Week of April 19 Focus: Self-love ♥

Self-love or self-care

Self-love, defined as "love of self" or "regard for one's own happiness or advantage"

: an appreciation of one's own worth or virtue

: proper regard for and attention to one's own happiness or well-being

What do we mean when we say “self-love”?

♥ Self-love means having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness.

♥ Self-love means taking care of your own needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others.

♥ Self-love means not settling for less than you deserve.

♥ Self-love means giving yourself what your body, brain, and soul needs for the marathon that is life. It isn’t hedonism and it isn’t chasing a physical or emotional high. The practice of self-love is the practice of nourishing yourself.

Why practice self-love?

Practicing self-love can be challenging for many of us, especially in times when we face serious challenges. It’s not about being self-absorbed or narcissistic, it’s about getting in touch with ourselves, our well-being and our happiness. We practice self-love so we can push through our limiting beliefs and live a life that truly shines.

When you put yourself last or fail to love yourself, you will notice increased stress, anxiety and reactivity to the little things that you may have ignored beforehand. Things will feel more difficult, overwhelming and lead to you feeling depleted and overall, more unhappy.

Self-love is not about perfectionism or reading a bunch of self-help books. Many studies have shown that self-love is the key to mental wellbeing and can keep depression and anxiety away.

10 Tangible & Thought-Provoking Ways To Practice Self-Love