Practice Self-Care and Self-Love this Valentine's Day

You’re out with friends, and everyone is sharing their stories about their lives. As you hear about each of their hectic daily routines, you compare them to yours. Somewhere during the evening, you conclude you must be the laziest person on Earth. You are not alone.

As Americans, we often associate self-worth with productivity. Accomplishing tasks and meeting goals aren’t bad things. But if your life lacks balance, you can suffer physical and mental consequences. And that’s where self-care and self-love come in.

In this blog, Caryn McAllister, PT, DPT, and the multidisciplinary team at High Quality Home Therapy share their thoughts on why giving yourself the gift of self-care and self-love on this Valentine’s Day can be a game-changer.

Why self-care and self-love matter

Let’s start this topic by defining what self-care and self-love really mean. For many of us, the knee-jerk reaction to these mere words is that they are superficial or selfish. Not so.

Self-care and self-love are about taking responsibility – not responsibility for that project at work or getting the laundry done, but for our own health and wellness. Self-care and self-love are all about intentionally performing actions that support our health and well-being. After all, you can’t complete your deadlines at work successfully, be a good parent, or have successful relationships if you don’t take care of yourself.

But that’s not all. Prioritizing self-care and self-love without draining your energy can enhance overall wellness and job satisfaction, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve sleep, according to research.

Varied strategies for self-care and self-love

Not surprisingly, self-care and self-love vary from person to person. Each of us has our own set of unique factors, so for each of us, self-care and self-love are regarded differently. Some principles common to self-care and self-love include:

Setting boundaries and learning to say no

Boundaries are knowing what you need and want, and sticking to them to protect your mental and physical wellness. So, when your well-meaning aunt tries to talk you into a day of shopping, and you are looking forward to a Saturday in your PJs watching movies, say “thanks but no thanks”, and ask for a raincheck.

Establishing a healthy work-life balance

Similarly, boundaries play a part in establishing a healthy work-life balance. This area is troublesome in the United States compared to its European counterparts. Research reports that American workers typically spend more hours at work, less time on vacation, and when they take days off, they feel guilty about it.

When striving for a healthy balance, take baby steps and start with things like working a consistent schedule. Working late and coming in early happens periodically, but if it becomes a habit, stress and guilt follow. As you make gains, incorporate setting realistic goals and expectations. Volunteering to head the big fundraiser at your child’s school may not be the best decision when it coincides with the busiest time at work.

Exploring activities you enjoy

Another strategy for self-care and self-love is to dive into hobbies and activities that bring you joy. If you love being outdoors, carve out time to take a walk on a local trail, travel, or hike with friends. If you’re on the go all the time, you sometimes forget the little things that bring you happiness.

Resetting your mind and body with massage therapy

Many people turn to massage therapy for self-care and self-love as a mental or physical reset. Nearly half of consumers have massages for health or wellness reasons, while 30% get a massage to relieve stress-related issues, according to research at the American Massage Therapy Association.

At High Quality Home Therapy, our highly trained and skilled therapists offer 60 to 90-minute massages in various massage styles, including Swedish, Thai, Ayurvedic, as well as pregnancy and postpartum massages. We offer massage therapy in our spa-like medical office or visit you at your home or office.

Our massages relax you and provide medicinal benefits, including increased blood circulation, stress relief from muscle tension, and mental effects, such as anxiety and depression.

A side benefit of enhanced blood flow is that it increases the flow of healthy nutrients and filters toxins. This scenario does wonders to boost your immune system.

If you’re ready to make self-care and self-love part of your wellness plan, treat yourself to the best Valentine’s Day gift ever. Contact High Quality Home Therapy in Stamford, Connecticut, to schedule a massage today. You can use our online booking feature or phone us.