A Health Coach’s Guide to Showing Yourself Some Love this Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day! Maybe you’re planning a romantic weekend away, or perhaps a wine & cheese night with the girls (…or maybe you’re really not bothered by the whole ‘Valentine’s Day’ thing!). Whatever the case, make sure you take the opportunity to show yourself, and those around you, some love this season.

Here are five ways which you can do exactly that...!

First and foremost, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Daily ‘me time’ shouldn’t be a luxury, or something that needs to be earned – it’s an essential.

And yes, I know we’re all busy; carving out time for ourselves everyday might seem unachievable (or even selfish) if we’re not used to it. But I promise you, it will be worth it. When I create space for ‘me time’ in the morning, I feel more positive, grounded and energised throughout my day.

So, what’s 1.4% got to do with this? Well, each day we have 1,440 minutes. So, dedicating 20 minutes to ourselves each morning equates to just 1.4% of our day – it’s a tiny fraction! Enjoy a hot drink in peace, watch the sunrise, do some yoga in your pyjamas...I don’t mind what you do with those 20 mins, but make sure you're doing it for yourself.

As a Health Coach, I’m a huge proponent for daily movement and weekly exercise. That said, I know that going for a run/to the gym, isn’t for everyone. (Even for me, who usually enjoys the gym, it can get a bit monotonous from time to time!)

But there are so many forms of movement for us to explore! Why not make it your mission this Spring to try something a little different - perhaps a dance class, a form of martial arts or a Sunday hike & picnic. The options are endless! So long as you’re trying something new & having fun, you’re winning.

We all know that we should be scrolling less & reading more – this simple swap has numerous benefits for our physical & mental health. For example, we reduce our exposure to light and micro-stressors. This promotes good quality sleep and positively impacts our immune systems, energy levels and mood etc. But, to make this something you actually want to do, finding a good book is key!

A couple of books which I’ve read recently & would highly recommend are:

• The Island of Missing Trees (Elif Shafak) – a novel exploring themes of love, war & nature. A fantastic read!

• Why We Sleep (Matthew Walker) – a great non-fiction read for anyone interested in the world of health & wellness. This book explores the role of sleep, why it is absolutely crucial for our health & how we can promote it. A really powerful read!

If you’re feeling a bit bored of the soups, stews & winter staples, you can get excited about exploring some new, delicious flavours this Spring!

Spring is a great time to make use of cruciferous veggies* in the kitchen ( e.g., cauliflower, kale, cabbage), as well as asparagus, leeks, spring onions & rhubarb – all of which are in season! Check out the recipe inspo below:

*Ps, cruciferous veggies are great at supporting our liver’s detox function – so if you’re looking to support your detox pathways as we head into Spring, make sure you’re getting a good portion of these on your plate!

Last (but definitely not least!) you could unwind with a ‘magnesium bath’.

Magnesium has lots important functions in our body, such as helping our muscles to relax, promoting good quality sleep & supporting our stress response. Whilst we can support our magnesium levels via our diets, we also absorb magnesium well via our skin. So, a warm bath with Epsom salts (rich in magnesium) is a great way to relax & unwind at the end of a busy week. I’m currently using bath salts from Westlab, which I love! Always remember to read the label to check that the product is suitable for you.

What are your favourite Spring-time self-care routines? Let me know in the comments!