Love Yourself
It is crucial to Love Your Body and Treat it Well! Look at it, Except it and Honor it! Now, Don't Wait!
Loving Your Body
Loving your body includes dressing and caring for it. Take time out to look at, except and honor this amazing thing called you. For example: Whether you are going out or staying in, wrap yourself in colors and fabrics that bring out your smile and wonder. Of course, we know that loving yourself is a state of mind and involves contentment, which absolutely has nothing to do with the things one possesses. But some simple tweaks and small choices can be a game changer!
Surround Yourself With Joy
Where do you spend most of your time? Is it at your desk at work? Is it in your car? When you look around at your surroundings, do you feel a burst of joy? Because if not, the next step is to create an environment you absolutely love. My favorite things to surround myself with are things like fresh flowers, positive messages, pictures of people I love, essential oils and my favorite books. The energy is amazing when you are in a comfortable environment full of the things that bring you joy. Practicing self-love involves being able to smile by just looking at what surrounds you and feeling comfortable in Your environment!
Ask For Help
It may be hard to be vulnerable and ask for help, but one of the best ways to get through a tough time is getting the support you need. It’s okay to not be okay. Therefore, you do not have to go through it alone. Asking for the support you need is a gift that you can give to yourself.
Find Your Place of Delight
We should all have that one place we can go to and feel blissful. Why is this important? Because we all deserve a little relaxation. So take a step back and have a bit of fun. Do something you love. Turn on some music and do a little dancing. Just take some time out to watch the rain. For example, when I need space to rejuvenate my soul, I put on a pair of silk or statin PJ’s and make myself a hot cup of tea. It is something about sitting down, surrounded by the positive energy and sipping on a cup of herbal tea that calms my soul. Just feeling the warmth of the cup in my hand calms me.
It is easy to get caught up in a busy schedule. The world moves quickly. You can move through life without taking time to enjoy the things you are doing as you are doing them. Just adding tea to your routine can slow you down, if you allow it. Tea is a slow indulging beverage. It is meant to be sipped, sampled, and enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Therefore when you sip tea with caffeine, view it like a slow wade into the morning, if it is herbal or decaffeinated enjoy it like a gentle breeze into the evening.
Whether you go for a run, or just take time out to breath, don't take for granted the benefit of this sacred time. Additionally just take time to be in the moment. In fact, the moments you think you don't have time for self-care are the moments you need it the most.
Mirror Work
Most of us look in the mirror at least once a day. This is a excellent time to change unkind inner dialogue you hear. Do not listen to those words. Instead, when you look in the mirror, look at yourself in the eyes and say something kind and soulful. Do it, even if you feel silly! For example, just telling yourself the words, I am proud of You, is important. Being proud not arrogant, is the reward we give ourselves for achievements and accomplishments we experience in life.
“So many of our insecurities and negative self-talk is rooted in the fear that we are unworthy of being delighted in by another—we may believe that we are too much or are difficult to love,” says Seattle-based psychologist Carly Claney “By proclaiming ‘I am lovable,’ you can begin to instill the narrative that you are in fact worthy of another’s respect, affection, and effort.” Because you deserve it!
Slow Down
Eat slowly. Every time you eat, make it a point to sit down without distractions. Make sure you chew slowly and taste what you are eating. This simple practice is a game changer in how you feel about your body every day.
Breathe. During your day, take a couple minutes to just breathe. Take 10 deep breaths and check in with your body. Allow yourself to re-center and refocus before you move on with your daily tasks.
Rest. If you notice that your body or your mind needs a time out or needs to lay down, it’s important to allow yourself to give your body what it needs.
Gratitude
Having a morning and nighttime routine that is dedicated to gratitude is an amazing way to boost your self-love. And all you need is a journal to start. So grab a pen and a journal and decompress. I find this especially refreshing at night. It allows me to me to focus on the beautiful things in my life and puts a smile on my face before I go to sleep. One thing is certain, you cannot be grateful and angry and the same time.
Encircle Yourself with Beautiful People
Nothing is quit as rejuvenating as the surrounding ourselves with ones we love and appreciate, and who love and appreciate us. People that will laugh with you, hold you when you are crying and hold you accountable. Friends that inspire you to be the very best, who respect your boundaries and celebrate your wins.
And of course, always remember food can be the best medicine or our worst poison. (so make good choices)
My top 10 quotes Compiled By: Margo Maine, PhD
1. Think of your body as the vehicle to your dreams. Honor it. Respect it. Fuel it.
2. Become aware of what your body can do each day. Remember it is the instrument of your life, not just an ornament.
3. Create a list of people you admire people who have contributed to your life, your community, or the world. Consider whether their appearance was important to their success and accomplishments.
4. Do not let your weight or shape keep you from activities that you enjoy.
5. Consider this: your skin replaces itself once a month, your stomach lining every five days, your liver every six weeks, and your skeleton every three months. Your body is extraordinary—begin to respect and appreciate.
6. Find a method of exercise that you enjoy and do it regularly. Do not exercise to lose weight or to fight your body. Do it to make your body healthy and strong and because it makes you feel good. Exercise for the Three F’s: Fun, Fitness, and Friendship.
7. Every evening when you go to bed, tell your body how much you appreciate what it has allowed you to do throughout the day.
8. Think about all the things you could accomplish with the time and energy you currently spend worrying about your body and appearance. Try one!
9. Be your body’s friend and supporter, not its enemy.
10. Keep a list of 10 positive things about yourself, without mentioning your appearance. Add to it daily!