Mark your calendars: June 18th is International Be You Day – a celebration of the one person you spend every moment with (yes, you). As we rarely pause for self-appreciation, this day is your official excuse to turn inward and show yourself some overdue love. Here are three simple yet powerful self-love habits you can begin today to keep falling more in love with yourself. 

1. Identify and replace negative thoughts 

Everyday situations and past experiences can often lead us to think negatively of ourselves, especially when thinking we have made a mistake. “The way that we would talk to our worst enemy is the way that we talk to ourselves when we’re stuck in this toxic cycle,” said Rachel Wright, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in New York. It’s important to recognise and ‘catch yourself’ when you are doing it, validating the thought, then replace it with something positive.   

2. Get enough sleep 

Although sleep is one of our basic needs, we often don’t get enough of it. “Carving out enough time for sleep can be the greatest act of self-love,” said Heidi Kristoffer, a wellness expert and creator of CrossFlowX, a yoga and cardio-based workout program. she recommends having dinner earlier so you can get a good night’s sleep. “Eat dinner with the kids at 5 [p.m.],” she advised. “Yes, 5. If you eat early, you can sleep early, and you will get good sleep since you won’t be digesting a meal you just ate.” 

3. Take a social media detox   

From the second we wake up, we pick up our phones, scrolling through apps like WhatsApp, Instagram and TikTok, and are immediately immersed in the outside world and what it’s consumed with. This content can have a negative effect on how you view your life and impacts the relationship with yourself. “We automatically go external instead of turning internal, which is really where most of our answers live,” Wright said. By taking a break from social media now and then, you can take the time to look inward and fill your cup with what you really need.  

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