Love yourself first because that’s who you will be spending the rest of your life with. This quote has so much substance, we are always Mother Nature to everyone else, whether it be mother, sister,  laughter, partner or colleague. We need to first and foremost take care and love ourselves. Like they say on the plane on take-off, before helping anyone else we need to put the oxygen masks on ourselves. That’s exactly how we should live our lives, by making self-care our no 1 priority.

When we take care of ourselves, we can show up as our Best-Selves and when this happens, in turn everyone will give their best too. The more you give, the more you will receive. Pour Love in your
own cup so that it overflows. Love is the reason we are all here so give it freely without any conditions.

Show up for yourself everyday with these 20 self-care tips:

1) Strive for progress over perfection
2) Live in the moment, stop overthinking
3) Practice Gratitude daily
4) Check in with yourself emotionally
5) Saying no is a form of self-care too
6) Clear up your surrounding environment
7) Eat healthier
8) Move for at least 30 mins daily
9) Forgive yourself
10) Meditate
11) Give yourself permission to love your body
12) High 5 yourself daily in the mirror
13) Step outside your comfort zone
14) Spend more time outdoors
15) Celebrate the small wins
16) Find your happy place
17) Try journaling
18) Laugh more
19) Take time out whether it be a bubble bath or tea break in the garden
20) Slow down to smell the roses (literally), use all your senses

No 11 – Give yourself permission to love your body, such an important one, we have this stigma growing up that we shouldn’t be touching ourselves. We shy away from these discussions and feel that we will be judged but getting to know your body is a Love Language knowing how your body feels, what changes it goes through, which makes it easier to be aware of any health issues that come up, for e.g. breast examinations.
Our bodies are made to feel good and are primed for pleasure. A great example is the Clitoris, an amazing erogenous zone for pleasure and stimulation. Feed your senses and remember touch is an important part of this journey. Another Stigma subject is Masturbation, such a powerful way to get in touch with our bodies, but yet so many feel ashamed of even thinking about it. Understanding that you are worthy of sexual pleasure is a powerful thought. The benefits of self-pleasure are Orgasmic, it makes you a better partner and lover knowing what you like so you can communicate
that. Studies from Cincinnati Psychotherapy Institute show that your partner loves when you are confident with your body and women with poor body image don’t initiate sex says Kearney –Cooke as often. As Naomi Torres-Mackie, PhD, head of research at The Mental Health Coalition and a
clinical psychologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City says “Reminding yourself that you’re enough is key.”

On another level it is so healthy for you, gets blood flow cardio levels peaking, lowers blood pressure and helps with mental stability, clarity and your mood. Promotes Better sleep, strengthens your pelvic floor as well as enhancing healthy glowing skin. Self-Love pleasure with an enhancement
product is another different form of self-discovery pleasure that will send the right signals throughout your body. Interestingly enough Self Love and Toys have kinked up since Lock Down. These activities are the new rage because it has an amazing effect on our immune systems, promoting self-esteem by stimulating the happy hormones, serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. Go ahead and scroll through and see the different items that you could be adding to your pleasure journey, https://linktr.ee/TheArtOfIntimacyByLeighAnn Self-Experimenting is such a great way to see what you like, try this, dance by yourself, wearing soft, lacy lingerie and just move your body sensually to some of your favorite songs for e.g., fifty shades songs are always a great example of sexy tunes. We live such rigid lives and need to set our bodies free with getting out our comfort zones, this is a really good way to start.
I leave you with a quote by Rupi Kaur, “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you” Be in Love with yourself every day, Self-Love is a state of appreciation for oneself, accepting yourself and knowing you are enough.