The Art of Self Love

Before leaving the house in the morning, one of the first things someone does is look in the mirror. Some may see positive attributes and others may see negative qualities. The realization of how one sees themself is important. Identifying who you are is the first step in self-care.

Once self-care is implemented in one’s life, they are able to view themselves in a more positive light. Without proper self-care, one cannot live life to the fullest. 

However, taking time for self-care is not always that easy as there is a shared mindset in society that believes productivity dictates quality of life. This mindset is what propels the misconception that self-care should take the backseat to work life.

When this is the case, there tends to be problems that make it difficult to focus and hone in on a self-care routine. These obstacles in caring for oneself on a routine basis can include a lack of time, energy and motivation. 

While it is understandable that these blockages make self-care difficult to integrate into an already busy life, self-care is essential for relieving stress and pressure on the mind and body. 

Self-care is not only face masks and bubble baths. In reality, it begins with simple lifestyle choices such as sleep and diet. 

To have a healthy life through self-care means maintaining a positive relationship with yourself. 

According to the 2017 Forbes article, “Practicing Self-Care Is Important: 10 Easy Habits To Get You Started,” “Self-care is necessary to remind yourself and others that you and your needs are important too.” 

Your needs are important and one must practice self-care in order to cater to those needs. 

Self-care can look different for everyone: sometimes it’s opening a savings account or organizing a closet. For others, self-care starts with deep breaths and realizations. 

Caring for yourself is an effective way to manage stress, anxiety, sadness and a lack of focus. All of these feelings act as signs that you need to take a break and slow down. 

Constantly running through life promotes an unhealthy lifestyle void of self-care. 

Whether it’s reading, watching television, running or spending time with friends, the self-care activities that one chooses can easily improve quality of life. Self-care is beneficial because it serves as a reminder that you are important and deserve to live a happy and healthy life.

“Hello Gorgeous” written by Lola Sanchez Herrero and Ana Sanchez-Gal contains an entire chapter dedicated to self-care and the importance of it in everyone’s life. This book highlights the idea that every aspect of your life deserves time and dedication.

 You are the center of your life and everything else is built around you. When you integrate self-care into your routine and curate a life of healthiness through it, all else will follow. 

Being kind to yourself is not greedy. Self-care is not selfish. The long-term effects of self-care are positive and show thriving results in each and every person. While self-care is commonly associated with mental health, it is just as much mental health-related as it is related to one’s physical health.

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