How To Celebrate International Day of Self-Love

February 14th is Valentine’s Day, and while we’re all familiar with what that day entails, February 13th marks a lesser-known holiday that honors a different kind of love. Valentine’s Day typically highlights romantic love between couples, but International Day of Self-Love is a celebration of a deeper, more intimate, and even more powerful relationship: the one you have with yourself.

“Think of it like putting your own oxygen mask on before you can help others. You can’t keep giving if your own cup is empty.”

What is Self-Love?

To put it simply, self-love can be defined as the love and regard for oneself and the actions taken to nurture one’s own happiness and wellbeing. While society readily emphasizes the importance of romantic love through novels, movies, TV series, and even reality shows, the idea of self-love being as important as romantic love is a difficult concept for many people to grasp.

History of Self-Love

The idea of ‘Self-Love’ has a very long history with exact origins unknown, though it seems to be a philosophy that different cultures around the world have developed independently. The ancient Greeks considered self-love to be one of six different types of love, with the others being romantic love/passion, deep friendship, playful or young love, love for everyone/charity, and longstanding love. 

In recent decades, the concept of self-love started to take hold in the US during the cultural revolutions of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s when people were exploring new ideas about love, community, and racial equality. 

Ways to Cultivate Self-Love

There is no perfect way to develop self-love. In fact, it’s right in the name. Each person’s journey towards it is wholly unique to them. What works for some may not work for others, but what generally helps in the pursuit of self-respect, confidence, and self-compassion are practices that emphasize creating time and space for oneself. 

With everyone leading such busy lifestyles, the idea of carving out time just for you can seem like a rebellious act in itself. But think of it like putting your own oxygen mask on before you can help others. You can’t keep giving if your own cup is empty. Whether you’re in a romantic partnership or single, everyone can benefit from self-love practices. 

Here are some easy ways to cultivate self-love:

Quit comparing yourself to others

Comparing our lives with the curated perfection we see as we constantly scroll social media can make us feel like terrible failures, even when we’re not. Take some time to analyze the way you might be comparing yourself to others, unfollow people that trigger you, and maybe even take a social media detox at least once a week.

Start a gratitude practice

Studies show that gratitude has a tangible impact on our mental health. Whether you start a gratitude journal or simply think about what you’re grateful for, take a few minutes each day to appreciate not only the good things in your life but also the good things about yourself. In what ways are you a kind person, a good friend, a loving partner or parent? What makes you unique? Gratitude for one’s life and oneself is key to developing self-love. 

Invest time in self-care

For some, this can be the hardest part. But no matter how busy you are, you can manage to find a few minutes each day to invest in yourself. Self-care practices can be as simple as taking a few extra minutes to luxuriate in the shower, buying yourself an electric neck & shoulder massager, or as impactful as joining a sports team, picking up a new creative hobby, or even taking that long-overdue vacation. No matter what you have the time and resources for, taking one small action to care for yourself each day can build feelings of self-love.

Treat your body with kindness

Health and fitness look different for everyone, but for the most part, studies show that eating more nutritious foods and moving your body can have a huge impact on your mental health. This doesn’t mean that you have to subscribe to a trendy diet or fitness craze. By simply eating more fresh, unprocessed foods and moving your body in a way that you enjoy everyday, you can drastically boost your energy and confidence. If you hate going to the gym, don’t! Instead try a hike, bike ride, or a fun dance class. Whatever will get you excited to move.Do A Digital Detox

Try naked yoga

Believe it or not, naked yoga is known to have positive effects on mental health, confidence, and overall well being. In fact, self-love is one of the most commonly reported benefits by naked yoga practitioners. By simply spending more time naked, you begin to develop a greater appreciation for the body exactly as it is, flaws and all. This appreciation becomes even more potent when nudity is paired with an empowering practice like yoga, as you can begin to also acknowledge the body for what it can do and how it helps you to move about in the world. 

Get started on your self-love journey with one of our naked yoga flows, workout programs, or guided meditations. Here’s to a more loving year!