Learning to love and appreciate yourself is more important than ever in a world filled with unrealistic beauty standards and societal pressures. Practicing self-care and embracing body positivity isn’t just about appearance—it’s about fostering self-acceptance, confidence, and overall well-being. By shifting the focus from criticism to care, you can cultivate a healthier relationship with yourself, embracing your uniqueness and prioritizing mental and physical wellness.
Building a positive relationship with yourself takes time, but small, intentional practices can make a big difference! Self-care comes in many forms, from daily affirmations and mindful movement to nourishing your body and setting healthy boundaries.
It’s all about finding what makes you feel good, whether journaling your thoughts, surrounding yourself with supportive people, or simply taking a break when needed. By incorporating habits that uplift and empower you, self-love becomes more than just a concept; it becomes a way of life.
Honor Your Needs
Don’t fall into the trap of believing you don’t need care, that you do not deserve it, or that everyone else’s needs come before yours. You do need care; you are worth it, and you can’t fully support others if you neglect yourself.
Prioritizing your well-being isn’t always easy—sometimes, it’s the last thing you want to do. But pushing past that resistance, even in small, tiny ways, makes it easier each time!
If you’re realizing that self-care has taken a backseat, hopefully, these tips will inspire you to start making yourself a priority each day.
Self-Care Tips & Tricks
Proper self-care goes beyond indulgence. It’s about creating habits that support mental and physical health. Here are five tried-and-true self-care tips to help anyone feel their best!
1. Daily Affirmations
Daily affirmations offer numerous benefits. They help rewire the mind for positivity and self-belief and maintain an optimistic outlook. You can combat negative self-talk, boost self-esteem, and foster a resilient mindset by consistently repeating uplifting statements.
Affirmations also help reinforce a sense of control over one's thoughts and emotions, which can lead to reduced stress and anxiety.[5] They also serve as a powerful tool for goal setting, encouraging motivation and focus on personal growth. Over time, these repeated positive messages can shift one's subconscious beliefs, leading to increased confidence, productivity, and overall well-being.
2. Mindful Movement
Mindful movement is a practice that connects the body and mind, fostering a sense of awareness and presence. Whether through yoga, stretching, or gentle exercise, mindful movement encourages you to tune into your physical sensations, helping to reduce your stress level and increase relaxation![6] Regularly practicing mindful movement can offer a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of your daily life, supporting overall health and vitality.
Focusing on each movement and breath becomes an act of self-care that nurtures your mental and physical well-being, allowing for improved posture, flexibility, and emotional regulation! Fostering a strong connection between yourself and your body helps you approach yourself with curiosity and grace, allowing you to listen inward and truly know how to meet your needs.
3. Nourishing Your Body
Taking supplements can be a great way to give your body the extra nutrients it needs, especially if your diet isn’t always perfect. They can help boost your energy, strengthen your immune system, and support everything from brain function to gut health.
Ashwagandha, for example, is a powerful adaptogen that can help manage stress levels and support overall mental well-being! Known for its ability to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, ashwagandha also helps maintain energy and balance, making it an excellent supplement for the body and mind. [1,2]
Another helpful supplement is a daily greens powder, which can fill nutritional gaps by providing a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Pattern Wellness’s Greens are filled with micronutrients and essentials from natural goodies like garden-fresh fruits and veggies. These powders can help improve digestion, boost energy, and enhance immune function. When incorporated into your routine, they support overall health by providing a convenient way to consume nutrient-dense foods that might otherwise be difficult to fit into your day.[3]
Just like eating well, staying active, and getting enough rest, giving your body the nutrients it needs helps you feel your best and fully participate in your daily life. Prioritizing your health this way isn’t just about avoiding illnesses; it’s about feeling energized, balanced, and strong so you can easily do what you love!
4. Spending Time in Nature
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is step outside and reconnect with nature. Life moves fast, and it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle, pushing through exhaustion like it’s a badge of honor. Authentic self-care means knowing when to slow down, breathe in the fresh air, and give yourself the peace you deserve. Whether taking a quiet walk through the trees, sitting by the water, or simply feeling the sun on your skin, honoring your need for a break isn’t lazy—it’s love!
Nature has a way of healing that goes beyond the moment. Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall well-being! The natural world calms the nervous system, lowering cortisol levels and promoting mental clarity. It’s not just a break from routine; it’s a rejuvenation for your body, mind, and spirit. So when you step outside, you’re doing more than just getting away; you’re embracing a simple form of wellness.
Spending time in nature is a way of reminding yourself that you are just as important as everything on your to-do list. Resting doesn’t mean you’re falling behind; you’re recharging, grounding yourself, and finding clarity. So take that hike, listen to the birds, or let the breeze carry your worries away. Your mind, body, and heart will thank you for it!
5. Surrounding Yourself With Love
Self-care isn’t just about what you do for yourself—it’s also about who you surround yourself with. The people in your life should uplift you, make you feel safe, and remind you of your worth, not drain your energy or make you question yourself. Choosing to be around love—whether it’s family, friends, or even a pet that adores you—is a way of showing yourself love, too. It’s about creating a space where you feel supported, heard, and valued just as you are.
Love also appears in the little things: kind words, warm hugs, shared laughter, and quiet moments of understanding. Surrounding yourself with love means allowing yourself to receive it, not just give it. It’s okay to lean on others, to ask for help, and to walk away from anything that doesn’t feel good to your heart. The more love you let into your life, the more you’ll realize how deeply you deserve it.
Practice Makes Perfect
Self-care isn’t something that should only be practiced occasionally or during difficult times. Instead, it is a daily commitment to maintaining good mental health. Over time, these habits can help individuals overcome many mental health challenges. The longer you engage in self-care, the better you can navigate life’s ups and downs. It also fosters a greater confidence in who you are, what you’re doing, and why. Prioritizing self-care can transform one’s outlook and overall world experience.
For those who haven’t prioritized their well-being, you must recognize that you are worthy of taking time each day for self-care, and making self-love a priority can create a ripple effect, allowing other aspects of life to fall into place naturally.
Remember to fill your cup first. Take time for yourself today, and let your inner glow shine!
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Resources:
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Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 34(3), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.106022
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Bonilla, D. A., Moreno, Y., Gho, C., Petro, J. L., Odriozola-Martínez, A., & Kreider, R. B. (2021). Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis. Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology, 6(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk6010020
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Clinic, C. (2024, September 9). Powdered greens: Do they really work? Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-powdered-greens-work
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Jimenez, M. P., DeVille, N. V., Elliott, E. G., Schiff, J. E., Wilt, G. E., Hart, J. E., & James, P. (2021). Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(9), 4790. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094790
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Cascio, C. N., O'Donnell, M. B., Tinney, F. J., Lieberman, M. D., Taylor, S. E., Strecher, V. J., & Falk, E. B. (2016). Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 11(4), 621–629. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsv136
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Schuman-Olivier, Z., Trombka, M., Lovas, D. A., Brewer, J. A., Vago, D. R., Gawande, R., Dunne, J. P., Lazar, S. W., Loucks, E. B., & Fulwiler, C. (2020). Mindfulness and Behavior Change. Harvard review of psychiatry, 28(6), 371–394. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000277
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