9 ways to fall in love with yourself 💗

Self-love is important because it motivates much of our positive behavior while reducing harmful behavior. It both empowers us to take risks and to say no to things that don't work for us. It's a key component of building self-compassion. Self-love helps us take care of ourselves, lower stress, and strive for success.💗 It is SO important to love yourself – because that’s who you’re spending the rest of your life with! Self-love, self-care, self-compassion. It may sound selfish and indulgent. But it’s absolutely essential to your mental health and wellbeing. And it doesn’t mean you have to always prioritise your needs over everyone else’s. If anything, having a good relationship with yourself is a selfless act. Because how you treat others is often a reflection of how you treat yourself. Social media may be full of inspirational quotations about loving yourself. However, practising self-love is often easier said than done. Here are a few EXTRA + practical ways to show yourself some love: 1. Get a good night’s sleep. Good sleep is the foundation of so much of our physical and mental health. 2. Exercise. 3. Eat well. There’s a reason why you were told to eat your greens as a child. Healthy eating is an act of love. We all know what we should do: reduce meat, sugar, carbs, caffeine, alcohol and processed foods in our diet; eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, and drink more water. Your body will thank you. 4. Set boundaries. Many of us have trouble setting boundaries. It may be down to a need for people-please, a fear of being assertive or unhelpful role models growing up. Whatever the reason, a lack of boundaries can wreak havoc with our mental wellbeing. Learning to say ‘No’ helps us preserve our time and energy for the things that matter most. Remember your time is precious so it’s not selfish to prioritise yourself. 5. Give yourself a ‘high five’. In The High 5 Habit, Mel Robbins offers a simple but effective tool for building self-love, self-esteem and confidence. You’re already celebrating and supporting everyone else in your life. What if you did that for yourself too? Why not high five yourself in the mirror every morning? 6. Diarise ‘me’ time. For many of us, if it’s not in the diary or on our to-do list, it doesn’t get done. So schedule in time that’s just for you. Make a date with yourself to do that yoga class, take a walk, watch a film or read a chapter of your book. It’s not selfish to prioritise you. Carving out a bit of ‘me’ time can allow you to develop healthier relationships with others. 7. Do something you love. What do you really enjoy doing? Treat yourself by making time for an activity you love. Or consider mastering a new skill. Mastery is when we achieve or accomplish something that makes us feel good about ourselves. It makes us feel competent, confident and in control. And it’s great for mental health. Choose something stretching but realistic – and where you can see your progress over time in small, achievable steps. When you’re absorbed in an activity you love, you may also enter a ‘flow state’ – a rewarding sense of total involvement in a task. 8. Breathe in… and out. Setting aside regular time each day for a short mindfulness meditation is great for promoting a sense of calm and groundedness. It helps you face the day ahead, and carves out a bit of time in the day to focus on yourself – and your breath. 9. Shift from doing to being. You don’t have to be busy all the time. You can just be. Consider the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku, or ‘forest bathing’. This simple method of being calm and quiet among the trees, observing nature around you while breathing deeply can help you de-stress and boost your health and wellbeing in a natural way.