SOMA Living February 2023

Valentine’s Day is a day to express love and appreciation to people in our life we care about this month. How can you celebrate yourself this February by looking at how you can better love yourself. For those struggling with an eating disorder or a negative relationship with food, body image and low self-esteem it can be hard to make time for self-care or find ways to love yourself. Whether you’re in a relationship or not, challenging yourself to celebrate adoration and self-nurturing may enhance your healing. Here are some ways to love and nurture yourself and celebrate Valentine’s Day all month long. Act on your needs. Self-love flourishes when we can step away from our negative messages, and self-destructive behavior. Pay attention to your emotional and physical needs. Begin to understand how your disordered eating keeps you distracted from your feelings and what you truly need. Be mindful during meals and focus on nourishing and delicious foods that you enjoy, rather than worry about calories. Find an activity that brings you pleasure without worrying about whether you are doing it perfectly or “good enough.” Find time to disconnect from social media. Removing yourself from your on-line world can allow you to stop comparing yourself to others. Taking this time can remind you of what you love about yourself. Spend time with people who bring a positive and caring light to your life. Evaluate those toxic relationships that drain you and leave you feeling bad about yourself. Write or find a creative way to express the ways you love yourself. Embrace your individuality. Invest time this month in celebrating and discovering the wonder of being you! BECOME YOUR OWN ST. VALENTINE DON’T TRUST THEMIRROR

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