Self-love and what it means.

What exactly is self-love?

Before a person is able to practice and feel self-love, we first need to understand exactly what it means.

 Self-love describes the appreciation for oneself, for your own person. It can grow through various actions that support our physical, mental, and spiritual growth.

Self-love means having a high appreciation for your own well-being and happiness. It also means taking special care of your own needs and not putting your well-being last to please others.

In short: Self-love is not settling for less than you deserve (and doing so without being selfish).

Self-love can mean something different for every person because we are all different and are moved and shaped by different things. Finding out what self-love looks like for you as an individual can be an important part of your own mental and physical health.

What does self-love mean to you?

It's okay if you don't have an answer to this question right away. For a start, it might mean the following:

Speaking with and especially about yourself with love.

Giving yourself priority.

Allowing yourself a break from negative self-judgment.

Trusting yourself.

Being true to yourself.

Forgive yourself if you are not honest with yourself or if you have not achieved or accomplished something immediately.

For many people, self-love is another way of practicing self-care. To practice self-care, we often need to return to basics and listen to our body and feelings.

This also includes allowing yourself breaks and time-outs. Eating healthily, but of course also sometimes treating yourself to your favorite food or a bar of chocolate.

Self-love means accepting yourself as you are in this moment, with everything you are. It means accepting emotions as they are right now and putting your physical, emotional, and mental well-being first.

Self-love can motivate you to make healthy decisions in life. When you value yourself, you are more likely to turn to things that promote your well-being and benefit you. These things can include healthy nutrition, physical activity, or time for yourself.

Ways to actively practice self-love can, for example, start by basing actions on needs rather than wants. By focusing on what you need, you turn away from automatic behavior patterns that get you into trouble, hold you in the past, or diminish your self-love.

Create space for healthy habits. Start truly taking care of yourself by reflecting that in what you eat, how you move, and how you spend your time. Do things not to "get them done" or because you "have to," but because you enjoy engaging with them.

A small beginning of self-love can start by taking a break at work with a cup of coffee and a delicious cake or by relaxing on the couch in the evening with a cup of tea and your favorite book. Try to take time for yourself and your feelings. Our therapy blankets can additionally help you to calm down, reduce stress, and focus on inner peace.