Self-Love: Caring For Your Body Is Caring For Your Soul

Too often people wish to build their confidence and self-appreciation, but don’t know where to begin. The idea of self-love seems so fleeting and vague that few can tell name straightforward, actionable ways in which they have achieved this elusive concept in their lives. However, when you look beyond the modern buzzwords that occupy our contemporary vocabulary, and beyond the vague advice, it all boils down to very simple and yet profound steps each of us can take to take better care of ourselves.

For starters, understanding and embracing the fact that this elusive “self” contains our body, as well as our mind and spirit, will allow you to also grasp the idea that these are deeply intertwined and cannot be treated separately. We need a holistic self-care approach in order to truly experience self-love in all its beauty. That’s why you’ll see many people confuse the act of pampering with self-love, or meditation with peace: it’s the intention to tend for one’s needs and the decision to really fulfil them that are the basis for self-love. The actions themselves may be different for all of us, but the desire to love yourself through them should be the same.

So, let’s see how you can explore all the ways you can love yourself and nurture your need to care for yourself through various practices on a daily basis.

Heal through yoga

A healthy, strong body is the only temple your spirit needs to be at peace and truly happy. One of the most effective ways you can tend to your spiritual needs is to introduce a yoga practice of your own. Whether you choose to attend a class, follow a video online, or mix and match, yoga can help you restore balance in your life in various different ways.

It’s a wonderful way to grow stronger, improve your cardiovascular wellbeing, boost your flexibility, and gain greater control of your mind as well as your body. The meditative nature of the practice can allow you to incorporate an actual meditation through motion, through controlled breathing, and using affirmations that lift your spirit and help you increase your energy.

Love your largest organ

Caring for your skin is many things, but superficial is not one of them. As your largest organ and your first line of defence against numerous harsh environmental effects, your skin is in many ways a reflection of your overall health. The everyday stress you experience will show first and foremost in your pores, lines, wrinkles, and many other imperfections we all have.

That is why we all need a carefully-designed skin regimen based on our own, specific needs and skin type. Do your best to choose ingredients that will nourish your skin every day, but also items that will provide you with the right level of protection such as your sunscreen, and deep nourishment such as those home-made facial masks and scrubs. An occasional detox pampering session is one of the finest ways to purify your pores, help your skin heal, and boost your own confidence.

Nourish yourself from within

The “you are what you eat” saying stands true even today, as we have entered the era of fad diets, temporary dietary solutions, and eating trends. You’ll come across so many opinions when it comes to the best eating regimes, that you’ll find yourself entirely confused. Yet, your diet has a profound effect on every aspect of your existence, from your mental health, acuity, physical abilities, all the way to your immune system strength.

Even though we live in hectic times, you should take a moment to devise a diet plan that suits not only your lifestyle but also your actual needs. What you eat directly impacts your energy levels, your quality of sleep, your skin health, and your mood, not to mention your weight and long-term wellness, hence the need to keep an eye on what you put on your plate.

Spend some time alone – preferably in nature

We spend most of our time either working, socializing, communicating via social networks, or running errands to even notice that we spend too little time alone – if any time at all. Even if we do spend a few moments not on our phones, it’s rarely too far away from loud traffic or polluted air. Just like you book an appointment with your dentist, schedule a regular outing to a natural reserve, a nearby park, or a forest.

Spend some time away from gadgets, polluted air and all the noise, walk to explore the wealth of greenery that surrounds you, and you’ll reap the many health benefits of this simple habit. Hiking helps increase mindfulness, gives you time to clear your head, and it also serves as a wonderful form of exercise. Find nearby hiking trails, and book a date with Mother Nature to cleanse your mind and your body alike.

Sometimes all it takes is a few moments of solitude or a good pampering session to help you reboot and restore your energy levels. However, the long-term goal of practising self-love through everything you do should become the very foundation of everything you choose to fill your time with. Make sure to include these simple tips into your routine, tweak them depending on your own needs, and help your self-love grow.

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