On Valentine’s Day we purchase gifts for our significant others, friends and anyone who we feel is special to us. We celebrate holidays that focus on giving and showing others we care, but do we take time to care for ourselves in the same manner? Work, home and lifestyle demands, means we often don’t care for ourselves. That can negatively effect on our mental and physical health. It is important to regularly engage in activities that encourage happiness and self-love.
Self-love can help us increase positivity in our lives by helping to build positive self-esteem, physical fitness, increased mental clarity and focus, as well as heighten spiritual enlightenment and strengthen loving relationships. Activities might include exercise or healthy eating, prayer, creative expression and volunteering our time. There are a million and one ways to love yourself; the first step is finding activities that will work with your time, financial and health limitations. This February, be your own Valentine. Show yourself some affection, because you are important and deserve to be happy!
Here is a list of 100 ways you can to love yourself:
1 take a walk (walking for at least thirty minutes a day can help with diabetes, blood pressure, anxiety and depression)
2 go for a run
3 take a hike
4 play fetch with a dog
5 visit your doctor (it is very important to understand and be aware of health issues and limitations)
6 plant flowers
7 buy comfortable and supportive shoes
8 drink plenty of water
9 dance!
10 start a weight lifting routine
11 go swimming
12 get a massage
13 take a healthy cooking class
14 start taking vitamins
15 put yourself on a healthy sleep schedule
16 ride a bike (if you fall off, get back on again!)
17 get a yearly physical
18 use Pinterest for fun and healthy recipes
19 smile at yourself in a mirror
20 keep a journal (writing out your thoughts and emotions can help you become aware of triggers to negative mood)
21 practice positive affirmations
22 take a nap
23 organize shelves, drawers and cabinets
24 talk with a counselor (psychotherapy can help us process traumatic experiences and teach new coping skills)
25 read
26 take a class (education decreases chances for addiction, violence, poverty, death)
27 play a game
28 use the internet to research interesting topics
29 plan a “staycation”
30 take pictures (the world around you is beautiful, take a closer look at it)
31 remove clutter from your home
32 color (for adults, this activity is shown to decrease anxiety and promote self-expression)
33 take a self defense course
34 join a community or self-help group
35 take a bubble bath
36 go to a movie
37 decorate for a holiday
38 save pennies for a rainy day fund
39 take a drive
40 have lunch with a friend
41 reconnect with an old friend
42 set boundaries with negative people (put up a white picket fence around yourself, keep drama out!)
43 surround yourself with people who love you
44 practice deep breathing exercises (these are good for alleviating anxiety and helping with anger management)
45 let yourself off of the hook by forgiving yourself (shame and guilt can negatively affect physical and mental health)
46 practice mindfulness (focusing on the present is a great way to alleviate depression and anxiety)
47 listen to music
48 light a good smelling candle
49 take care of your skin
50 buy something for yourself!
51 watch a sunset
52 watch a sunrise
53 go outside at night and look for constellations
54 pray
55 talk with elders (their wisdom is precious and priceless)
56 attend a spiritual service
57 send a card to someone who needs encouragement
58 buy from a fundraiser
59 attend a community event
60 give a compliment
61 accept a compliment (without giving a rebuttal)
62 donate to a cause
63 pick up trash in your community
64 make a call to a sick friend/relative
65 make lists to help stay on track with tasks
66 keep a routine
67 make a craft
68 cloud watch
69 engage in yoga/meditation
70 start/reengage in a hobby
71 find something that makes you laugh
72 unplug from electronic devices/social media for one hour
73 get out in the sunshine (good for the mind, body and soul!)
74 learn to say NO! (it might feel awkward at first, but learning to say no can help with self-confidence)
75 create a vision board (this visual aide can help with planning and staying motivated for goals and future tasks)
76 plan a date night with your significant other
77 plan a date night with a friend
78 wear an outfit that makes you feel confident
79 eat a sweet treat (or a sugar-free sweet treat for all my fellow diabetics)
80 take a day and change bad habits for good ones
81 give yourself a manicure
82 splurge on a pedicure (trust me, you will not be disappointed)
83 think about things that you’re grateful for
84 share a smile with a stranger
85 learn to budget money (this can help reduce anxiety and stress)
86 challenge yourself to post only positive items on social media
87 do something you’ve always wanted to do (no time like the present!)
88 congratulate yourself on a personal victory
89 read a religious text
90 visit a comedy club (after all, laughter is the best medicine)
91 stop comparing yourself to others (you are unique and special, no one can be like you!)
92 make a gift for someone
93 hold a door open for someone
94 sing out loud (get your Justin Timberlake on!)
95 take a mental health day from work (life goes fast, stop and enjoy it once in a while)
96 sleep late
97 adopt a pet (their companionship is endless and unconditional)
98 increase self-awareness by checking in with yourself daily (knowing what you’re feeling, and why!)
99 sit on your porch and watch the world go by
100 commit to yourself (treat yourself as important as you would want others to treat you!)
Amy Caldwell is the case manager for Community First Solutions’ UPLIFT program. UPLIFT is an in-home counseling services to combat depression and anxiety commonly experienced by over 2 million older adults each year. The short term program includes 15 to 20 sessions with a licensed therapist who will either visit clients’ homes or a location of their choice. There is minimal to no charge for Butler County adults over the age of fifty and are no forms associated with it. Simply call (513) 868-5128 and we will quickly connect you or someone you love with a counselor.