Self-Care And Self-Love: Here Is How To Have Both (2024)

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Why Practicing Both Is Important For Your Mind, Body, & Soul

At the start of each year, lots of people are out there making New Year’s resolutions, promising to give up bad habits, be better, and well. This year, I am focusing on self-care and self-love, and setting short-term achievable goals I can meet. Many resolutions made on January 1st are forgotten by March. I learned last year why new year’s resolutions are destined for failure. Which is why I am taking a completely different route. My focus is working on the inside.

Self-Care and Self-Love Are Not The Same

So what’s the difference? Self-care is any activity we do to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Self-care is the key to living a balanced life. Once, you find your own routine, you’ll know what works for you and it will make it easy to incorporate into your daily life. Soon you’ll be practising it without even thinking about it. To get started, plan out a 14-day self-care and self-love routine. Write done how you feel before you begin, during, and after.

Many women take lots of relaxing baths, get their nails and hair done, massages and a spa day, exercise, meditate, the list goes on. There are things you can do during the day that will help you save time. From the extra time in the evening, dedicate at least 30 minutes for “me time” to yourself.

Self-Care For The Body, Self-Love For The Soul

Since self-care and self-love are not the same, you might practice self-care spiritually, physically, and financially, but neglect yourself emotionally. Have you ever asked yourself why we favour our bodies over our minds? What do we know about emotional care and psychological help? Shouldn’t we try to fuse the two?

I was on a train once, and two people were sitting across from me. The girl looked sad and as if she had been crying. The guy, I noticed, had a broken arm. She was saying “I feel so sad, I can’t take it.”, he said, “Oh stop it, it’s all in your mind!” I remember thinking to myself, how he felt when he broke his arm. Did the doctor say, “oh stop it, the pain is in your mind.” Of course not.

Never underestimate anyone’s pain, just because you can’t see it.

Do you know emotional neglect can lead to depression, anxiety, anger and addictions? We see a doctor when we feel sick or have pain, so why don’t we see a health professional when we feel emotional pain like guilt, loss, or loneliness? The more you love yourself, the happier and healthier you will be. You cannot give love to anyone if you don’t love yourself. You can’t give what you don’t have, right?

Self-care and self-love go hand in hand to help you realize your needs and fulfil them. Here are ways to practice both!

25 Ways To Practice Self-Care and Self-Love

1. Smile.
2. Organize your home and/or workspace.
3. Take time for rest and relaxation.
4. Use soothing essential oils. My favourite is lavender.
5. Cut down on your caffeine intake.
6. Get up earlier than usual and enjoy your morningteain peace and quiet.
7. Avoid the TV, radio, phone, and laptop for at least 45 minutes after waking up.
8. Start the day with two minutes of meditation.
9. Make a list of all the things you like about yourself.
10. Go for a walk.
11. Each night before bed write in your gratitude journal.
12. Treat yourself.
13. Read a good book.
14. Practice saying “no.
15. When you grocery shop say, “I am choosing this for my body because I love her.”
16. When someone offers your a compliment, say, “Thank you” and mean it.
17. Shut off your computer and cell phone off for an hour.
18. Burn your favoritecandle.
19. Get rid of old items you have not used for 6 months or more.
20. Treat yourself with your favorite dessert.
21. Do something for the first time; like trying out a new restaurant for the first time.
22. Eat while focusing only on your food.
23. Do something that you’ve been putting off for a while.
24. Grab some takeout and watch some of your series in Flannel pajamas.
25. Slow down and be present.

Make Time For Self-Care and Self-Love

Both can be practised at any time, however, it works best if you make it part of your daily routine. Set aside time each day to practise even if it’s just a few minutes. Have more time, practice for an hour. Do not prioritize other activities over your self-care and self-love time. Once you do that, you move your health lower on your list of important things. It is important to switch off. Leave your work at work. Focus on you.

Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” – Carl Gustav JungClick To Tweet

More Essentials To Add To Your Daily Routine

I gave you 25 ways to practice both self-care and self-love, however, you will not be able to incorporate all of them into your day as you begin. This will be a gradual process that will take some time. So here are ten things that will take only a few minutes a day which you can do daily. The top five are the ones I never miss out on doing. Sure, it may feel weird at first but this will really feed your mind and soul. You will finally be your authentic self.

“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.”– Malcolm S. ForbesClick To Tweet

Here is a great TED talk I listened to a while ago, and love, that teaches us how to become mentally strong.

When you look back on your own childhood. What sorts of things made you feel loved?

Did you get toys and sweets to calm you down, or were you valued and given emotional attention? If your inner child is still missing love, then so are you. Embrace your feelings.

When you practice self-care and self-love, you will notice that you start living a life of abundance in every area of your life, you stop comparing ourselves to others, and allow for growth to occur.

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection” –BuddhaClick To Tweet

Embracing Yourself

I am glad that I have realised that that flaws don’t make up the entire person. So if I make mistakes, or others do, I don’t need to be overly upset about it. Mistakes and failures come along with being human, so it is alright to be vulnerable. You are the one and only source for your happiness. Give yourself unconditional love every day, no matter what.

Loving yourself unconditionally also means loving all of you, which includes all your flaws, strengths, secrets, and weaknesses. Don’t focus just on one aspect of your life when it comes to self-care.

Energize your body, nourish your spirit, and enlighten your mind.

Do you practice both self-care and self-love? Are you willing to give it a try?

Share with me in the comments section below.

Sheri

Hi. I'm Sheri. I provide tools to help women live an intentional and purpose-driven life by practicing self-help, self-love, and productivity. I share work-life balance tips, transformations techniques, and information and exercises for practicing mindfulness. Daily habits that will help transform you to a better YOU.