8 Self-love Tips for Healing and Happiness This February and Always
February is considered the month of love because Valentine’s Day, which falls on February 14th each year, is dedicated to celebrating romance and love. And while we agree that sharing sentimental greeting cards and woofing down heart-shaped chocolates is a fun way to celebrate, February is also a wonderful time to reflect on a different type of love – self-love, especially as it pertains to your mental health.
It’s no secret that mental health struggles can make it difficult to love yourself. When you already feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle, it can seem impossible to find the energy to show yourself any kindness, let alone love. But believe it or not, self-love is one of the most important things you can do for your mental health (Sandoiu, 2018).
Self-love is often overlooked and underrated when it comes to improving mental health. Self-love means investing in yourself and having compassion for yourself; it’s showing kindness and understanding toward your own emotional needs, rather than being hard on yourself or allowing negative thoughts to take hold. Practicing self-love can be particularly useful if you’re struggling with depression or other mental health concerns.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling worthless when suffering from poor mental health. But it’s important to remember that you are worthy of love and care, just like everybody else. To help you begin your self-love journey, we’ve provided several tips that we feel are the most beneficial for those dealing with mental health concerns.
Self-love Tip #1: Forgive Yourself
One of the first steps in practicing self-love is learning to forgive yourself (Resources to Recover, 2018). If you’ve been through a tough time, it’s important to give yourself a break and cut yourself some slack. Remember that no one is perfect and that you’re only human. We all make mistakes, and we all have moments when we feel like we haven’t done enough or been good enough. However, rather than being hard on yourself in these moments, try to forgive yourself, recognize that having these feelings is normal from time to time, and focus on making today the best day possible.
Self-love Tip #2: Do Something That Makes You Happy
When was the last time you did something that made you truly happy? If it’s been a while, now is the perfect time to do something for yourself. Whether it’s taking a yoga class, going for a nature walk, spending time with friends, or indulging in your favorite dessert, make sure to do something each day that brings joy and happiness into your life. Tailoring this ‘me’ time to activities that make you feel good allows you to focus on what makes you truly happy and build confidence in your abilities. Similarly, investing in hobbies like gardening, cooking, or playing an instrument can provide a creative outlet for your feelings and give you something positive to focus on.
Self-love Tip #3: Start Building Self-Awareness and Understanding
What does it mean to build self-awareness and understanding? This means being mindful of your thoughts and emotions, rather than simply reacting to them while “in the moment” (Sandoiu, 2018). Take some time to observe yourself without judgment, particularly when you’re navigating a stressful or difficult situation. Then ask yourself what’s going through your mind. What do you feel in response to what’s going on? Acknowledge these feelings and accept that they are valid, even if they’re uncomfortable or negative.
It can also be beneficial to remember that our thoughts and feelings don’t define us as people— they are simply passing through. We may have negative thoughts sometimes, but they don’t reflect who we are or what kind of person we are (Sandoiu, 2018). Releasing these ideas before they become too deeply rooted is a way of practicing self-love, particularly when dealing with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
Self-love Tip #4: Set Boundaries
Once you have a better understanding of your own emotions, you can start setting personal boundaries for yourself. Decide what kinds of behavior from others you won’t tolerate and be firm about not allowing people to take advantage of you. Learning to say “no” more often will help you feel more empowered and secure in your own actions (Resources to Recover, 2018). It’s easy to become overwhelmed with obligations and expectations from others, but learning how to set healthy boundaries will help you create a life where you can focus on your own needs and goals.
Self-love Tip #5: Learn to Understand Your Own Needs
Once you’ve learned how to set healthy boundaries, you can begin focusing on your own needs. When struggling with mental health issues, one of the most powerful tools for practicing self-love is understanding your own wants and needs. Taking time to reflect on what you need to feel safe, respected, cared for, and nourished will help you gain clarity on what kind of self-care will be most beneficial for you. It’s also important to understand when your mental health is beginning to diminish so that you can be extra diligent in making sure you’re needs are met while taking the necessary steps to prevent or minimize the effects of a mental health decline.
Self-love Tip #6: Learn How to Manage Your Time
Managing time more effectively is also an important part of learning to love yourself while struggling with your mental health. When dealing with depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns, it can be hard to find the motivation to do things that would make you feel better. By creating a daily schedule, you can keep yourself focused and on track, and by blocking off specific times for activities like exercise or creative pursuits, you can ensure that you have time to take care of yourself even in your darkest moments.
Self-love Tip #7: Incorporate Daily Positive Affirmations
Those experiencing mental health struggles may also benefit from introducing positive affirmations into their daily routine. Writing down or repeating mantras like ‘I am strong’ or ‘I am worthy’ can help you shift your mindset and provide a sense of self-worth. Positive affirmations are also an excellent way of reminding yourself that you are capable and will get through tough times. A great way to incorporate positive affirmations into your life is by creating a self-compassion ritual, such as writing down three things that make you happy or proud at the end of each day or simply saying “I love you” out loud in front of the mirror every morning (Sandoiu, 2018).
Self-love Tip #8: Surround Yourself with Supportive People
Another way to practice self-love when struggling with mental health is to surround yourself with supportive people (Resources to Recover, 2018). Surrounding yourself with people who are supportive and willing to listen can help alleviate some of the pressures that often accompany mental health concerns. Having someone who understands and can provide a listening ear or helpful words of support and encouragement can make a huge difference in how disruptive your mental health struggles are to your everyday life.
If you don’t have anyone in your life that you feel comfortable confiding in, there are many resources available for mental health support, both online and in-person. At embrace health, we offer a variety of telehealth services, from individual therapy and group therapy to online psychiatry appointments. All you need is reliable wi-fi and a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. When it comes to depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns, talking about your experiences with a therapist or support group can provide invaluable emotional support and guidance and help you grow a strong foundation for continued self-care.
No Matter What, Always Be Patient with Yourself
It can be difficult at first to break old habits and positively think of yourself, but it’s important to remember that self-love is a process, not an overnight fix. Be patient with yourself as you work towards recovery and don’t be too hard on yourself if setbacks occur. It’s also important to remember that there’s no “one size fits all” solution. What works for you might not work for someone else, so be sure to experiment and find out what activities work for you and truly help you feel better.
Finally, know that learning to love yourself isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing practice that requires patience and commitment. It’s important to take things one day at a time and celebrate each small victory along the way (National Council of Mental Wellbeing, 2020). But with consistency, you can build up your self-love skills and find a sense of peace and acceptance within yourself – and you deserve that.
Contact embrace health today for more information about our online telepsychiatry or therapy services, or book an appointment online to connect with one of our dedicated and compassionate mental health professionals.
References:
Sandoiu, A. (2018, March 23). Why self-love is important and how to cultivate it. Medical News Today. Retrieved January 25, 2023, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321309#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
National Council of Mental Wellbeing (2020, June 23). Five Tips to Help You Practice Self-Love. Mental Health First Aid. Retrieved January 25, 2023, from https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2020/06/five-tips-to-help-you-practice-self-love/
Resources to Recover (2018, April 24). Why “Love Yourself” Is Good Advice to Follow When Struggling With Mental Health. Rtor.org. Retrieved January 25, 2023, from https://www.rtor.org/2018/04/24/love-yourself/
