Give yourself self-love and self-care this Valentine’s Day

February is home to Valentine’s Day, when people are focused on spreading love to their partners and others. However, this can be a stressful time for single people, causing increases in anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness. To combat these feelings, try to focus on starting a self-care routine.

What is Self-care?

Self-care is the practice of taking the time to do things that improve your physical and mental health. It involves incorporating activities and practices that we engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and maintain and enhance our well-being. When practiced regularly, self-care can reduce risk of illness, increase energy, and improve overall health. (NIMH, 2022; Vermani, 2023).

Key Tips to Incorporate Self-Care into Everyday Life: 

1. Start Small: If you're new to practicing self-care, you don't need to start by implementing major changes to your lifestyle. As little as 30 minutes a few times a week can have a big impact.
2. Listen to Your Body: Your body will often tell you what it needs, whether it's healthy food, exercise, rest, or something else. Pay attention to these signals. 
3. Set Boundaries: It's important to set boundaries in your personal and professional life. This means learning to say no when you're overwhelmed or need rest. 
4. Stay Active: Regular physical activity is a key part of self-care. It can help reduce feelings of anxiety and improve your mood. 
5. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. This can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being. 

Remember, self-care isn't a one-size-fits-all strategy. What works for one person might not work for another. It's important to find what works best for you and make it a part of your regular routine. Self-care is a journey, so be patient with yourself along the way. Use the list below to identify activities that will work for you.  

1. Exercise: Consider walking, hiking, biking, yoga, kickboxing, or any physical activity that you enjoy.
2. Diet: Try cooking a healthy meal from a new recipe, drinking plenty of water, or trying a new vegetable each day.
3. Sleep: Attempt to improve your sleep by sticking to a schedule, avoiding late night meals, and turning off all screens at least one hour before bed.
4. Practice gratitude: Think about the things you are grateful for and write them down to change your mindset. This can become a daily habit.
5. Try a relaxing activity: Try to meditate, do a breathing exercise, take a bubble bath or anything else that is relaxing to you.
6. Focus on positivity: If negative thoughts commonly arise, start to challenge those thoughts and focus on correcting with positive affirmations.
7. Stay connected: Meet with a friend, co-worker, or other for coffee. Reach out to a trusted person who may provide you with emotional support.