Think about the last time you were on an airplane. Remember that spiel about oxygen masks? Flight attendant safety demonstrations always direct you to put on your own mask before helping others. If you put the mask on your child or neighbor first, you could potentially pass out before you are able to put on your own mask. What if you translated this example into your day-to-day life? What would that look like exactly?
Making your wellbeing a priority is not about being selfish. This is about putting yourself first so that you are better equipped to help others and gracefully handle what the day brings. This is about loving yourself so that you can offer more love to the community around you.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day and all things self-love, here are 5 super easy ways to #LoveYoSelf!
1. Be Gentle with Yourself
You know that little gremlin inside your brain telling you all the things you’ve messed up. It tells you things you should’ve said or should’ve done. This voice tells you that you need to look a certain way or act a certain way. It tells you that you’re not good enough. Well, what if we decide not to engage in these thoughts? Sure, our gremlin is there… but do we really HAVE to listen to it? For starters, let’s promise to be gentle with ourselves. We already have enough, we do enough, & we are enough. So let’s practice some radical self-love by nurturing ourselves instead of listening to our inner critic.
2. Buy Yourself Flowers
Ok, maybe you have bad allergies and can’t stand fresh-cut flowers in your home. No problem! The point here is to treat yourself. This could mean reading poetry, meditating, or spending time at the beach. No matter what your groove is, treat yourself to something that will make your heart smile.
3. Write a Love Letter to Yourself
Write yourself the love letter you’ve always wanted to receive. This can be a very powerful tool. It can be simple (“I love you!”) or more complex (“I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.”) Either way, make sure that it truly resonates with you. You can read it aloud to yourself every morning, or read it before going to bed each night. Whenever you decide to read it, remember that you are seen, you are known, & you are loved.
4. Move Your Body
Go outside! Treat yourself well by getting out of the house and moving your beautiful body. Go to a local yoga or pilates class, or take your mat to a nearby park and practice underneath the trees. Walk. Run. Skip. Jump. Even getting the teeniest bit of exercise will improve your mood, boost your immune system, and show your body how much you appreciate all that it can do for you.
5. Drink More Water
It’s time to put down the wine glass. The benefits of drinking more water are endless (clearer skin, fluid balance, muscle fuel, fatigue buster, brain booster – just to name a few). Show yourself & your body some love by keeping yourself hydrated. Bonus points if you make sure your water is alkaline! Alkaline water detoxifies the body & is absorbed quickly by your cells, hydrating better and faster than any other form of water. Check out the DYLN Living Alkaline Water Bottle for alkaline water on-the-go! Now that’s self-love!
