Heart and star confetti with one standing-up heart in focus. | Photo Credit/Pexels
We have all heard that self-care is important.
So, why not make this self-care day a Valentine’s Day date? Better yet, just take yourself on a date – it does not even have to be Valentine’s Day.
Research shows that having a day to yourself can improve your mood, brain function, memory, and mental health. According to SelectHealth.org, having a self-care day, or just a day to yourself, can “allow your mind and body to repair itself.” Life Health Online gives us five health benefits for taking time for yourself; it improves mental health, sparks creativity, boosts self-esteem, creates empathy for others, and heightens emotional intelligence. This means whether you are single, dating, or even married, it is still good to take time out of your day for yourself every once in a while.
Over Christmas break, I was visiting a friend at Auburn and she had to work one of the days I was there. While she was at work I decided to have a day to myself, which with being in college and working does not happen often. I decided to ask her about some of the local coffee shops there and decided that I would visit a few of them and enjoy a book. I love to read so I just looked at this as a way to get done with my book, but it was much more.
I realized that I really enjoyed myself. By nature I am a people person, I like to be around people, hang out with friends, or even meet new people. Just going to a coffee shop and taking time for myself to read and journal got me to relax and enjoy my own presence.
When I met up with my friend for dinner, she apologized for having to work because I had to spend the day alone. I did not look at it that way, I thought it was so relaxing. My mind was not congested with all the things I had to do that day or what I had to get done, it was peaceful.
If you do not believe the research that was done showing that a day to yourself, a self-care day, is good for you, then believe me and my story. I enjoyed a date with myself, so do not just do this on Valentine’s Day but also in seasons when you feel super stressed. You do not have to give a whole day! If you can just give yourself an hour or two to read a book, do a face mask, go for a walk or even bake, do whatever helps you relax and focus on you for a little while.
