Shen Dove

personal style, musings and inspiration

Self Love: 14 ways to Celebrate Yourself on Valentine’s Day

Romantic love is amazing! But don’t forget to show yourself some love and attention this Valentines Day. So though I don’t take much stock in “made up” holidays like Valentine’s Day, I like any excuse to practice and promote self care and self love. After all, your relationship with yourself is just as meaningful and important as your relationships with your romantic partner, children, friends, community, etc. Read on for some ideas on how to show yourself some love and appreciation this Valentines Day.

  1. Give yourself a pat on the back by writing a reverse bucket list about your accomplishments.
  2. Take a some time to sit in stillness and Meditate.
  3. Call or text your person/people. It’s so easy to forget to check in with your loved ones and
  4. If cooking is relaxing for you, Cook yourself a meal either from scratch or from a meal kit.
  5. Order your favorite meal from your favorite local restaurant. If you’re feeling social, you can sit down to dine or if you’re not so social, order for takeout.
  6. Go on a solo date to the movies see a movie that’s been on your list to see (Black Panther anyone??)
  7. Re-read a childhood favorite book. For example now is the perfect time to start re-reading before the film comes out next month!
  8. Watch your favorite comedy show, series, or stand up routine. Laugh out loud over silly humor.
  9. So many of us are sleep deprived, so take some time to get much needed sleep.
  10. Exercise outside by doing things like taking a walk, jogging, hiking, or doing a short HIIT workout.
  11. Clean your space (or hire someone else to help if you can).
  12. Get yourself flowers (an inexpensive arrangement from the grocery store is just fine), and place them somewhere you’ll see them regularly.
  13. For the extroverts: Host a dinner with loved ones and be the life of the party with music/dancing, board games, or other fun activities.
  14. For the introverts: Give your self at home spa treatments like pedicures and face masks. You can get a nice selection of items you’ll need from your local drug store or if you have more expensive taste, head to the closest Sephora to stock up on Korean Beauty favorites.

Image Source: Unsplash

7 Tips to Fight the Winter Blues

I appreciate aspects of  each weather season, but wintertime is not when I feel like I’m at my personal peak. Spring is my absolute favorite season closely followed by Spring. But since I don’t have any plans on the horizon to move to a temperate climate and I can’t literally hibernate until the end of March, I have to deal. Maybe you’re the same way? If you need some inspiration to get through the remainder of this winter season, read on.

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Elevate Your Epsom Salt Baths This Winter

Self-care can come in all shapes and forms.  One of my favorite, inexpensive ways to practice self-care on a regular basis during the winter months is to take baths.  Taking baths can help your body eliminate toxins and relax at the same time.  Take your bath to the next level by using essential oils, which provide antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits, along with common household items like baking soda, Epsom salts can help flush impurities from the body by allowing it to sweat out toxins (source).  Epsom salt is also a source of magnesium.  Magnesium is found in food sources and can also be assimilated through the skin.  Magnesium is responsible for several key biochemical reactions in the body.  Here are 3 simple bath salt combos to try to elevate your next Epsom salt bath.

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The Importance of Self-Care + 23 Self-Care Ideas

Self-Care

People from all walks of life; from working mothers/fathers, political activists, business owners, caretakers of the old or young, career driven folks, and everyone in between tend to look after the needs of loved ones before themselves. But it’s important to remember that self-care isn’t selfish. Self-care helps you to manage stress, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a prolonged bout of stress can affect your health and ability to cope with life (source).  So, self-care is truly vital to your mental and physical health. Self-care does not have to be expensive or take up a lot of time out of your busy schedule. But it sometimes can be overwhelming to think about self-care rituals with so many other tasks that need to fit into daily life. So if you’re in need of inspiration on building a self-care practice, check out the ideas below:

  1. Meditate or Pray.
  2. Sage your living space.
  3. Take a yoga class.
  4. Do your favorite exercise of choice (running, swimming, dancing, HIIT, cross training, Pilates, etc.)
  5. Draw or color in a coloring book (there are plenty of coloring books out there geared toward adults).
  6. Give yourself a facial with ingredients you have in your kitchen (for example: a yogurt, honey, strawberry mask).
  7. Wash your hair and do a deep conditioning treatment.
  8. Pick up hobby you rarely make the time for and devote some time to it on a weekly basis, even if it’s as little as 15 minutes a day.
  9. Call your bestie, Mom, Auntie, or Grandmom. Then makes plans to meet up with them.
  10. Cook a favorite meal or order take-out.  Try using your best dinnerware, and slowly savoring your meal.
  11. Take a bath with your favorite bath salts and essential oils. Light some candles and turn on your favorite music playlist.
  12. Go to a bookstore and read your favorite magazines with a cup of coffee or tea.
  13. Take a walk, jog, or hike.
  14. Get a massage.
  15. Get a mani/pedi with your bestie or by yourself.
  16. Research and plan your next vacation even if it’s far into the future.
  17. Take a book to the park and read.
  18. Watch your favorite stand up comedy special or episodes of TV sitcoms that always make you laugh.
  19. Write in your journal.
  20. Write down your favorite affirmations.
  21. Listen to your favorite podcast.
  22. Schedule counseling, therapy, or coaching sessions if you feel it would be beneficial to you.
  23. Get a full night’s sleep.

BONUS IDEAS: Go to your place of worship for a service, have a prayer call or meeting with loved ones, cuddle with your pet, take a social media break, dance around your living room, volunteer for a cause you believe in, congregate with your tribe on a regular basis so your community can lift you up.

There are countless other ideas for self-care rituals, but regardless of what practice you implement, be sure to build it into your schedule regularly.