Famed poet Charles Bukowski once said, “If you have the ability to love, love yourself first.”
Self-love is a journey of self-discovery; as with any uncharted quest, the process of loving oneself can often be daunting, overwhelming, or seemingly impossible. More than that, it can seem pointless…until the moment you do a little something for yourself – just you.
Pledging to love yourself is very much like honoring a work commitment – you have to show up at the start of each new day, clock in, and do the work. It isn’t glamorous, and there are no shortcuts, but by learning how to love yourself, you teach others how they should treat you; remember, we accept the love we think we deserve.
By putting your mind, body, and spirit first, you honor the sacrifices you’ve made along the way to get to where you are today. You acknowledge every painful experience and confront it head-on because those pain points have yet to fully conquer you – practicing self-love is proclaiming they won’t.
But, what does self-love look like? The Oxford Dictionary offers a relatively simple, straightforward definition: “regard for one’s own well-being and happiness (chiefly considered as a desirable rather than narcissistic characteristic).”
In reality, self-love will look very different, varying from person to person. For some, it’s a sheet mask and a quiet bubble bath, while for others, it’s a freshly prepared homecooked meal. Mundane tasks that put you at ease – whether that’s taking a break from work for some well-deserved T.V. time or something like creative writing – are a form of self-love because they add value to your life by calming your mind, body, and spirit.
Above all else, self-love requires patience. You must remember to be kind to yourself by showing yourself patience when even the mundane seems too overbearing – and you don’t have to go at it alone.
At Avesta Ketamine and Wellness, we specialize in ketamine therapy as well as IV vitamin infusions to take on a more holistic approach to your overall well-being. Whether you’ve celebrated Galentine’s Day or simply are in need of an extra boost, then our IV vitamin infusions, particularly the Myer’s cocktail, are the best option to restore your physical wellbeing. However, if you’re struggling with mood disorders or chronic pain, consider contacting your physician today to discuss the possibilities behind ketamine therapy.
Remember, with Valentine’s Day taking over every square inch of marketing space (both physical and digital), it’s important to keep perspective. Whether you’re spending the holiday with that special someone, or more impressively, you’re going at it with me, myself, and I, take some time to ask yourself to be your own valentine – because you’re worth it!
Here are a few of our self-care and self-love tips:
- Take a stroll
Whether it’s alone or with a loved one (especially a furry one), taking a short walk is a great way to reset your mind. At the least, it’s time away from the world to concentrate on you and you alone.
- Bake your favorite dessert
Satisfy your sweet tooth and your soul by baking yourself your favorite treat; we recommend something warm.
Pro Tip: don’t forget the chocolate!
- Hug someone
Did you know? Hugging someone for approximately 20 seconds or more releases the feel-good hormone, oxytocin, which has been shown to boost the immune system and reduce stress (Das, 2019).
Resources:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hugging-for-20-seconds-a-day-may-reduce-your-stress-2zck2d7h6#:~:text=Hugging%20someone%20you%20love%20for,rate%20and%20improve%20your%20mood.
Photo by Hassan OUAJBIR: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-doing-hand-heart-sign-1535244/
Author Dr. Ladan Eshkevari, PhD, CRNA, FAAN Dr. Eshkevari is the lead clinician at Avesta, and is a long time researcher and educator in physiology, biophysics, and anesthesiology. She is passionate about assisting patients with retractable, difficult to treat mood disorders, and relies on the latest research to bring evidence to Avesta’s practice to better understand and serve patients.
