Valentine’s Day may be all about hearts and flowers but it’s not easy to give love and kindness to others if you’re coming up short in that department yourself. Your body may be telling you it wants a bottomless box of chocolates (mine is) but how about some healthier ways to show yourself some love?
You’re in luck because I’ve got some ideas for you:
Move. As good as resting may feel, the body was designed to move. If you’re a regular reader, chances are good you already like to exercise. Maybe you’re a runner. How often do you change it up and do something totally new? Something that keeps your body guessing? I recently tried an ActivMotion Bar and it quickly became one of my favorite cross training tools for strengthening my core. Basically it’s a bar with steel rolling balls inside. As you workout, the balls roll, creating instability. This instability challenges your muscles, causing you to engage your core. The bars range in weight from 4.5 lbs to 18 lbs. There’s not a day I’m in the pain cave that I don’t grab my ActivMotion Bar. My gym has them too.
Goodness in = goodness out. I started shooting these beet shots from Red Ace Organics during marathon training last summer. Each case contains four 3-oz. bottles each (12 total) of Organic Beet Performance, Organic Beets and Turmeric and Organic Beets & Greens. You could add one to your daily smoothie, but honestly? They’re so freaking tasty all on their own, not to mention a quick and simple way to take in nutritional powerhouses that attack inflammation in the body and promote recovery. This is SO important to those of us who are putting our bodies through the stress of endurance training. Try them for yourself and save 15% with marciashealthyslice.
Sleep. Face it, sleep feels great but the health benefits of ample rest are even more important. Adequate sleep enhances productivity, concentration, athletic performance and strengthens the immune system. Poor sleep is linked to weight gain, brain fog and increases the risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. So unplug already and go get some rest.
Massage. I’m guilty as charged with being an epic fail on the massage front lately. Studies have shown that massage helps the body enter a relaxing rest and recovery mode. Even a single massage has been shown to lower heart rate, cortisol and insulin levels. Regular massages help your body maintain that relaxed state and help your muscles remain loose even in times of excessive stress.
Love is in the air. Self-love is taking even just a few minutes each day for YOURSELF, to sit quietly, breathe and decompress. This happens for me first thing each morning. Lately I’ve been using the Love at First Scent Collection of Essential Oils from Now Foods in my diffuser. The set includes some of nature’s most romantic essences including Cinnamon Cassia Oil, Rose Absolute Oil, Bergamot Oil and Naturally Lovable Oil Blend.
Speaking of love, there’s still time to join us in Utah this June for the Utah Valley Marathon, Half Marathon or 10k! There’s a whole group of us going so book your hotel while you can! Read more about it here and use mhs15 to save 15% off when you register.
What’s your favorite way to take care of yourself? Do you get regular massages? How will you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
I’m linking up with Meranda, Lacey and Rachel for the Friday Five.
That bar looks like a great tool! I could definitely go for a massage. I wish they weren’t so expensive!
I am still waiting on that bar! You know I believe we can’t pamper ourselves enough! I just opened a sweet little box from a sweet ladies with a couple fun pamper products to try! She is the best! XXOO!
Self care is so important! I wish I could get massaged more often but they are too expensive. Instead, I have a few handheld massagers that I use on my legs and back 🙂
I don’t get massages, but I’m thinking I should! I have a Mario gift certificate from one of my students. Why didn’t I use it yet?
I think I need to try the beet juice. I do eat them occasionally but how many can you eat?! Moving and sleep=happy me
I am still in desperate need of a massage. My favorite place closed so know I need to find a new lady…womp womp!
I need more massages in my life…I just don’t take the time for some reason. I do pamper myself though …pedicures, hair appts, shopping, plenty of sleep, nightly soaks in the tub and wine…lots of wine!! 🙂 Seriously though, I really want to try those beet shots!
I just had a massage this week and it was soooo needed! I’ve promised myself to try to make this a regular habit this year.
I don’t get them enough, but pedicures are my favorite way to treat myself. My feet take a beating, and the attention feels good, plus they look good after the nail polish. My mom and I are getting pedicures at the end of the month, and that’ll feel good. Hot stones and paraffin wax.
My pampering is in the form of hair appts, manicures and soaks in our hot tub but I think I need some of what you mentioned.
This reminds me I still haven’t decided what to get the hubs for VDay. I’m thinking a couples massage would be great!
I love treating myself to some quiet time too. I don’t do it enough but it makes a huge difference!
I’m not sure What Paul and I will do for valentines day. We don’t have any set traditions. Last year we got breakfast at a diner, which was fun!
Yes to all of these! I think it’s so important to move for the sake of fitness but also because it helps with mental clarity. I am a big fan of dog walks, yoga and hiking to take care of my mental state.
I need to look into those Red Ace shots! And a massage would be nice…I never had one after Route 66 (and really SHOULD have had one then).
Sleep is one thing that I always enjoy getting extra of!! Thanks for the reminder to care for our selves!
Completely agree that self-love is oh so important! Great post 🙂
agree to all of these! and all year long! not just for Valentine’s Day (time) 🙂
as a newly certified sports massage therapist I also more than agree with getting regular massages. While I do more deep tissue and focus on helping athletes recover and stay in top (sport) shape, I believe that all types of massage can do a person good. it’s up to you and what you feel like you need at the time. sometimes you want to have a nice relaxing soft massage and sometimes you want someone to get in there and work out all the kinks. either way SUPER way of taking care of yourself!
Love all of these (except for the massage bit – you can keep that!).
It’s so important to make time to take care of ourselves.
I need a foot massage. Bad.
Utah sounds so awesome <3 Wish I could go!
I also try to get regular massages, but I’ve also been an epic failure the last few months. Between training, furkids, snow/ice, and parents, it’s been hard. Really hoping to rectify that soon — of course, I keep saying that.
Damn, I meant to look for tart cherry juice yesterday and totally forgot about it. 🙁
I need a massage, I am trying to do it regularly but it doesn’t always work out that way…
Oh my goodness! I read BRA instead of bra and was so confused. Haha!!!!
Those beet shots definitely look tasty. If I were training for a marathon this year that would be something for me to drink.
I’ve been thinking of purchasing some essential oils. Which diffuser do you have?
Thank you for your helpful advice. I think I’m gonna need to have some exercise. My wife has decide chocolate for the main theme of Valentines Day’s dinner. She will put chocolate on everything.
Thank for sharing! My mom always says” To love somemone, love yourself first”. To be up my ears in work, I don’t have enough time to take care of myself. I will follow your tips to love my body more.
I like the bar! I have not seen that before. My core needs all the help it can get.
A massage would be such a nice gift 🙂