April 09, 2019

The Tools for Loving Yourself

Self-love. Easier said than done, right? There are seem to be so many tips and tricks to achieve this when you look for an answer on the internet. Although the idea of self-love looks different for everyone.

There are so many ways we can drain ourselves of our self-assurance, sometimes we do it without thinking about it or trying. All of a sudden we're down sometimes and we don't know how to feel better. It happens to everyone, just for different reasons at different times.

I feel that a lot of times when I compare myself to others, I get down on myself. I focus on what I don't have compared to a friend, co-worker, or someone on the internet and I forget all the things I have to be thankful for. My family, friends, job, boyfriend, house, bed, everything!

It will not happen overnight, there isn’t a magic sequence of events, but self-love is important!

 For everyone, it looks a little different, but I have found that having a healthy mindset can be grounded in healthy habits. Creating a productive and healthy schedule will help you so much in the long run.

Water 

I can not put enough emphasis on this! Water is the basis of health for everything! Everything in your body down to your cells utilizes water and when you’re hydrated you’re less likely to experience headaches, it helps improve energy levels and brain function. When I give my body the nutrients and tools to be the best it can be, I find that it’s hard to get into a negative space because I’m energized and don’t feel down or tired.

I personally have a reusable water bottle at work with a silicone straw. Having a reusable straw not only helps the environment, but it helps you drink more water because it’s more easily accessible.

 It’s recommended that you consumer 8, eight-ounce glasses of water a day (the 8x8 rule). I definitely consume more than that in a given day but you have to work your body up to consuming a lot of water.

If you’re someone who never drinks water, start out slow and work your way up. A lot of my blogger friends have been posting about water bottles that have the time of day you need to drink that much water by and it seems to be an effective tool in water consumption.

Fitness

Setting aside time to free your mind and get all your nervous energy out is more helpful than you would think. Whether you enjoy a walk on a spring day, sign up for a spin class, or buy a class pack at a yoga studio, you are investing in your longterm mental health.

I find that taking time to unplug and letting out all my pent up energy helps me let go of any anxiety I may feel. Since starting my new job it's been harder to do workouts that seem to be truly challenging. But even walking to and from the train helps the overall impact. When it's nice outside I also try to walk around my office to get some fresh air and get my steps in! Every little thing counts.

Sleep

I still am trying to work on this one myself. It can be hard especially when we feel like we have 83945 things going on, but without sleep, your brain literally cannot function. I avoid all caffeine after 3 pm, utilize my to-do lists throughout the day and time management to make sure I have an ample amount of time to unwind and relax before falling asleep.

I’ve recently been trying out a diffuser and I have a lavender essential oil that I diffuse when I’m starting to wind down and a lavender roller that I use on my temples as well when I’m traveling.

Allowing your body to sleep reduces stress, improves memory, reduces inflammation and helps your body repair itself.

Routine

Incorporating all of these steps is nothing without having a schedule. Trying to maintain an overall routine helps your body stay on schedule and get the most out of your actions. I've found that incorporating each of my mental health behaviors helps me fall into a routine. Utilizing water, fitness, and sleep, help me be my best self and make positive choices.

Self-love comes from a place within. And when you give your body the tools for healthy function, it's easier to appreciate yourself and the power that your body provides.