14 Ways to Love Your Body from the Inside Out

This Valentine’s Day is dedicated to loving yourself more and taking care of your mind and body. As the annual day of love approaches, what better way to celebrate love than with some self-care? Here are 14 ways to love your body from the inside out: 

1. Get a Good Sleep 

Who doesn't love getting deep and consistent sleep? Benefits include improving mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Sleep can also impact immunity, cardiovascular health, brain function, mood, and memory! Show yourself some love by starting your morning with a satisfying sleep, giving your body much-needed rest, and providing you with the energy you need to take on the rest of your day. 

2. Drink enough water 

It should go without saying that water is a crucial factor in body health, but we’ll say it anyways. Water is essential to the digestive, urinary, excretory, and circulatory systems. It helps regulate our body temperature while keeping our skin and hair healthy and hydrated! Drinking enough water is a great way to take care of yourself and can help relieve headaches, bloating, constipation, and dehydration. 

3. Stretch every day 

Have you ever watched a cat wake up from a nap? The first thing it does is stretch. Stretching can help improve flexibility, circulation, relaxation, and posture. It can help reduce both the risk and impact of injury and is also stress-reducing. Adding something as simple as a quick stretch to your morning routine can help support your body throughout the day! 

4. Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains 

Fruits and vegetables help deliver essential vitamins and nutrients to your body, while whole grains provide a source of fiber - which helps with body regulation. Consuming these often helps balance your diet, contributing to a balanced lifestyle. Caring for your body means giving it the right fuel to succeed and help you feel good! 

5. Take care of your oral health 

Oral care is self-care! In addition to preventing issues like gum disease and tooth decay, regular mouth maintenance can affect your gut and heart health! It can be as simple as brushing and flossing your teeth and using products like fluoride rinse for extra protection. Your mouth health can indicate underlying health issues, so regular check-ups can help keep you in touch with your body. Not to mention that taking care of your smile can help boost confidence! 

6. Take deep breaths 

If you’re feeling tense or stressed, did you know that taking deep breaths works as a calming exercise? Intentional breathing helps you connect back to the present moment! Sometimes we take breathing for granted but taking a few slow and deep breaths throughout the day can help lower blood pressure and decrease stress and anxiety levels. There are different breathing techniques and apps to help you, but if you find your body tensing up, remember that you can help your nervous system to calm down! 

7. Wear comfortable shoes 

It's important to feel supported. Your feet are the ultimate form of support for your body. Regularly wearing uncomfortable or improper shoes can affect your feet, ankles, knees, hips, back and posture. Working a long day in unsupportive shoes can be painful. Switching to comfortable shoes, you may have more energy and a longer-lasting positive mood. There are many ways to take care of your feet but supporting what supports you is a great start. 

8. Get outside 

Inside is comfy, but the great outdoors boasts fresh air, beautiful views, and sunlight! Natural light affects your circadian rhythm and boosts vitamin D levels - which are linked to happiness and are stress relieving. Take care of yourself by moving your body and just getting outside for a walk, hike, bike ride, or even to sit in nature. Studies show that your brain activity is different outdoors, show your brain some love! 

9. Get physical 

Physical activity releases endorphins, which make you feel good and can help with your mental and heart health. There are many ways you can engage in physical activity that aren’t classic exercise techniques. For example, yoga, dancing, and walking can help you get a sweat going. It’s hard to make time during the week, but at-home exercise or outdoor walks a few times a week can drastically improve your overall health. You don't have to commit to intense workouts; light to moderate activities can show some love to your body. 

10. Book a massage 

Massages are one of those health exercises that feel like a treat but are so beneficial to your body! Regularly receiving massages can alleviate stress, anxiety, headaches, fatigue, and more. They allow you to connect to and heal your body. In addition to positive physical and mental effects, massages provide the ultimate perk: relaxation. 

11. Read something 

Read something, anything! Whether you're diving into a short story, engaging in active learning, or even reading the ingredients on household items, reading helps improve focus and vocabulary and stimulates your mental energy. You don’t need to grab a 1000-page novel for some mental heavy lifting, but you can dedicate some time here and there to read up on a subject that interests you. Reading helps with empathy, stress, and even sleep, contributing to your overall wellness. 

12. Practice mindfulness 

What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is a technique that helps you pay attention to the present moment. It has increased in popularity and can help with stress and relaxation, calmness, getting in touch with your body and improving focus. It's a way to bring your attention back to your body while strengthening your mind. 

13. Set boundaries 

Loving yourself means taking care of yourself. Sometimes this is knowing when to set boundaries in your personal life and relationships. Of course, giving love to the people in your life is a great way to connect. But do you find you sometimes give too much of yourself and don’t have enough energy left for you? Setting personal boundaries helps you feel empowered and ultimately strengthens your interpersonal relationships. It will help you determine your value system and evaluate what's important to you in addition to improving your overall well-being. 

14. Practice self-gratitude 

Self-appreciation is an often-overlooked practice. Be kind to yourself, think nice things about yourself, and focus on what makes you feel proud. Positive thinking, especially about yourself, impacts your state of mind and improves your inner dialogue. Talk to yourself like a friend. Show a little love and watch as your mindset shifts. 

Be proud because taking care of yourself is not easy! Growing up means learning to survive, but how do you learn to take care of yourself? Today, focus your love where it needs to be, on you! You can use these suggestions to love your body both inside and out. Take time to stay healthy and set yourself up to succeed. Love shows up in many ways. This Valentine’s Day, make sure you show up for yourself!