Loving Yourself This Valentine’s Day and Beyond

This Valentine’s Day is a season of love, of showering your special someone or significant other with affection and romance. However, have you thought about showing as much love to yourself this season–and even beyond?

We’re talking about self-love, something that involves taking care of yourself and putting your well-being and growth a priority. These days, self-love can be in short demand, as society, especially with social media, dictating us how to act and how to be, defining what happiness should be. As a result, we work so hard to fulfill the norms and expectations to the point that we’re unhappy and self-loathing.

Being in recovery can be no different. In fact, self-love after addiction can be highly challenging. There’s the shame, guilt, and anger that you may be aiming at yourself, in the name of the things that you have lost while you were in active addiction. You may also be very hard on yourself now, making your fears overcome what you love about yourself.

So, here are some tips on how you, as a recovering addict, as well as anyone, can love themselves this Valentine’s Day–and beyond.

Loving Yourself This Valentine’s Day and Beyond

1. Treat your body right. Give it lots of of healthy food, as well as enough sleep and rest.
2. Be active. Even if it means taking the stairs instead of the lift, exercising can do wonders to your health, well-being, and confidence.
3. Say “no” to negativity. Surround yourself with things and people that affirm you and make you grow. Avoid negativity like a plague.
4. Avoid stress. Avoid stressful situations as best as you can. However, if you can’t, learn about healthy ways to de-stress and unwind.
5. Be inspired. Whether it’s by reading inspirational books or going out into the outdoors, do things that inspire you and make you happy to be alive.
6. Meditate or pray. Even if you’re not religious, having a few minutes to meditate or just think about how your day will go, can do wonders to you.
7. Spend time with your loved ones. Have a dose of love and belongingness by being with the people who love and support you.
8. Be grateful. Always think about the things that you are grateful about. It doesn’t matter if these are just simple things, but having an attitude of gratitude can help you stay grounded and positive.
9. Help others. Seeing other people happy and smiling can be very good for your own mental health and disposition.
10. Reward yourself. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a slice of your favorite cake or a vacation–it helps to reward yourself once in a while with something healthy, positive and fulfilling.

Being kind to yourself, much more loving yourself, can be difficult. However, it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself, something that nothing and no one can take away. So this Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to give yourself some love as well.

For help with drug and alcohol addiction for yourself or your loved one, contact us at Bridges of Hope. Call or text 09175098826.