Thursday, February 14, 2019

Loving your body: How To Treat Yourself While Celebrating Valentine's Day Alone

Valentine’s Day may be just around the corner, but showing love (for yourself) doesn't have to stop at the end of the month.

The importance of self-care is gaining traction as those in the scientific community focus on understanding the important contributions mental and emotional health have on our physical health. This means if you want to be healthy, you have to treat yourself well - cultivate good habits such as staying in touch with those close to you, finding one thing to be grateful for each day, eating well and exercising. Feeling good about yourself helps keep you motivated to reach your goals and maintain progress. This is especially useful if you are trying to lose weight and keep it off!

Appreciate Yourself

Do something for yourself that makes you feel special. Maybe you take yourself out for a really nice dinner or light some candles and soak in a relaxing bubble bath. However you decide to treat yourself, make sure you do something you don’t do on an ordinary day.

Valentine's Day is about love and care, so you deserve to treat yourself to something really special. Even though this holiday only comes once a year, it’s a good idea to take time out of your schedule every month or week to check in and do something nice for yourself. Self-appreciation is a wonderful way to remind yourself how amazing you are so you stay motivated to lose weight this year!

Keep Loved Ones Close

When it comes to self-care, having people in your life you’re close to can be a good break from the stressors of everyday life. Life feels a lot easier when you have someone to share funny stories or bits about your favorite show with. This February, take a few minutes to chat with or visit those in your life who make you happy, and don’t be afraid to reach out to those around you for friendship or support. Seeing friends is always a nice way to take care of yourself because it gives you space to unwind and have a good time.

Express Gratitude

Take time out of your day to be truly thankful for something - anything that makes you content or helps you smile. Nothing is off limits or too small. If you are unsure what you are grateful for, now is a great time to explore all the things you like. Maybe you’re grateful for waking up next to someone who really cares about you, such as a partner or a child. Perhaps you’re thankful for having a job that allows you to buy the necessities you need to live. Maybe you’re just happy to have a warm sunny day. Have no expectations and see what you can come up with, and do be sure to compliment yourself for just trying. Being able to express gratitude is an important step in being kind to yourself.

Eat Healthy

Don’t underestimate the effects certain foods have on your mood. Eating a lot of processed foods that don’t nourish your body can make you feel as empty as those calories you consume. Opt for fresh fruits and veggies when possible, and consider taking up a diet meal plan to help you lose weight if you’re wondering how to keep weight off. You’ll be surprised how feeling lighter can help you feel more active and help you find the energy to work on the hobbies you love.

Exercise

Eating right and exercising go together like two peas in a pod. As you begin to shift your habits, you’ll begin to learn how fitting a life-changing diet into your lifestyle to lose weight can be simple when you complement your eating habits with the right types of exercises. From walking around your local park to hitting treadmills at the gym, it’s important to add movement to your life. As you establish a routine, exercising will help you feel more energized and can even improve your mood. Though it may be hard to get started, the benefits will certainly keep you motivated to keep working hard and have you feeling your best yet!