Who says love languages only play a role in strengthening romantic relationships? Self-love is the most important form of love because it acts as a window to your soul, further empowering you to love others. This is why self-care is so important!
Believe it or not, you can use Dr. Gary Chapman’s “The Five Love Languages” on yourself whenever you need some pampering and “me time!” Keep reading to find out what self-care practices work best for you, based on your love language. (If you don’t already know your love language, take this quick test.)
Words of Affirmation
Words of affirmation are an especially crucial love language that we all need at various points in our lives. Whether we are dealing with professional setbacks or conflicting perspectives, we must motivate ourselves by praising ourselves or hearing positive feedback from colleagues and loved ones. Essentially, speaking or hearing words of affirmation will ultimately invigorate your self-confidence to conquer all odds!
If words of affirmation is your love language, showering yourself in affirmative words throughout the day will intensify your resolve to maintain a healthy work-life balance while helping you love yourself more. If you need some reminders throughout the day, hang a set of post-its on your desk that contain valuable feedback from the special people in your life. Those post-its will keep reminding you of your strengths and boost your mood.
Receiving Gifts
Indulging in a shopping spree completely devoted to yourself will make you feel special and loved. You can buy yourself that outfit you keep dreaming about or pamper yourself with a manicure.
However, a gift does not only have to be materialistic. You can treat yourself to a day off and plan a weekend getaway with your best friends or family! The possibilities are endless so treating yourself to exotic gifts will make you appreciate yourself a bit more.
Quality Time
Because of our hectic work schedules and family responsibilities, it is tremendously important that you take some time off and focus on me-time. If your love language is quality time though, a little bit of “me-time” is a necessity, but not always a commodity that people take seriously. We all deserve a break from the hullabaloo of life and need to spend some quality time with ourselves.
Pampering yourself with a spa day or even a relaxing bubbly hot water bath will relieve any type of stress you may experience. Or, if you just need a bit of solitude, close yourself off inside your home and curl up with a good book. Anything that lets you spend time with yourself will help you feel appreciated and likely help you grow as a person.
Physical Touch
Caressing your skin and hair are immaculate forms of self-care that you don’t always need a romantic partner for. If you enjoy physical touch, you can simply meditate and place your hand over your face to soothe your stress levels. This can also aid in releasing toxic thoughts from your mind, and you can do it all by yourself!
Acts of Service
Strive to make things easier for yourself by engaging in activities that increase efficiency and overall quality of life. For instance, write things you want to get done on your “To-Do” list and then get things rolling. Simply crossing each thing off will constantly remind you of the acts of service you do for yourself and others in your life. Even something as simple as cooking dinner for yourself will leave you with a sense of individual accomplishment. In other words, partaking in activities that maximize productivity and wellness will provide you with the tools to become more self-reliant and independent.
Self-care is an active part of our lifestyle and there is truly no “right” way to do it. We need to love ourselves first before we can gather the stamina to provide love to others. Also, remember that you are in control of your needs and desires. So don’t forget to give yourself the love and comfort you truly deserve!
Feature Image by Fernando Zamora from Pixabay
