Learning the Importance of Self-Love

self-love

Publish date

Jun 18, 2021

Post Author

Bryan Amaro

Category

Self-care is the basis of all the things that you do in life—people often put self-love into a box; however, it is way more than a trip to a spa. Things like healthy eating, meditating, getting sleep, and alone time are also self-care. If you take care of just that short list of things, you may begin to see a clear difference in how you feel. The food people put in their bodies affects their daily mood. Every time you eat, you are either building or breaking your body down. The body needs the proper amount of sleep, food, and “alone time” to function.

When speaking of the body, this includes the brain, which runs everything. The brain is a part of your body that is critical and has to be taken care of for everything else to run properly. Self-love can help it work more efficiently—self-love is about nurturing what is on the outside, but the inside as well. Loving yourself will help nurture your mind and provide mindfulness to help you better interact with others. Learn some tips below on how to better take care of yourself inside—everything from the proper foods, amount of sleep, and meditating.

 

You Are What You Eat 

The brain is used as a control center of the body; it’s in charge of keeping your heart and lungs going. It’s what allows you to move, feel, and think. It is important to keep your brain in the best shape you possibly can so other parts of your body function properly. Everything you eat plays a huge role in helping your brain stay healthy to perform specific tasks like memory and concentration. 

 

The Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

The problem is, many people are walking around not knowing what they should be eating to improve brain health and making poor food choices. Fish with omega fats are often mentioned when people speak of foods that involve improving brain health. They contain healthy fats beneficial to health, not the kind detrimental to our well-being.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be able to eat any type of fish. Salmon, trout, and sardines are all great sources of omega-3 fatty acids which also promote brain health. Sixty percent of your brain is made out of fat, and half of that fat is omega-3s fatty acids. The brain uses omega-3s to build up brain and nerve cells. These fats are essential for learning and memory. In return, it may slow down diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. Omega-3s are so important to a point where doctors are connecting learning impairments and depression to the lack of them. Putting more omega-3s in your body can potentially help fight depression, resulting in a healthier way of thinking. 

 

The Positive Effects of Antioxidants

Foods like Blueberries provide anthocyanins, which combine anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These antioxidants fight against oxidative stress and inflammation, which can contribute to brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Some studies even suggest that these same antioxidants found in blueberries help improve communication between brain cells. Adding blueberries to your cereal or yogurt every day can go a long way for your brain health. 

 

Spend Time Alone

In many cases, spending too much time alone may not necessarily be the best decision, but life is about balance, and humans require love of some sort from others. Some people may require less than others, but it’s important to get love from somewhere, even from a pet. However, alone time is just as important and how you use it. For example, spending your alone time stressing about the past or future can be unhealthy. When you do get the opportunity to spend some time alone, it’s important to do something healthy with your time. For instance, you could read a book, meditate, or listen to some music. 

During your alone time, it’s normal to want to turn on your TV or scroll on social media, but be intentional with your time. Let this time truly be time alone in almost complete silence. This will give you the chance to be alone with your thoughts. Part of developing a true love for yourself involves creating a block of time for yourself where you get to know who you are. This is what can help prevent depression and anxiety. Once people are more in tune with themselves, it’s harder for certain life stressors to throw you off course. It’s easier to handle the fear of abandonment or fear of being alone when you know exactly who you are. 

 

As people run around living their hectic lives, it’s easy to neglect your personal needs to take care of your body. This means that it’s easy to forget to do the right things that will take care of your mental health in the long run. Mental health is something that has to be taken care of consistently in your daily activities. Pay attention to what you are putting in your body and the amount of sleep that you are getting. Things like omega-3s and blueberries can help with memory and fighting your depression. If you believe that you are actively taking care of yourself and still struggling with anxiety or depression, you might need help. Facilities like HealthyU can help you reach your mental health goals. We have a plethora of treatment options for you and your loved ones—anything from outpatient programs to mental health partial hospitalization. Contact us at  (619) 542-9542.