You’ve probably come across the term “self-love” before, but what exactly does it mean? Perhaps self-love might sound like a cheesy, cliche self-help tip or a luxury that not everyone can afford. The truth is, self-love is necessary for mental wellness and overall wellbeing, and everyone should be practising it. In a world dominated by social media and comparison, we may be putting ourselves down for not being as “perfect” as we’d like to be, without even realising it ourselves. This is exactly why there’s a need to be more mindful of our thoughts and the way we’re treating ourselves.
Self-love is the act of prioritising your needs and not sacrificing your wellbeing to please others. Being nice to yourself, taking a break and engaging in healthy habits are all part of self-love.
How to Practise Self-Love
So, how can you better cultivate self-love? Pampering yourself from time to time is a great way to get started. The act of pampering yourself relieves stress and promotes relaxation, triggering the release of “feel-good” hormones in your body like serotonin and oxytocin. Relaxation can do wonders for your body, including lowering blood pressure, reducing fatigue and improving sleep quality.
How to Pamper Yourself
Contrary to popular belief, pampering yourself doesn’t have to be an expensive or elaborate affair – anything that makes you happy and relaxed is an act of self-love.
Here are some ideas to get your started on your next self-pampering sesh:
1. Put on a facial mask.
Sometimes, all we need is some time away from our screens and phones to feel rejuvenated again. Go ahead and put on your favourite facial mask, close your eyes and empty your mind for 20 minutes, or as long as you like.
2. Take a bubble bath.
In today’s fast-paced world, it may be difficult to take a long and relaxing bath. Every now and then, make time for a nice soak in the bath. Bath bombs and essential oils are also great additions to pamper yourself further.
3. Send yourself some flowers.
Yes, there’s nothing wrong with sending yourself flowers! And no, you don’t need a special occasion for that. Whether you want to give yourself some encouragement for a challenging week ahead or just want to show yourself some love, you can’t go wrong with sending flowers. Bearloon’s flower hampers will make gorgeous gifts for yourself!
4. Indulge in your favourite foods.
There’s no better way to treat yourself than to indulge in your favourite foods. Experiment with food recipes, go to a fancy restaurant or order food delivery – whatever you are feeling up for!
5. Treat yourself to a massage or manicure.
While regular massage or manicure sessions may not fall within your budget, you can definitely treat yourself once in a while. Otherwise, consider investing in some massage and nail tools for a more budget-friendly home pampering session.
6. Read a book.
Do you have a book that you’ve been wanting to read, but just never had the time to do so? Well, it’s a sign for you to start making time for it! There’s no better way to wind down after a long day than curling up with a good book and a warm cup of tea.
7. Sleep in.
It may not sound like much, but sleeping in will allow your body to reset and recover from the stresses of daily life, making it one of the greatest forms of self-care. So go ahead and sleep in during the weekends!
8. Go for a picnic.
Get some fresh air and a good dose of vitamin D with a picnic. Pack your favourite foods and perhaps a good book to accompany you as you soak up the sunshine.
9. Go on a trip.
It may not be possible to go on an overseas trip now with pandemic restrictions, but there’s no stopping you from going on a day trip around Singapore!
10. Get moving.
A healthy body is a healthy mind. Dedicate some time to your favourite exercise routines – it could be running, walking, hiking, doing pilates or practising yoga. Did you know that when you exercise, your body releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins? Now, that’s one more reason to get moving!
Ready to start pampering yourself? Browse Bearloon SG’s catalogue and send yourself a flower hamper today. You deserve it!