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HEALTH
Focus on You: Ten Tips on How to Self-Love
by Shanadine Doria
Posted on December 12, 2020
The pandemic has forced everyone to stay at home and this means ––more time for yourself.
There are moments when you look at social media and start comparing your days and how productive you are to that of others. Sometimes the pressure of online class gets to you and makes you feel restless. Maybe you also feel that time moves so fast on some days and move so slow on other days. Don’t worry, you are not the only one feeling these. Pause and remember that you got yourself! Maybe it’s the best time to focus and to love yourself more.
Photo from freepik.com
Here are some tips on how to self-love:
1. Adapt a routine that works best for you.
You can adapt to a new sleeping and waking up routine. Tend to your plants in the morning. Set a time for some exercise. Schedule a time for studying as well as for breaks. Read a book before sleeping. Enrich your mind, body, and soul.
2. Create journal entries and write your thoughts.
Write everything you’re shy to speak about. Try to list all the activities you accomplished within that day. List at least one thing you are thankful for. Write things you are looking forward to for the coming days.
3. Call your closest peers or someone you haven’t talked to in a while.
It’s just about time to catch up with them. You can talk about anything, from the most random things that pop to your head to the things that your heart has been keeping for a long time. Maybe your friends are just waiting for you too.
4. Embrace all your flaws.
Bothered by your pimples? Stretch marks? Embrace it. Feeling like you are not doing enough? Do things at your own pace. Embrace and enrich who you are. You are still God’s masterpiece.
5. Pause and take a rest when you feel like you need to.
Listen to what your body is telling you. Despite hectic online class schedules and the pressure of submitting requirements on time, remember to take a break. There’s no harm in taking rest for quite some time. You deserve it. You are at your best when you are well-rested.
6. Talk about what you are feeling with your family.
Be open – release all your feelings and frustrations to your family. Mental health is as important as physical health. Talk about what’s bothering you. Do not keep it all to yourself. If you do not feel comfortable talking to your family members about your feelings, maybe you can also try asking them about theirs. You can exchange fun stories and childhood memories, now that you have the opportunity to spend more time with them.
7. Allow yourself to cry or be sad over something.
It’s okay to feel sad. You’re also a human. Embrace what you are feeling because they are valid. Release all those negativities, stop what you are doing for a while, and start again when you are ready.
8. “NO”- it’s okay to decline something you’re uncomfortable with.
Saying “no” does not mean you’re bad or greedy. It’s okay to reject something that you think is not good for you. Saying “no” sometimes makes you a lot kinder to yourself.
9. Celebrate small victories.
Drink coffee. Watch a movie. Listen and dance to your favorite songs. Watch concerts online. Cook a hearty meal for you and your family. You deserve to treat yourself. You worked hard for it.
10. Enjoy what you’re doing!
Choose to enjoy and be happy. Don’t stress about something you can’t control. Live the moment. Despite all the things and changes happening to the world around you, you are still in control.
Now, take a moment to breathe. Look at each first letter of the 10 tips listed above.
These tips can guide you in taking little steps to love yourself more. Acceptance can help you realize that you are a worthy person, worthy to be loved, not only by others but, most especially, by yourself. Accept that some things in the world have to change, but remember, you still do you. #