Whether you’re single or in a relationship, sometimes Valentines Day can be an emotionally difficult holiday. When you’re single, there’s a lot of pressure to be in a relationship, and when you’re in a relationship, there’s pressure to be in a “perfect” one. It’s important to have fulfilling romantic and personal relationships, but sometimes we forget to nurture the relationship we have with ourselves. This relationship, arguably the most important of all, is often overlooked.

So, this Valentines Day we are challenging you to treat yourself like your own Valentine- and we don’t mean sending yourself a card and giving yourself chocolates (although that’s a fine way to do it)!  We’re talking about the gift of self-care.

What is self-care? Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately to take care of our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It’s also key to a good relationship with oneself and others. (Psych Central)

Self-care is best when it’s planned (that’s right, you should schedule it) to help yourself recharge. Some people, especially those who feel pressure to be productive or take care of others before themselves, may think that self-care seems a bit selfish. The truth is, self-care is not selfish. If anything, caring for yourself has the power to bring more balance into your busy life so you can continue making the world a better place. Here are some ways you can take care of yourself this Valentine’s Day.

  1. Get more sleep– Let yourself sleep a little bit more than usual. Maybe set your alarm a little later in the morning or go to bed earlier. A nap couldn’t hurt either! Getting rest is a great way to boost energy levels, minimize stress, increase patience and keep your immune system strong.
  2. Create a “no” list– Boundaries are healthy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed chances are you’ve been stretching yourself too thin. Make a list of things that negatively impact your life that you’re no longer going to do. For instance, you could stop checking your e-mails at night, or drinking sugary soft drinks, or maybe you want to stop going to the gym EVERY DAY and go 3-4 time per week instead, so you have more time for your family.
  3. Do something fun– Going to the movies, taking a dance class, seeing a comedy show, going on a walk with your dog, cooking or baking, meeting your friends, are all examples of pleasurable things you can do to add more fun into your day.
  4. Do a Digital Disconnect– Take a few hours to be screen free. Explore what you do when there are no distractions pulling you in each direction. This might be a good time to be still, enjoy some alone time, or go outside and connect with nature.

If you ever have a question about your children, want to schedule a check-up appointment, or are looking for a Denver-area pediatrician and want to learn more about our practice at Mountainland Pediatrics, call us at 303-430-0823.