Self-love and self-care are more important than ever, and February, the month of love, feels like the perfect time to talk about why we should be our own Valentine. Whether you’re an author struggling with creativity and deadlines or a reader trying to escape the chaos of the world, stress can take a toll. So, let’s talk about ways to treat yourself, reduce stress, and maintain your sanity.
Stay Connected (But Wisely) 📱
Reach out to real friends through phone calls, video chats, texts, or even a well-timed meme. If you can, get lunch or plan an in-person visit. While online communities can be great, too much time on them can sometimes add to your stress rather than relieve it. That brings me to the next point…
Limit Social Media and Doom Scrolling 🤯
Yes, things are bad. But refreshing your feed every five minutes isn’t going to make them any better. In fact, it can make you feel worse (and possibly give you chronic indigestion). Try deleting a few apps from your phone, setting time limits, or just stepping away. This is the steps that I took. It’s so easy to check social media before I’m even out bed. Deleting these apps from my phone has saved some of my sanity. I highly recommend doing it immediately. Your brain will thank you.
Relax Your Body to Relax Your Mind 🧠
You don’t need a fancy massage to release tension. Try stretching in a hot shower, soaking in an Epsom salt bath, or using heating pads on sore muscles. Take Tylenol and Ibuprofen (or their equivalent) to reduce physical pain. Pain and stress feed off each other, so managing physical discomfort can help ease your mental load, too. When you feel better, you feel better.
Buy Yourself a Little Something 🛍️
No, I’m not saying you should go on a shopping spree (unless you can afford it, in which case, live your best life). But a small, inexpensive treat, like a book, lip balm, candle, or snack, can bring a little joy to your day. Consider it a tiny guilt-free investment in your happiness.
Make Space in Your Space 🏠
I’m not asking you to Marie Kondo your whole house, but tidying up the space in your home where you spend most of your time can make a world of difference. A semi-organized, clutter-free space can give you a sense of control and peace, which is crucial during stressful times.
The Power of Touch ( My Favorite Self-Care) 👐 🐶
Hug your friends, touch a shoulder, hold hands, and snuggle your pets. Studies show that touch with people and pets you like/ love reduces blood pressure, lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), and increases oxytocin (the feel-good hormone). In other words, cuddling is science-backed self-care. Don’t underestimate the power of touch!
Reading…It’s Not Just Fundamental (My Second Favorite) 📖
Guess what? The same studies that proved that touch can reduce blood pressure and cortisol also proved that reading, whether aloud or quietly, can reduce these stressors. This is great news for readers and writers. Reading every day can be a significant form of self-care and love. And, for authors, having readers buy, read, and love our books reduces our stress! 😂 You can let us know you love our books by leaving awesome reviews at your favorite stores.
Love Yourself No Matter What 💌
At the end of the day, self-care isn’t about luxury…it’s about survival. Whether it’s limiting social media, soaking in a warm bath, hugging a loved one, or treating yourself to a new book, small acts of kindness toward yourself add up. For February, be your own Valentine and love yourself the way you should be loved. You deserve it. ❤️
Comments
We were on the same wavelength this week!
It is totally a theme! And timely, considering everything going on in the world. When the big stuff gets too hard, it’s the little things that keep you going. <3
Your writing is funny and informative, I have learnt a lot from it.