By JV Valderama

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to express and celebrate love than gifting yourself the pampering you ultimately deserve. No reason to stay gloomy if you’re spending Valentine’s Day alone! We are here to offer you self-care ideas that will surely make you fall in love with yourself.

Setting the Atmosphere

If you’re dreaming of lighting a candle, having a glass of wine, and burning some incense like in the movies, now is the best time to make it come true. And while you’re at it, turn on your diffuser and fill your room with aromatic scents to reap the stress-relief benefit of aromatherapy.

By setting the mood, you are creating a pleasant home space that brings relaxation to your mind and body.

Cook a Healthy Meal

Making dinner reservations this Valentine’s Day can be difficult, so you might want to stay home and cook your own meal instead. Set your table and dress up a bit to simulate the romantic feeling of eating in a fancy restaurant.

Cooking your own food allows you to be more mindful of what you are consuming and putting into your body, making it a healthier alternative to dining out. Bonus? It's a huge money-saver!

Additionally, it benefits your mind. You are exercising your creativity when you cook by experimenting with ingredients and adjusting the taste according to your preference.

Having a Nice Warm Bath

This might be common, but admit it– taking a bath after a long, tiring day is the first thing you want to do after coming home. Make it extra special this Valentine’s Day by adding bath bombs, body scrubs, and essential oils to your shower routine. You can even listen to your music playlist or favorite podcast, or even have a movie night while enjoying your bath time.

According to Dr. Amy Zack, taking a bath has significant benefits to your physical and mental health. Aside from cleaning your skin from built-up dirt and dead skin cells, it also gives you protection against irritation, inflammation, and sores.

Furthermore, submerging yourself in warm water provides a feeling of security and comfort because it reminds you of being in the womb, Psychologist Neil Morris explained.

Deep Breathing

Practicing meditation is a great way to destress. Show some love to yourself by spending quiet time to reflect. Find a quiet and comfortable space in your home, close your eyes, relax your body, and focus on your breathing.

Deep breathing offers a sense of calm and balance to your body and mind. Whether it’s stress from your work or pressure from school, meditating helps you build resilience to overcome emotional problems.

Stretch it Out

Instead of going and spending most of your time in the gym this Valentine’s Day, why not take light stretches while having your cup of coffee? Stretching is one way to help you relax after a busy and stressful day.

Aside from flexibility and mobility benefits, stretching increases serotonin levels– the hormone responsible for making you feel good. So, stretch your way out to a happy life!

Practice simple stretches like child’s pose, happy baby, and lying glute stretch for 30-60 seconds to have a joyful and productive Valentine’s.

Massaging Yourself

If your love language is physical touch, then a comforting massage is the best gift for you this Valentine’s Day.

As stated by Tiffany Field, Director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami, massages help decrease stress levels and enhance immune function. Also, this promotes the production of feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin in your body.

Using a self-massaging tool like a massage gun is beneficial if you choose to spend Valentine’s alone.

Conclusion

It’s always important to practice self-love, whether it’s Valentine’s Day or not. This may seem self-indulgent, but prioritizing self-care coupled with self-compassion leads to better mental and physical health. When you are in a good headspace, loving and caring for other people becomes easier.