How to Cultivate Self-Love: Practical Tips for a Happier, Healthier You

Valentines day can evoke a whole host of feelings...from happiness and joy, to spells of anxiety, sadness and grief, which makes even more crucial to look after yourself in these low periods.

If you’re single, find yourself apart from your loved ones or your other half is the

unromantic type, use Valentines day as an excuse to treat yourself.

Even better, most of my tips on practising self-love won’t cost you a penny.

Embrace Yourself

Whilst the shops are full of romantic cards, cuddly toys and gifts for valentine’s day, it’s

also important to take some time out for some self-love.

After all, it’s hard to love someone without truly loving yourself. Help yourself, and loving

someone else becomes second nature.

Start the Day on the Right Foot

With the New Year’s resolutions gone out the window by February, the only one I stick to

is my mini-facial. It only takes 5 minutes and it’s a real treat every day.

• Use a cleanser with a gorgeous aroma, mine has a smell that reminds me of holidays somewhere warm. Massage it into your skin in circular motions and place a warm cloth over your face. Take a few deep, slow breaths.

Really take in the smell, feel the warmth of the cloth on your skin, then gently wipe your face clean.

• Apply toner to neutralise the skins’ Ph level and finish with a lavish dose of moisturiser. Always use one with SPF30 or above to protect your skin from harmful rays, even on cloudy days.

This daily ritual really helps me to feel calm, fresh and revitalised, ready to face the world!

Love of Nature

Take a leisurely stroll somewhere green, or even better through some woods or a coastal

area.

Really take the time to listen to the wind rustling through the trees, birds singing or

the waves lapping against the shore. Feel the bark of trees or the sand through your fingers and toes and take in the earthy aroma or fresh sea air.

Fully immerse your senses in your surroundings. It’s a truly empowering, refreshing way to ground yourself and put any worries and stresses into perspective.

Ground Yourself

Surround yourself with beautiful, natural elements like stones, shells, pine cones, or dried flowers. The different textures will remind you of the experiences from your walks.

Don’t be afraid to hold the items, how do they feel? Rough, smooth? Do they smell of

anything?

The combination of different textures from nature enhances the sensory experience and

contributes to a grounding atmosphere.

Take a Moment

Find a piece of art and quietly contemplate how it was made, what it represents, does

anything strike you as unusual or particularly pleasing or remind you of a happy memory?

I love Mama Pacha’s flower domes for this, each unique dome is filled with home grown

flowers, designed in such a way you can take the time to gaze at them individually.

When your brain is running at a million miles an hour, just spending a few minutes with

them, calms the mind and helps to put thoughts in order.

Soak your Cares Away

Run yourself a bath with your favourite bubbles, or better still, a few drops of

aromatherapy oils to fill your senses.

Turn the lights down and dot a few tealight candles around the bathroom. Take a few slow, deep breaths and feel the steam rise through your nose and fill your

airways, easing your whole body into a calm, relaxed state.

Sleep easy by refreshing the bedsheets, plump the pillows and relax to some soothing

tunes whilst you drift off.

I really hope you can find the time to put some of my tips into practice, I’m sure your feel all the better for it!

Much Love

Mama Pacha x

"Do not allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put on some sunglasses, 'cause we were born this way!" - Lady Gaga