Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love—and that need not be of only the romantic sort. Consider the holiday the perfect excuse to dote on your family and friends, and to shower yourself with some extra affection, as well. So why not reclaim V-Day as a self-care occasion? A bonus: practices adopted this month can benefit the way you love yourself—and thus the way you love others—well beyond the holiday.
Here, 10 rejuvenating ways to spoil yourself this Valentine’s Day.
Put Your Phone on Airplane Mode
Taking time for yourself means unplugging—from social media and constant communication. So, whether for an hour or the entire afternoon, put your phone on Airplane Mode. (If you can’t imagine being out of touch for a whole day, perhaps that’s a sign that it’s time to try something new.)
Meditate
The mind can be a cluttered place. Start cleaning house with a basic meditation practice, proven to help with focus, sleep, reduction of stress and anxiety, and overall emotional health. Calm is a favored app for meditation newbies and veterans of mindfulness alike. Take a moment to sit with your thoughts—you’ll be surprised how quickly the act can change your life.
Get Outside
A simple walk around the block can do wonders for our emotional and physical states alike. If you can’t make it to a body of water or an idyllic hiking trail, embrace a simple stroll. Notice the nature that surrounds you, the way the light plays, and the cleansing effects of fresh air. Let the outside world remind you to be in love with life.
Get a Houseplant
Buying a houseplant plant is a quick and easy means of nurturing life in a manageable way. Adorn your house with growing green! Watering your new plant and watching it grow is a form of love, as well.
Take a Bath
From smoother skin to mood elevation and muscle soothing, a soak in the tub is a supremely relaxing method of taking care of oneself. Add some Epsom salts and a few drops of essential oil—lavender for calm or rose for love—and let the waters transport you to a blissful state.
Give Yourself a Massage
Sensuous massage is all well and good, but massaging your own limbs allows for intuitive targeting. Send some relief to any parts of your body that have been causing you grief, and remember that it’s your job (and privilege) to care for your physical form.
Dance (Like No One is Watching!)
Move! Groove! The time has come for a solo dance party. Dancing (and danceable music) boosts endorphins and gets your blood pumping, and is a fun and stimulating means of honoring your body. We've curated the perfect playlist just for you!
Make Yourself a Hearty Home-Cooked Meal
Date night centers on some great food, so get in the kitchen and cook up a sumptuous dinner. We recommend this Creamy Crab and Arugula Pasta from Chrissy Teigen—an accessible dish featuring some well-loved ingredients. Vegetarians can simply sub out the seafood and indulge in a yummy plate of carbs.
Write Yourself a Love Letter
No need to save all of those loving thoughts for others—send some of that language your way! Get creative and write a love letter to yourself. Detail all of the parts of yourself that you’re grateful for, and save the letter for a moment when you need a reminder of your own appreciation.
Go to Bed Early
Sleep is paramount to well-being. Round out your day of self-love by getting to bed early and clocking a full eight hours. That way, you’ll be rested and ready to keep your new routines alive when you wake up.