Self Improvement

8 Ways To Give Yourself A Little Extra Love This Valentine’s Day

posted on February 12, 2018 | by Katina Mountanos

Valentine’s Day is usually an anxiety-ridden holiday for people on both sides of the relationship table. On one hand, all the single ladies and dudes are trying to forget this stupid holiday ever existed (…maybe a little too much). And on the other, those in a relationship are constantly trying to pull off this insane plan/gift/date and manage all the weird pressure that comes with it.

So, this Valentine’s Day, let’s forget all that craziness and focus on ourselves only. Let’s give ourselves permission to stop getting FOMO about that friend’s #relationshipgoals Insta Story who makes her boyfriend seem like Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles. Here are a few ways you can look inwards and show yourself some extra love this Valentine’s Day — and in the future.

Take the pressure off

It’s okay to chill out. You don’t need to be doing the 10 extra things on your to-do list today. Stop putting pressure on yourself. It’s easy to feel like we have to live in this nonstop world of constantly pushing ourselves to do the Next Best Thing…and when we’re not, we feel like we need to share our lives with the world (facemask selfies anyone?!). Take a breather. Relax. And, give yourself permission to slow down a bit.

Give yourself a little massage

The first time someone suggested this to me, I thought it was super weird. But, I’ve learned that getting in touch with your own body and showing it some love is super important. It’s not just important because it feels good (which is totally a valid reason), but remember — our skin is our biggest organ. Massaging it, even just for a few minutes before you get into the shower, helps to flush out toxins and impurities from your system. And did I mention that it feels really good? Give yourself a few extra minutes during your self-care routine to massage. You may even notice your skin looking a bit brighter.

Cook yourself a meal

Cooking for others is one of the biggest ways that we show our love and appreciation for others. But, what about doing it for ourselves? I’m totally guilty of whipping up a microwave meal when I’m super busy (aka quinoa + veggie burger + hummus is my go-to). But no — not today. Not on V-Day. Today, we’re going to cook ourselves a meal of loooove. This vegan mac and cheese recipe is one of my favorite healthy-comfort foods. Grab a glass of wine (or cup of tea) and get creative in the kitchen.

Breathe

This one’s simple: Take a breather. Breathing is one of the most effective, efficient (and not to mention cheap!) ways that we could show ourselves a little love. Also, if you do it right, it’s scientifically proven to de-stress, re-energize, and heal all kinds of wounds. You can practice breathing, or as the yogi’s say — pranayama — during your meditation practice (if you have one) or from the comfort of your couch. Try this Breath of Fire technique and see if you need a cup of coffee afterwards!

Give in to some relaxation rituals

When we think of self-care, we always think of the same Instagram-worthy bath filled with rose petals, right? But relaxing should be just that…relaxed. Don’t go overboard. Facemasks, reading, writing in your journal, and taking a long bath are all awesome ways to relax and unwind. Just remember: it could be just as simple as you’d like it to be.

Spend a whole day just saying yes (…or no)

Have you ever spent an entire day just accepting (or denying) every invitation you’ve received? It’s one of the best feelings in the world. Depending on your personality type and your goals — do what makes you feel best. If you’re super happy spending time alone, or feel like you need a recharge: Feel good saying no. If you need a little adventure in your life or feel like you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone: Try spending a day saying yes to everything that comes your way. It feels extremely rewarding when you listen to your gut, and do what you want to…not what you should.

Buy yourself a new plant

Plants are psychologically proven to make you feel better. Not only do they look beautiful, but they actually absorb the toxins in our homes. This helps us increase productivity, concentration, and our overall mood. No matter where you live, succulents aren’t too hard to find (or take care of). Wander into your local plant store and let yourself gravitate to your newest plant friend.

Treat yourself to an Inspiration Date

An “Inspiration Date” is: To make time for yourself on your own, to do something enchanting. This could be anything from going for a walk in your neighborhood to browsing a bookstore. It could be strolling around the farmer’s market or people watching in a park. This year, substitute those weird Valentine’s dates for Inspiration time with yourself. A time to show yourself a little love, and take the pressure off. Most importantly: it’s a space for you to remind yourself that you are friggen awesome.

Happy (self love) V-day!