Tips for Showing love to yourself and others this Valentine's Day!

Valentine’s day is fast approaching: the day of love and affection. Now more than ever we need to show a little bit of love. Whilst Valentine’s Day is usually associated with romantic love, this year, we have decided to use the season of love as an opportunity to show everyone we care about just how much we appreciate them, as well as being more mindful about our acts of self-love.

During these strange times it can be easy to feel overwhelmed, so it is more important than ever to connect with those we care about, and show them we value them. And whilst there is no denying that this year’s celebrations are going to be a little bit different, there are still plenty of ways you can fill the 14th of February with love and appreciation.

We have put together a few tips for how you can demonstrate your love for others and yourself this Valentine’s Day.

L - Listen

Listening to others is one of the most authentic and genuine ways of showing you care. It can be especially hard at the moment to stay connected but taking time out of your day to call or Zoom with the people you care about most, and really tuning in to what they are saying, is a great way to show them you are thinking about them and value them. Feeling heard and understood, especially in harder times, will really help you to connect, even if you can’t be together.

Show yourself some love by listening to your body. This sounds simple, but it can be tricky with the stresses and challenges of day-to-day life. Sometimes even though our bodies feel fatigued, tired, and lethargic, we don’t allow ourselves to slow down due to responsibilities or fear we won’t meet others’ expectations. Make sure you are giving yourself a break and setting aside some “me-time” to pamper yourself, and relax after the stresses of the day. Why not treat yourself to an at-home Spa session? Pour yourself a relaxing bubble bath, diffuse some calming or refreshing Forever Essential Oils such as Peppermint or Lemon and treat yourself to an Aloe Bio-Cellulose Mask. Perfect.

O – Be Open

Be open to trying new things. Has your friend or relative told you about a new hobby that they have been meaning to try but never gotten round to it? Why not take it up as a new hobby together? It may sound strange when everything is virtual nowadays, but there is a vast array of different things online that you can try, from online courses and hobbies, to exercise classes and groups. Taking up a new skill or hobby together is a great way to create memories lasting beyond Valentine’s Day, and is a brilliant way to show them you know them.

Pushing yourself to try something new is also a great way to boost your mood. Whether that’s a new recipe to put your culinary skills to the test, or trying out that hobby you have been meaning to have a go at. That exercise you thought you couldn’t do? Be open and have a go! Physical activity can boost your mental health and improve your mood because of the release of endorphins, and it is a great way to show some love to your body too.

V – Value

Showing them how much you value them doesn’t have to cost the earth. Instead of buying expensive gifts why not send them a personalised postcard or write them a letter? Making cards is a great way to get crafty and try something different, and if you have children it is a great activity to do together. Writing a letter is also a wonderful way to express how much you care, and is a great surprise gift that they can cherish. It is also a sweet thing to do for your significant other. Whether you send them something in the post if you aren’t living together, or leave a note on the kitchen counter if you are, this cute gesture is a tangible, lasting, and personal way to tell them you love them.

Valuing yourself is also a great way to boost your mood and show some love. We are naturally much better at being our worst critics than our biggest fans, so every morning try thinking or writing down ten things that you are grateful for or have achieved. This affirmation is a great way to start each day with a brighter outlook and look for the positives in each day, no matter how big or small.

E – Engage in acts of kindness

If you are looking for ways to share love on Valentine’s Day that do not focus on materialistic goodies, why not try and participate in a few random acts of kindness. Next week is also Random Acts of Kindness week, so what better time to show some love?

Helping others has been shown to be good for our own mental health; it helps reduce stress and can improve our overall wellbeing. This means that being kind to someone can not only make them feel supported and cared for, but can also makes us feel good too. Random acts of kindness, however small, can have the power to brighten someone’s (and your) day.

Whilst many things have changed because of Covid-19, the ways in which we can show kindness have remained the same. A few examples of random acts of kindness that you can try now and at any time could be:

• Posting a note through your neighbour’s door to check in with them, particularly if they are vulnerable.
• Tell someone you love how much they mean to you.
• Donate to your local foodbank or to a charity that is close to your heart.
• Check in regularly with your colleagues and ask how they are feeling with the change in working routine.
• Perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to be kind to yourself.

These acts don’t have to be big gestures. During this challenging time, people have been coming together and are supporting one another; and we are showing that, even in some of the most difficult times, we can all choose to be kind.

No matter how you express your love, showing others, and yourself, that you care not only makes them feel valued and appreciated, but also boosts your mood and happiness too. Engaging in these simple but meaningful things can really help with your ability to be kind to yourself and to feel more connected to those around you. This Valentine’s Day, take the time to thank the people who make our lives richer and to express our own precious feelings of love.

What ways will you be showing your loved ones (and yourself) that you care this Valentine’s Day? Let us know in the comments.