This season of loving, remember to save some of that love for yourself.

In fact, it’s better to focus on loving yourself before getting into a relationship, since you must love yourself before anyone can love you.

Some quiet time focusing on yourself isn’t a bad idea when you have these many ways to make yourself feel loved!

1) Exercise

Studies have proven time and again that getting your body moving not only produces changes in the parts of the brain that regulates stress and anxiety, but also increases sensitivity in your brain for the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which kick feelings of depression to the curb. Exercise is not only good for your body but also for your soul. Exercising regularly actually releases endorphins and contributes to your level of happiness and helps you feel better about yourself. While you work out, appreciate your body and what it can do. Recognize yourself as the strong, independent, caring person who can easily go from punching life in the gut to rescuing strays. In other words, know you’re amazing.

It’s great working out, but do remember that vigorous exercise sessions tend to dry the mouth due to high intensity inhaling and exhaling. Besides drinking lots of water; treat your mouth to a refreshing gargle of alcohol-free mouth rinse or spritz of breath spray

2) Groom

It’s not exactly picking stuff from another monkey’s coat, but grooming does a lot to make you feel more confident about yourself, and it leads to a higher self-esteem. We’re not talking about going for a complete makeover; even small changes can boost the way you feel about yourself such as freshening your breath by using breath spray after a meal. You can also experiment with a new style of dressing but don’t forget this is not just about looks, but also your health. Taking good care of your teeth not only makes for a better, brighter smile, but also keeps them in tip top shape to keep you eating well for the rest of your life, not to mention avoid a lot of pain and discomfort.

3) Travel

Why not travel? Book yourself a getaway, whether to relax or to climb a mountain and find yourself in the process. Travelling can be a great escape from the usual bustle and grind, and it gives you an opportunity – if you’re not stuck on your earphones – to think and reflect. Think about what you’re grateful for, what you need to change, what you have accomplished, what you need to let go off. Perhaps even WHO you need to let go off in your life, and who you need to welcome in. Let go of the past, let go of people who’ve hurt you or who don’t have your best interests at heart. It’s time to welcome in love.

You’ll smile a lot more on your journey so remember to bring along stuff that will keep that smile in tip-top shape.

4) Write a love letter to yourself

In your head, if you need to. Take this chance to tell yourself how much you love being you. Tell yourself what you want out of life, and what you’re gonna do to achieve it. Tell yourself where you want to see yourself in 5, 10 years. Tell yourself how good you know you are and can be. Tell yourself I LOVE YOU!!!