In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, prioritising responsibilities over our own health and well-being. However, one fundamental aspect that often gets overlooked is self-love. Cultivating a healthy sense of self-love is not just a feel-good concept; it has implications for our mental, emotional, and physical health. Here’s why embracing self-love is crucial for a healthier, happier life.
Why is it so important?
By making an effort to take care of ourselves first (starting with our health), we are ensuring that we have the capacity to care for others.
Self-love is essential for self-care. It is as important as our morning wake up routine. It’s about taking time to recharge so we have the energy to care for ourselves and others. It means taking on the responsibility to look after ourselves starting with our health rather than placing hope on others, or outside circumstances, to do it for us.
Set healthy boundaries
Self-love is about taking care of our own needs too. We can’t pour love over others if our cup is empty. And the way to fill it up is to look after ourselves, commit to improving our health from the inside, out.
Interrupt negative thoughts
It’s easy to love our beautiful aspects. But embracing the less than pleasant parts is more difficult. We may hide them from others due to shame or fear of judgement, but we can’t hide them from ourselves.
Self-love starts with considering all parts of our being with honesty. If there is any area we are not proud of, that we can improve? Do we have the tools? The courage? What would the steps look like in our plan to achieve this goal? If not, can we at least accept it? Or change our negative thoughts about it to something positive?
If we tell ourselves a thought long enough it is sometimes said to become a reality. That’s true whether the thought is positive or negative.
When we practice self-compassion, we’re less likely to engage in negative self-talk or harsh criticism. Try limiting negative self talk with positive messages and start your day with compliments like:
- I succeeded today because I.....
- I am great today because.....
- I learned from yesterday because....
- I will achieve my goal today because.....
By treating ourselves with kindness, we create a safe space for our emotions, allowing us to process feelings without judgment. This emotional resilience is key to navigating life’s challenges.
Be forgiving
We all make mistakes. This is a normal part of life. Embrace your past. Forgive yourself. You did the best you could with the information you knew and the circumstances you were in, including your emotional and mental state at the time. Life is full of learning opportunities. As we learn we grow. Take each day as a new opportunity to create change.
Be grateful
Celebrate the small wins along the way. Try and see the beauty in the simplest things. Discovering some area of our lives to be grateful for, even when we are experiencing tough times, enhances how we cope. Let’s develop and enjoy our overall ability to be positive, take care of, and love ourselves unconditionally.
Incorporating self-love into our daily lives is essential for overall health. So, take a moment to acknowledge your worth, practice kindness towards yourself, and remember: self-love is not selfish; it’s a vital component of a healthy, happy life. Embrace it, because you are worth it.