Free Printables, Monthly Motivation, Wellness

3 Ways to Love Yourself More (free printable)

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Monthly Motivation – Love Yourself

It’s no wonder people have a hard time accepting themselves these days. Social media is a fertile ground for shaming and bullying. And if you’re looking for ways to feel inadequate, just compare yourself to any perfect, airbrushed image that you see everywhere you look.

But how about we stop looking at what we aren’t? No one is or has it all, and I’d be willing to bet you could name something good about every person you know. So why not yourself? The most important first step to loving ourselves is to accept the person we are, at this moment.

Self-love has so many emotional, physical and mental health benefits that it should not be overlooked. I’m not talking about egotistical self-importance, but rather understanding your value and developing faith in yourself. Self worth leads to deeper, more fulfilling relationships and helps you to realize your potential. Read on for a few steps you can take to love yourself more.

Make yourself a priority

Sometimes we get so busy caring for others we neglect ourselves. I’ve talked before about how important it is to take care of yourself. This is so individual, so ask yourself: What relaxes you? Maybe a warm bath is what you need at the end of a long day. Others may find a walk in nature is the perfect antidote to stress. Only you can say what works for you. The point is to make yourself a priority and take the time to relax and rejuvenate.

Love the Vessel that Carries You

Get up and move. The old adage ‘motion is lotion’ really is true. You need to move to keep all those joints and muscles working smoothly. And if you’re in pain, it’s even more important. Walking, swimming, yoga and tai chi are all low impact exercises that will keep you moving and help you to feel better.

Additionally, if you have a job that requires sitting, get up and move for at least 5 minutes out of each hour. More is even better.

Eat clean. The saying “You are what you eat” is true. You can choose to eat food-like junk or eat clean. Eating clean not only provides your body with nutrients, but also helps you stay fuller longer. Focus on whole foods; fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, whole grains, nuts and seeds to get the nutrition your body wants and needs.

Get your sleep. When you don’t get enough rest, your productivity and health suffers. If stress is keeping you from getting a good night sleep, take action to reduce it (see above). If the cause is environmental, then address whatever it is that’s keeping you from getting at least 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep.

Forgive yourself

This is a biggie and holds many of us back. Are you still blaming yourself for something in your past, whether it was your fault or not? The only way to get past it is to forgive yourself and put it behind you. If this feels difficult, try and imagine what you’d say to a friend or loved one if they had done the same thing. Would you feel more forgiving towards them? Extend the same compassion to yourself. We all make mistakes, so learn, resolve to do better, and move on.

Love and accept yourself

I hope these tips help you to give yourself the love you deserve. You are lovable and beautiful, inside and out! And to help you remember, I’ve created a pretty printable!

Download your Be-you-tiful printable by clicking the button below

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