Be good to yourself: five tips for more self-love

Whether in our private or professional lives, most of us ensure that we treat our fellow human beings fairly, openly and with compassion. But one important thing often gets neglected: being truly good to oneself. Ask yourself, and be honest: do you love yourself? It’s time to be kinder to yourself. That’s why we’ve selected five smart tips to foster more self-love.

Tips for more self-love #1: Spend more time with yourself

Quality time with a partner or best friend is super important to develop and maintain a healthy relationship. But wait: you’re hardly spending any quality time with yourself. Time is the foundation of getting to know oneself better. So, make a date with yourself – that’s right – and enjoy some time alone. Whether you prepare a special dinner, watch a romantic movie or transform your bathroom into a working spa – treat yourself. Just make sure you leave your smartphone switched off.

Tips for more self-love #2: Start a dialogue with yourself

Okay, so a dialogue with yourself sounds a bit strange. But we don’t mean that you should start talking to your reflection in a mirror. Instead, it can sometimes feel good to ask yourself during a quiet moment: How am I doing today? And why do I feel a certain way? Also, don’t forget to add a word of praise every now and then. If you’ve performed well at something – a job, for example – then it’s okay to acknowledge your achievement. It’s even better if you can be proud of yourself. Just say it. And if it helps, then say it loud, and say it proud. Remember, you’re spending time with yourself: nobody can hear you!

Tips for more self-love #3: Treat yourself like you would a friend

The most important relationship you have is the one to yourself. It’s not about egoism, but about really asking yourself:

• Do my friends criticize me often? Probably not, right?
• Do you respect and support the decisions your friends make?
• Do you support your friends during tough times?

There you go! So why should you treat yourself any different?

Tips for more self-love #4: Give yourself gifts!

When did you last give yourself a gift? You’ve been eyeing a purse or a pretty marble jar for some time now, haven’t you? Buy it! Small rewards to oneself increase happiness, but also testify self-love. It doesn’t always have to be something material. It can be a special experience: a massage, a visit to a spa or a walk in the country.

Tips for more self-love #5: Do something good for your body

There’s no denying: soul food like pizza or a gigantic cheeseburger can work wonders! And neither should you miss out on Friday’s traditional Aperol Spritz. But a healthy body is essential for a healthy mind. Therefore, it makes sense to take care of it. This doesn’t mean that you have to subscribe to an obsessive fitness regime or diet craze. Far from it. It’s not about losing weight and it’s not about chasing some beauty ideal. It’s about mindfulness, fresh and home-cooked food, an active job, a little tour on your bicycle perhaps, enough sleep and a few cups of your favorite detox tea. Your body will be thankful for the kindnesses you extend it. And you’ll soon realize: the better you feel, the easier and more natural you will find it to love yourself.