physical activity can also support your lymphatic system, enhance circulation, and help your body remove toxins. Below are a few ideas to help you find your fit.

• Enjoying a walk on a nice day.

• Lay down for gentle stretching.

• Attend a Power Yoga class at your nearby yoga studio if you are looking for a little more community and heat.

Stay hydrated.

There are a few ways to make sure you're getting ample hydration.

• One method is by taking your body weight cutting it in half and drinking that amount in ounces. Say, for example, you weigh 150 lbs.; that would mean your goal would be 75 ounces as your baseline. If you are doing activities that cause fluid loss, such as sweating, you will need to increase your intake. Similarly, if you are drinking diuretics like coffee, tea, or alcohol, you will need to compensate for that as well.

• If the first method is too rigid, aim for a lemonade color in your urine.

Skip the sports drinks and opt for natural ways to incorporate electrolytes into your water:

• Lemon (other citruses are great sources of electrolytes as well)

  • Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium

• Cucumber

  • Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium

• Watermelon

  • Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus

• Coconut Water

  • Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Chloride

I know we've been taught that sodium is bad, but please keep in mind that everything should be in moderation. It is an essential nutrient for our bodies and our bodies do need sodium, but again everything in moderation.

Manage Stress.

Stress is subjective; everyone meets it, but our response to it can be transformative. Keep in mind, we must replenish ourselves before we can help others.

• Make sure you are getting enough sleep. Now as I say this, I know stress can also affect our sleep. If you can't sleep because of stress keep reading!

• Eat good quality food and make sure you’re getting in your fruits and vegetables. The food we eat affects our neurotransmitters, which in turn affects how we feel.

• Exercise can also improve stress management. Think of the concept of 'walking it off.

• Set realistic expectations for yourself so that you aren't setting yourself up for failure. I'm all for setting the bar high but just don't set it too high or you will disappoint yourself which can cause stress.

• Take a pause. This can be for a moment, or as long as it needs.

• Supplementation. Sometimes we may need added support, and this is when supplementation may come in handy. However, please talk look to your doctors and wellness practitioner because not all supplements are created equal, and some may not be the right fit for you. For my clients, I use Bioenergetic Testing to find which supplements resonate with their body.

These tips are interconnected and support each other.

Sleep.

Sleep guidelines vary by age: school-age children should get 9-12 hours daily, teenagers need 8-10 hours, adults aged 18-64 should aim for 7-9 hours, and those 65 and older require 7-8 hours per day.

Are you reaching your sleep goals? If not, here are tools that might help to get you there.

• If stress is the root of your sleep issues, see above!

• I find Progressive Muscle Relaxation particularly helpful when I struggle to fall asleep. You tense your muscles one by one, beginning with the facial muscles at the head, and gradually move down to the toes. The process of building up tension and then releasing it aids in relaxing the body. Another way is gentle stretching before bed.

• In my clients that are having issues with sleeping, especially those that are post-menopausal, hormones may play a factor. I would look at my clients’ Bioenergetic Testing results to see where we could bring energetic balance.

• Avoid blue light before bed. Opt for reading a book instead of your phone, computer, or TV, however, if you do opt for those because reading just isn't your thing, use Blue Blocker Glasses or use Blue Light filters on phones, computers, and TV's.

• Avoid caffeine past 3pm.

• Take a warm bath.

• Deep breathing

• Listen to calming music.

Be Here, now.

Sometimes we can get lost in the hustle and bustle of our lives and the world but take a moment to come into the present moment and just be. My favorite mindfulness meditation that brings me back is the meditation of the senses.

• What do you taste? If you're on a walk, it might be the crisp fresh air.

• What do you smell? Maybe you’re at the beach and it's the moist salty air.

• What do you hear? The wind blowing the leaves or the waves crashing.

• What do you feel? This could be physically or even emotionally, just reflect on what you are feeling in this moment.

Meaningful Connection.

Although we're more connected than ever in today's world, we find ourselves more disconnected than ever before. Our lives become hectic, and we lose ourselves in them.

• Take time to go on a coffee date, out to lunch, or hike with a friend.

• Take a moment to call a friend you haven't reached out to in some time.

• Practice active listening (put the phone out of sight).

• If you’re looking to make new friends, join a group or club.

Practice Spirituality.

In examining the Blue Zones, a shared element associated with longevity is believing in something greater than oneself. We don't have to all agree what the 'Spirit' in Spirituality and there are different ways to practice it as well. I'll provide a few examples but find what resonates with you.

• Prayer

• Meditation

• Connecting with Nature

• Acts of service

Complementary and Alternative Therapies.

There are endless CAM Therapies out there, again it's finding the right ones that resonate with you. I encourage you to try one that maybe you haven't previously tried.

• Acupuncture

• Chiropractic

• Craniosacral Therapy

• Detox footbath

• Massage Therapy

• Mental Health Therapies

  • Talk Therapy

  • EMDR

  • Hypnosis

• Osteopathic Manipulation

• Reflexology

• Reiki

Love Yourself.

Gaze at your reflection in the mirror. If you meet negative thoughts, change your perspective. Regardless of whether you believe your words, practice seeing yourself and offering compliments to yourself and your body. Express gratitude to your body for everything it does and enables you to do. Employ positive affirmations as you make eye contact with yourself and smile. This is a practice; the more you engage in it, the better you will get at it.

• Start a gratitude journal.

Let's make this a community of support by set a personal goal and add it to the comment section. Pick just one to start and set a timeline around when you are going to do it. Then, reflect on how the experience. Minor changes over time are the most sustainable, making them the most impactful. I wish you the best of luck on your self-care journey! If you are looking for a personalized action plan, check out our in-person or remote options and fill out the Service Request Form.

*All content and information on this site is not medical advice and is for intended for general informational and educational purposes only.