Taking care of you this Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is the holiday of love. And while showering others with love is good to do any day, so is showing that same love to yourself.
Macro vs. micro self-care
When we think of self-care, we tend to imagine massages, vacations and face masks. But self-care is more nuanced than that.
It can be helpful to understand the difference between macro and micro self-care. Macro self-care is simply setting up habits that help you feel more peaceful each day. Maybe this means keeping a clean home, eating a healthy diet or establishing a gratitude practice. Micro self-care includes the small, special activities that help you relax and unwind in a healthy way.
Do you have a mix of both macro and micro self-care in your life? This Valentine’s Day, evaluate your self-care practices. Where in your life could you be taking better care of you?
Restart your resolutions
By the time February rolls around, many of us have broken our New Year’s resolutions. Research has found that less than 25% of people are still sticking to their resolutions after 30 days and only 8% of people get to the finish line with their resolutions.
There is no need to put pressure on yourself to be strict about your resolutions. But Valentine’s Day is a great time to check back in. What goals do you still want to accomplish? What small steps can you take to achieve them?
Unplug for the evening
Consider when the last time was that you turned off all electronics. These days, it’s easy to get overstimulated without realizing it. Between computers, cell phones, television and tablets, most of our daily activities depend on technology.
Commit to an evening that’s completely unplugged. Eat dinner at the table, read a book or take some time to reflect. If you share your home with others, this can be an ideal opportunity to connect and spend quality time together.
Schedule your preventive care
All too commonly, people only think about going to the doctor when something is wrong. But regular check-ups are an excellent example of macro self-care.
When was your last appointment with your primary care provider? If it’s been almost a year or more, schedule your annual exam now. These appointments are crucial opportunities to make sure your overall health is on track.
Reach out to an old—or new—friend
Some studies have shown that lack of connection with others is even more detrimental to our health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure. Alternatively, strong, healthy relationships can lead to lower levels of anxiety and depression, a stronger immune system and a 50% increased chance of longevity!
Reach out to connect with an old friend or take steps to make a new one. Invite a new coworker out for coffee or call an old friend. However you connect, research has shown that feelings of genuine connection are more important to your health and wellness than the size of your circle.
