February is the month of love and the person that you should give the most to is (insert drumroll here) YOURSELF! Self-love, self-care, self-advocate; there are so many ways to say one should take time to focus on their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. But self-love doesn’t have to mean expensive massages or wellness trips. Including moments of self-love in your day can make a huge difference in your overall wellness. Here’s a couple of inexpensive ways to give yourself some love:
Affirmations
“Think positive” sounds good in theory but will it actually work? Science says yes. As awkward as it may be to talk to yourself or write affirmations in a journal, it is proven to help build confidence and reduce our stress responses. Here are some starter affirmations:
I am a kind and good person.
I am confident and believe in myself.
I am a problem solver and can find solutions in difficult situations.
I am a positive force in the world.
Even when it doesn’t feel like it, there is good in the world worth noticing.
Grounding Techniques
We love to include our “Let’s Get Anchored” grounding techniques each month because they are great coping strategies that help reconnect you with the present. Having these self-regulation mechanisms available can be helpful for times of stress and anxiety. Being able to self-regulate is the ultimate form of self-love. This month’s grounding technique is called “Puppy Love”. It discusses how the act of petting a dog can help lower our stress hormones and create more Oxytocin (our happy, feel-good hormone). You can find more grounding techniques here.
Music
Remember when you were younger and your parents would embarrass you by rocking out to music from “the good ole days”. Guess what? That’s us now. According to math, the music from the early 2000s is twenty years old. But it doesn’t matter! The beats still hit and you still know every word. Sing every word, try to remember choreography from the music video, (remember those?!) or just put it on and try to relax in that moment. A Harvard study found that music listeners have slightly lower levels of anxiety and depression. The study also found that 9 minutes of music can improve energy levels, laughter and feelings of control. Other benefits include lowering stress hormones, blood pressure and heart rate while boosting productivity and decreasing feelings of loneliness.
Or join us for our wellness classes!
We offer a variety of classes each month so people of all kinds can find something they enjoy. Woven Wellness is a free class coming up on February 19th from 7-8pm. No need for actual knowledge of how to craft. The goal of the group is to encourage self-expression, mindfulness and connection with others. Others will be available to help learn how to knit or crochet. Empoweher will be on February 21st from 7-8:30pm at Stable Minds in Elburn. It provides a safe space to discuss life concerns, connections, support and relationships. Activities may include animal interactions, art sessions and guest speakers.
Herd Harmony is a teenage self-esteem squad workshop on Friday Feb 28th, middle school 12-2pm and high school 2:30-4:30pm. It helps build self-confidence, increase self-awareness while practicing social skills such as teamwork, patience and empathy. It will be at Stable Minds in Elburn. Find the right event for you here.
Self-love doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Try these different approaches until you find the right thing for you.
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