Practicing Self-Love This Valentine’s Day
By Molly Grazioso
Valentine’s Day is today, and whether you adore or dread the holiday, it provides the perfect opportunity to engage in some self-love. If you are like us, exhausted by what feels like endless Zoom calls and a constant stream of negativity in the news, then you will agree there couldn’t be a better time to take some moments to relax, disconnect from media, and reconnect with ourselves.
In honor of the season of love, I have compiled a list of fourteen self-care ideas to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day or to build more positive regular routines in your life. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Photos via pinterest & Siren Basics
Take a candlelit bubble bath.
Grab your favorite candles, bubble bath soap, bath bombs, or bath salts (and maybe a glass of wine or cup of tea), and take some time to soak and relax your muscles.
2. Take a yoga class, or meditate.
Yoga helps us manage stress better, and it has been found to boost feelings of alertness and happiness. Thankfully, with thousands of free yoga classes on YouTube, it’s easy to get started and make it a practice at home. If you’re read to commit, a personal favorite of Clover’s is the Peloton app. Mindfulness exercises like meditation can also have the same effect. The Headspace app and YouTube videos provide accessible guided meditations that are easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
3. Journal.
Write down positive affirmations; they have the power to rewire how you perceive your life. Make a list of things you are grateful for or things that make you happy. Or, write yourself a love letter, and name the qualities of yourself that make you most proud of who you are becoming.
4. Cook yourself a delicious meal.
Nourishing your body is both revitalizing and necessary. Food fuels our minds and bodies and gives us the energy to think and move. It can also taste a lot better when you prepare it yourself. Find a cookbook, online recipe, or maybe even try an online cooking class, and treat yourself to the nutrition your body deserves.
5. Learn how to make a new drink.
Play around with online recipes, and discover a new favorite coffee, tea, or cocktail variation. Bonus points if you try your hand at latte art.
6. Read a good book.
Take a break from scrolling through the news, and escape in a new (or old) book. Entering a new reality (or learning about a new nonfiction topic) can be liberating and inspiring.
7. Give yourself a manicure.
Having clean and beautiful nails can instantly make you feel refreshed and put together. And with so many online tutorials, you’ll never be short of nail art inspiration. Grab some polish, clear coat, press-on nails, or whatever it is you prefer to apply, and get started!
8. Spend time outside.
The (perhaps only) upside of the pandemic is that it encourages us to spend more time outside. No matter where you are, getting fresh air and some movement should be a priority every day. Take a walk, go for a hike, build a snowman, or do any other outdoor activity that is available to you. And if you are lucky enough to live somewhere warm, get that vitamin D and soak up all the sunshine you can (with safe amounts of SPF!).
9. Bake.
Treat yourself (or your close friends and family) to some baked goods. If you’re a Valentine’s Day traditionalist, TikTok provides lots of inspiration for making cute, heart-shaped cakes. And if you’re looking for a less intensive (but equally delicious) baking option, slutty brownies are always a good idea.
10. Make vision boards on Pinterest.
Create a visual representation of your goals in different areas. Visualizing our aspirations makes us more likely to achieve them. It’s also really motivating to dream about and plan a future that inspires you.
11. Create something.
Doodle, paint, build a clay mug, make some jewelry. Get your creative juices flowing; the possibilities are endless!
12. Experiment with a new look.
If you are interested in trying out new styles, now is the lowest-pressure time to do it. Experiment with different clothing styles and accessories, or maybe test a hair or makeup tutorial that you’ve been meaning to try. ‘Tis the season of being all dressed up with nowhere to go, after all.
13. Take a nap.
It is easy to succumb to the pressures of having to be “productive” or working all of the time, but rest is what energizes our bodies and allows us to rebuild. Sometimes all we need is a good nap—so, go get some sleep!
14. Splurge, and buy yourself something nice.
Valentine’s Day is, in many ways, a consumerist holiday, but there is nothing wrong with using a holiday as encouragement to treat yourself. If you happen to be in need of new skin or hair care products, reusable face masks, or simply want to indulge in some traditional valentine’s treats, we’ve compiled a list that you can check out below of some of our team’s wishlist products. Most of these items are on the pricier side, but we believe that in the long run, investing in quality purchases will only help you and better our environment.
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