Self-Love is an Important Part of Maintaining your Health
There is no time of the year that is bad to start taking better care of and loving yourself. It is always a good time to begin investing in caring for yourself. Summer offers you more time and opportunities to engage in self-love activities. The days are longer, and the weather is warmer, leading many to feel as though it is time to start working on themselves.
You should never feel pressured to work on yourself. Loving yourself should come naturally and be an action which you want to do. For those of you who are interested in loving yourself this summer, here are a few tips to help you out.
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others as Much
It is almost human nature to compare yourself to your peers. It is not always a bad thing, but too much comparing can leave you feeling inadequate and insecure. Try not to compare how you look or where you are in life to others as much as you have in the past. If you do want to compare yourself to someone, look back at your past self and see how you’ve grown and changed since then.
Dress How You Want to Dress
This tip can also play into not comparing yourself to others. Don’t hold yourself to the standards of the fashion industry, or what the general public perceives as stylish. Wear clothing that you feel comfortable in and make you feel confident in yourself. If you feel powerful and attractive in an item of clothing, it shouldn’t matter what others think of it as long as you like it and feel good.
Don’t Overcommit
It is important to spend time with people that you enjoy being around and make you happy and feel good, but it’s just as important not to spread yourself thin. It is okay to say no to activities or events that you don’t really want to go to. Create boundaries and limits for yourself that prevent you from becoming emotionally, mentally, or physically exhausted. Self-love is about taking care of your needs and understanding that you can’t do everything. Make yourself a priority.
Make Your Health a Priority
Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the most obvious and helpful forms of taking care of yourself. Exercising has excellent benefits for your body and your mental health. Outside of exercise, try to eat healthy foods that fill you with energy and leave you feeling good about yourself. Eating healthy and exercising can help you improve how you view your body as well as making you feel physically better.
Take a Break from Social Media
Social media can be a great place for you to communicate and interact with your friends and family. It’s helpful in planning events and get-togethers. However, it can also lead you to compare yourself to others more and make you feel less about yourself. While social media has plenty of benefits, it can also have negative effects on your mental health. It is okay to take a break from these platforms from time to time.
Spend More Time Outside
We all know that during the summer, the days are longer and warmer. The sun and its rays have been proven to have a positive effect on your mental health, so spending extended time outside can help give your body and mind the nutrients and care it needs. You can just sunbathe by the pool or read a book under a tree. Whatever activity you prefer, go ahead and give it a try. Remember to not spend too much time in the sun as the heat and sunlight can overheat and exhaust your mind and body.
Try Something New
The summer is a great time to experiment with a new hobby or activity. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and pick up something new. You might find something that will have an incredibly positive impact on your life. You may find a group of people who also enjoy this hobby and create a new friend group.
While every day is a great day to begin your journey of self-love, the summer provides you with plenty of time and opportunities to care for yourself. Self-care is incredibly important as it allows you to put your mental, emotional, and physical health as your highest priority. At Lifeworks Counseling Center, our staff is here to assist you at in building a self-love routine to help you live life well.
