What do you think of when you hear the words “self-love?” For many people, self-love isn’t usually something that sits at the top of the priority list. However, studies are showing that prioritizing compassion and love for oneself is more important for our mental health and well-being than we think. Here are some reasons on the importance of self-love:

Self-love improves physical health.

A recent study by the Universities of Exeter and Oxford found that practicing self-love switches off the body’s threat response and calms the heart rate. Researchers found that being kind to oneself in times of stress strengthens the immune system, lowers the heart rate, and lowers depression and anxiety. 

Dr. Hans Kirshner, who conducted the research at Exeter, said “These findings suggest that being kind to oneself switches off the threat response and puts the body in a state of safety and relaxation that is important and healing.”

Self love motivates you to make healthy choices in life.

When you hold yourself in high esteem, you are more likely to make decisions with respect to your well-being. 

This could be in the form of eating healthy, exercising or having healthy relationships. You practice love for yourself by choosing things that help you show up in life as the best version of you.

Self-love helps you set healthy boundaries. 

With the practice of self-love comes the understanding of your value. Your relationship with yourself sets the foundation for the relationships you have with others. When you value yourself with love and respect, you give permission for others to do the same. 

Having a clear understanding of your personal boundaries shows how you value yourself and allows you to have deeper, fulfilling relationships with others.

Self-love is empowering

Practicing self-love allows your confidence to boost and self-esteem to rise to greater heights. This in turn will motivate you to do bigger and better things. 

Lack of self-love decreases your ability to be successful, leading to failed businesses, relationships, or ideas. When you have self-love, you understand who you are to your core and you except yourself- flaws and all.

Self acceptance and compassion is a key ingredient to success and happiness in all aspects of life. 

Self love allows you to love others.

Think of yourself as a cup that constantly fills and empties throughout the day. The more love you give to yourself, the more your cup fills up. With a full cup, you are able to pour out onto others without completely emptying your cup (yourself).

Without filling your cup first, there is nothing left to pour out onto the people in your life.

The purpose of this metaphor is to paint a picture in your mind of the importance of prioritizing our personal well-being in order to be the best version of ourselves for the people in our lives. Everyone benefits!

“So now that I know all of these amazing benefits of self-love, how do I practice it?”

Start your journey of self-love by focusing on accepting yourself and the wonderful things about you. Put your energy into your strengths, rather than dwelling on or trying to fix your weaknesses. 

Take more time for yourself. It may seem impossible to find time in the day for me-time, but taking just 15 minutes a day to yourself will make a huge difference in your well being. This could look like a relaxing shower and skin care routine, a yoga flow, or a walk on the beach. Whatever fills your cup, do it!

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Resources: 

Study by Exeter and Columbia Universities: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/research/title_703807_en.html