Valentine’s Day is upon us, and while everyone’s hyping up romantic love with all that Hallmark card bullshit, I’m here to talk about something a hell of a lot more important – loving yourself, especially when the world feels like it’s one big, flaming dumpster fire. So let’s dive into how yoga can be your badass ally in self-love.
Self-Care Tips for Valentine's Day
1. Digital Detox: Give your devices the middle finger for a bit today. Trust me, the Valentine's memes can wait. Your sanity can't.
Here's one to hold you over.
2. Yoga: Get on your mat. Not for the ‘gram. Not for anyone else. Just for you. Find a flow that feels like a good fuck-you to any tension you’re carrying. At the very least, stretch your arms up with a deep breath in and as you exhale wrap your arms around your body for a good squeeze. Look at that... You just hugged yourself. Who loves ya, Baby? Yoga does!
3. Eat Like You Give a Damn: Choose food that makes you feel good. If it’s a burger, fine... but maybe we skip the extra bacon. A smoothie? Cool... Literally! (See what I did there?) What matters is that you listen to your body. It knows its shit. Don't punish yourself with shitty food or gobs of chocolate today. It might feel good in the moment, but you're screwing over tomorrow-you. In yoga, the first of the 5 yamas is Ahimsa. It means non-violence. Not only do we want to refrain from violence against others, but also ourselves. That means not stuffing our bodies with trash...even when we feel like an angry trash panda.
4. Get The Fuck Out...side!: Mother Nature isn’t always gentle, but she’s got a way of making you feel grounded. Get out there, even if it’s just to flip off the sky and yell into the ether.
5. Journaling: Yeah, it sounds a bit Dear Diary, but spilling your guts onto a page is cathartic as hell. Give it a shot. Rage, rant, rave – just let it out. I have had a daily habit for years of Journaling. I even add fun stickers to the page every single day!
Exhale the Bullshit
When you're sick of all the Valentine's Day hub-bub, take a break and practice mindful breathing. One of my favorite breathing exercises is Nadi Shodhana or “That Thing Where You Breathe Through One Nostril at a Time”
Nadi Shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing isn’t some woo-woo magic trick; it’s a legit way to calm your mind and get your head out of your ass when stress levels hit the roof. Here’s the breakdown:
1. Sit down and sit up straight – none of that slouchy bullshit. Roll your shoulders back and down, away from from your ears. Feet flat on the floor.... Or if you're an elf like me, put your feet somewhere comfortable so they aren't dangling like a toddler. I like to keep yoga blocks under my desk for this.
2. Left hand chills on your knee. Thumb and ring finger of the right hand: these are your new best friends. We're going to use them to alternately block off our nostrils.
3. Block the right nostril with your thumb. Inhale through the left. Feel the cool air on the edge of your nostril like it’s the first sane moment you’ve had all day.
4. Swap the block, releasing your thumb from your right nostril and blocking the left nostril with your ring finger. Exhale through the right nostril. Inhale through the right nostril.
5. Swap again. Exhale through the left. Inhale thorough the left.
Rinse. Repeat. Get it? Got it? Good.
Do this for a few rounds, or until you feel slightly less like punching something.
Oh and don't forget your Daily Affirmations!
Day 1: I’m a magnificent bastard, and I deserve my own love.
Day 2: My peace is my power, even if it’s loud and messy.
Day 3: I accept all my rough edges. They’re what makes me, me.
Day 4: Strength and resilience are my middle names, even when I’m a hot mess.
Day 5: My needs and feelings are valid, no matter how many F-Bombs I drop today.
Day 6: I’m on a conquest of badassery. I shall slay my fears! Huzzah!
Day 7: Love is all around me, in every fucked up, beautiful form.
Listen, the journey to self-love is messy, nonlinear, and downright hard at times. But it’s also the most important relationship you’ll ever work on. This Valentine’s Day, let’s make a pact to be our own rough-around-the-edges, beautifully flawed valentines. Screw perfection. Embrace the chaos. Love yourself through this dumpster fire, one breath, one curse, one day at a time.
