Self-love is super important in helping you feel worthy, valued, and fulfilled. It is also a way to teach others how to treat you. When you love yourself, you are more likely to look after yourself, your health and your wellbeing. This means you will also be more fulfilled and able to then give more of yourself to others, if you desire. Remember, you can’t give from an empty cup. So, the fuller your own cup, the happier you will be and the more you will be able to give. An empty cup leads to resentment, frustration, self-loathing, illness and sadness. So here are 10 ways to help you create self-love.

1. Nourish your body with nutrient dense food. You wouldn’t put crap fuel into your car so don’t do it to your body. Most people look after their car so it can continue to get them around, yet don’t do the same to their bodies. How far do you think you will get if you continue to abuse your body?
2. Move. The more you move the better your body will perform. The better you perform the more capable you feel. The more capable you feel the more confident you feel.
3. Take at least 10 minutes out each day to do something for yourself, by yourself. This could be reading, watching something, meditating, going for a walk, anything you enjoy.
4. Wear clothes that make you feel good. They don’t have to be expensive. Just put some effort into feeling nice in what you wear.
5. Live in accordance with your values. If you value honesty, then don’t lie. If you value punctuality, then try not to be late to anything. If you value not being judged, then don’t judge. Identify your core values and live in accordance with them.
6. Be kind to yourself. If you are not feeling well, take time to rest, don’t power through. If you make a mistake, learn from it and move on, don’t beat yourself up. If you aren’t feeling amazing, encourage yourself as you would others, don’t beat yourself up.
7. Talk to yourself and about yourself, the same way you would about your loved ones, best friend or your child. You wouldn’t be cruel to them, so don’t be cruel to yourself.
8. Live with gratitude. Each day end your day with a gratitude list. List everything you are grateful for from the day gone. It is difficult to feel down about yourself when you live with love and gratitude.
9. Write down in large writing, 5 things you love about yourself. For example, you might be a loyal friend, you might be great at keeping secrets, you might be honest, you may have a nice smile, you may be reliable, you may be a great cook, etc. Then put this list up somewhere you are going to see it and read it every day. This is a good reminder for the tough days.
10. Put your needs first. You can’t help someone else if you are struggling. Meet your needs first every single day, and you will be able to give more to others. Think about the emergency evacuation instructions on a plane; you must fit your oxygen mask on before helping others. In First Aid training, the first thing you are taught, is look out for danger. You can’t help the patient if you collapse.

–  Coach Terri