Valentine's Day is here and you know what that means – hearts, teddy bears, and flowers everywhere. However, amid these romantic symbols, the demands of modern life can weigh us down. Whether it's the expectation to have Valentine's Day plans or pursue a relationship, it's common for people to experience stress or low moods during this month.

The great news is that, even though it may be more difficult for some people compared to others, anyone can learn how to practice self-love. 

The self-positivity bias

Did you know the scientific term for self-love is actually self-positivity bias? Self-positivity bias is defined as “the way people rate themselves as having more positive personality traits and displaying more positive behaviors than the average population.”

Here are some of the evidence-based benefits of self-love or self-positivity bias: 

• Better mental health
• More self-acceptance
• Higher self-esteem
• Increased self-awareness
• Less anxiety
• Better sleep
• Happier mood

Even though this concept may be more difficult for some people compared to others, anyone can learn how to practice self-love. Rather than share a whole essay on self-love tips or practices, these a few of our favorite (and most practical) ways we cultivate self-love:

How to Practice Self-Love

At its core, practicing self-love is about giving ourselves grace. It helps us appreciate our journey more in a kind, loving, and respectful way.

Still unsure where to start? Here are four simple tips to help you get going:

Make time for what you love

Making time for what you love, like cooking, painting, or reading, is a way to practice self-love. It doesn’t have to be overcomplicated or stressful. In fact, people with hobbies may be less likely to experience stress, low mood, and depression.

Create personal rituals

A ritual is a meaningful practice with a deep sense of purpose. Whether your ritual is making a hot cup of matcha in the morning, meditating, or journaling, make sure to set time aside from your busy day for yourself.

Be intentional with your words

Pay attention to how you talk to yourself. Are you overly critical or harsh? Practicing self-love involves being intentional with your words, treating yourself with kindness, and offering the same compassion and understanding you would extend to a friend.

Make time for self-reflection

Sometimes things just don’t go according to plan – and that’s okay. Setting aside time to reflect, whether it be journaling, spending time with a trusted friend, or meditating, can help you learn and grow.

Sources:

Asghar, A. (2022). The science of self-love: The evidence-based benefits of loving yourself. Ness Labs. nesslabs.com/self-love. 

Khoshaba, D. (2012). A seven-step prescription for self-love. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/get-hardy/201203/seven-step-prescription-self-love

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3855207/