TOP 5 PRACTICAL WAYS TO SELF LOVE

I used to think i did, but my actions said otherwise.

First there's a theory i will like to disagree with which is "no one is going to love you if you don't love yourself".

Personally think it is quite wrong and ridiculous to say or tell someone that they cant be loved by another until they learn how to love themselves first. I am here to tell you that you not loving yourself does not make someone else's love for you not exist. 

Loving yourself is crucial to your personal growth, actualizing of your dreams and developing happy healthy relationships.

There is so much self help advice everywhere that keep telling you to "love yourself"  Though this is a great advice, how exactly do we achieve this self love?

I used to believe I had this tremendous self love, yet my actions and life suggested otherwise. So instead of trying to talk myself into believing I have self love, I actually used these practical steps to develop and build it.

  5 PRACTICAL WAYS TO SELF LOVE

• MOVE YOUR BODY

Get out of your house. When we move we allow various forms of energy in our body the freedom to flow.

If you spend all day sitting in front of a computer, watch too much TV, your creative, emotional, sexual energies tend to get trapped in our bodies.

So instead of sitting in an office chair or laying on the couch all day get up and move as much as you can.

• SPEND TIME WITH YOURSELF

Does not matter if you are in a relationship, single or married. Spending time alone with yourself is one of the best routes to self love. 

Regardless of your  Personality type (Introvert or Extrovert ) everyone can benefit from genuine alone time. Even if you have to cancel a social gathering in order to make it happen DO IT.

   - Go for a walk

   - Meditate

   - Go to the movies by yourself

   - Go out, get familiar with your city

   - Go to an art show

   - Do Yoga

Learning to get comfortable in who you are is a crucial aspect to cultivating self love.

• WATCH WHAT AND HOW YOU EAT

If you constantly feed your body with junk food, you will feel like junk.
   - Eat healthy
   - Avoid late night eating
   - Avoid binge eating
   - Drink water 
   - Eat fruits 
   - Eat when you are actually hungry 

• MAINTAIN A GOOD SLEEP CYCLE

A good sleep is very important to our health. Unfortunately people now sleep less thn they did in the past. The way we sleep can either deprive, uplift and energize us.
  - Poor sleep can make you fat
  - Good sleep improves productivity and concentration
  - Good sleepers tend to eat fewer calories
  - Poor sleepers are at a greater risk of heart diseases and stroke
  - Poor sleep is linked to depression
  - Sleep affects emotions and social interactions 
  - Limit any exposure to electronic light within two hours of going to bed

When the lights go out it is a time to cuddle or have sex, not a time to check your Instagram stories.

• LISTEN TO GOOD MUSIC

Music have been known to improve mood, decrease pain and anxiety.

If you are ever in need of an emotional boost, it takes 15 minutes only of listening to your favorite tunes to get a natural high. This is because the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that leads to increased feelings of happiness and excitement when you listen to music you like.

Playing soft music in the background and sometimes dimming the lights during a meal can help people slow down while eating and ultimately consume less food in one sitting. 

BONUS POINT:

• MAINTAIN YOUR BOUNDARIES

Write a list of the things that you need emotionally, things that are important to you and that upset you or hurt your feelings when they are ignored or violated. They could include being listened to, getting sympathy when you’re hurt, being celebrated when you succeed.

Whatever is important to you is important. 

And when someone ignores what’s important to you or crosses your boundary, you’ll know because it hurts. Don’t ignore that. Your feelings are there to tell you what’s right and what’s wrong.

Let people know what your boundaries are and what you will and will not tolerate. If they apologize, you can forgive them. If they do not, or continue to ignore your boundaries and needs, you need to create consequences.