7 Ways to Practice Self-Love and Boost Your Confidence

Although self-care advocates suggest taking bubble baths and getting massages, loving yourself goes much deeper than splurging on such pleasures once in a while.

According to the American Psychological Association, self-love is respecting your own well-being and satisfaction. This can look different for everyone, so it’s important to base it on that you Feel appreciated and respected. Mind and Behavior Research Foundation Self-love is said to be actions that support physical, psychological, and spiritual growth.

Some critics believe that self-love is a modern concept and is simply selfish. They view self-love as excessive self-centeredness and narcissism. But self-love isn’t about having a grandiose sense of self or being stuck with self-importance. It means taking care of your own needs and recognizing that you have value.

While practicing self-love here and there can be an afterthought, it’s important to make it a daily practice in which you check in with yourself and treat yourself the way you treat your loved ones. Here’s how to incorporate self-love into your lifestyle.

Prioritize your well-being and mental health

Your physical and mental health is directly related to how you feel physically and how you feel mentally and emotionally. When you start loving and caring for your body, you also directly and positively affect your mental health. Eating well and sleeping well are important in maintaining well-being and preventing disease. This means making healthy food choices and getting enough sleep every night.

Regular exercise has a positive effect on your overall health because exercise lowers cortisol, the stress hormone, in your body.

Remember to take time to care for yourself and appreciate yourself. Try talking to a therapist through online therapy or turn to an app if you need some guidance.

Embrace self-compassion

When you admit your mistakes and accept your flaws with grace and without judgment, you show self-compassion. Dr. Kristen Neff’s widely accepted definition of self-compassion has three components:

1. Self-compassion: Feeling kind toward yourself instead of judgment, criticism, or shame
2. Common humanity: Recognizing we are part of a common humanity, because everyone makes mistakes, instead of seeing ourselves as isolated beings and as loving and connected.
3. Mindfulness: Seeing mistakes mindfully by keeping perspective and not over-identifying with your failures

Avoid self-comparison

When we’re jealous of our friend’s advertising or feel shortchanged because we gained 10 pounds while our neighbor is in great shape, it’s not hard to feel it. Social comparison can cause stress. Comparison and competition can motivate you in ways that are both unhelpful and harmful. More often than not, they bring us down due to stress, anxiety, guilt and shame.

Set boundaries to protect your peace

Drawing a line helps manage stress. Sometimes you have to say ‘no’ to work or to your family to conserve your energy. In monogamous relationships there is an unequal distribution of energy, control and concern. Recognize your needs and take time to think about yourself by setting boundaries.

Forgive yourself

Develop ways to stop self-loathing in any form. Forgive yourself for your past mistakes and find ways to heal. To incorporate self-love into your daily life, don’t dwell on mistakes and regrets. Instead of blaming yourself for things that may have been out of your control, turn to self-improvement.

A recent study It turns out that more forgiveness is linked to less stress and a reduction in mental health problems.

Surround yourself with supportive, loving people

Getting social support is very important. Reach out to family members, or invest in relationships with your friends and community if those relationships are strained or they’re not in the picture. Allow yourself to receive care and support from them as well.

Let go of toxic, draining and one-sided friendships. The goal is to have healthy interactions and people who believe in you, champion you, and help you become more, not less, you.

If you think you’re in love but aren’t sure, remember that a healthy relationship involves intimacy and deep emotional connection. Invest your time, energy, and care in platonic and romantic relationships that support, enrich, and restore you.

Choose a new perspective

Positive thinking doesn’t mean you’re choosing to ignore your problems. It means choosing a positive outlook as an approach to life that includes gratitude and many possibilities. Maybe it’s time to process your anger and release resentment or grudges, for example.

Blocking and fixating on anger and hatred toward others can be detrimental to our mental and emotional well-being. A practice of self-love and self-care can help address the root cause of the problem.

Say kind words to yourself. Positive affirmations can boost your self-esteem and reduce your social anxiety. Remind yourself that you are a kind person. Changing your perspective and focusing on the things you are grateful for and appreciating them can be incredibly uplifting and is another way to practice self-love.