We’ve heard the infamous saying “love yourself first” before loving someone else. In essence, loving yourself has to do with your actions. It’s about consistently carrying out these actions that are aligned to your heart, gut and intuition. If you’re telling yourself that you’re learning to love yourself but you’re overworking, not sleeping and eating unhealthily, you’re lying to yourself.

If we know that loving ourselves comes down to our actions, here are some of the actions we can take to make ourselves feel more loved..

1. Keep moving

Movement is important.  When we move around, we allow the various energies in our body to shift around. If we’re couch potatoes then our creative and emotional energies get trapped in our bodies which results in us remaining in our comfort zones for far too long. So, instead of sitting in one spot all day, get up and move as often as you can and get your blood pumping.

2. Focus on nutrition

The food that you put in your body is your fuel. If you’re constantly putting junk into your body you’re going to feel like junk. However, if you’re completely depriving yourself of foods that give you enjoyment, then you’re just eating for the sake of it. So, eat clean. Drink water. Have a generous intake of veggies, nuts and fruits. Limit the intake of processed foods. Enjoy food but in healthy moderation.

3. Say no to junk food for your brain

Junk food for your brain can come in the form of bad television, toxic relationships and news related information. Just like your body feels bad when you feed it awful things, your mood can also suffer when you feed your mind garbage. Try and limit the things you feed your brain.

4. Invest in your sleep

Sleep is important. It’s just as important as eating healthy. Sleep deprivation can either deplete us or energise us in the worst way possible. In order to invest in your sleep, get high quality blackout curtains and limit exposure to electronic devices before bed.

5. Spend your time wisely

If 2020 has taught us anything, boundaries need to be enforced in one’s life to pay more attention to the things that matter most to you. Say no to the people you don’t enjoy spending time with. Say no to things that don’t serve you and your core values. Spend time on things and people you enjoy.

6. Regularly make time for rest and relaxation

If you have a busy schedule, make sure you’re allowing yourself the time and space to breathe and relax. Take naps when you feel you need it. Rest and relaxation are vital in your self-love journey and occasionally, allow yourself to have no plans.

7. Spend time alone

Whether you’re single or in a relationship, spending time on your own and learning more about yourself is the best opportunity you can afford yourself. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, you can benefit from genuine alone time.

In the words of Justin Bieber, you should go and love yourself!