Valentine’s Day is universally recognized as a day of love. However, in the spirit of this special day, I’d like to approach love from a different perspective: self-love.
Self-love is not just about treating yourself to indulgences or being self-focused. It goes much deeper than that.
Self-love is about acknowledging your worth and ensuring your physical, emotional, and mental needs are met.
Let me go straight to the heart
From the viewpoint of East Asian Medicine, the heart organ is considered the Emperor, the supreme ruler of the body. It governs our blood and circulatory system, but it also plays a significant role in our emotional and mental well-being.The heart’s health directly impacts our joy, clarity of thought, sleep, and overall vitality.
The Heart houses the Shen, or the spirit, which represents our consciousness, emotions, mental acuity, and overall spirit.
A balanced Shen manifests as a clear mind, peaceful sleep, happiness, and a vibrant spirit.
Conversely, an imbalanced Shen can lead to restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, and other emotional disturbances.
Prioritizing Your Heart through Self-Love
The most profound love you can experience starts within.
Self-love means:
- Setting boundaries and giving yourself permission to take breaks
- Knowing when to say no when you’re overwhelmed and when to push yourself towards growth.
- Accepting yourself as you are while also recognizing areas where you can and want to improve
- Prioritizing self-care
- Listening to your body, understanding its signals, and taking steps towards holistic well-being.
- Nurturing your heart – the Emperor of the body – and your Shen – the spirit residing within
Heart-Centered Breathing: A Simple Self-Care Ritual
One simple yet profoundly impactful self-care action you can take is heart-centered breathing. This practice involves placing your hands over your heart and focusing on your breath. Here’s how you can do it:
(1) Find a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Now, gently place your hands over your heart. Feel the warmth of your hands and the steady rhythm of your heart beneath them.
(2) Begin to take deep, slow breaths. As you breathe in, visualize love and healing energy filling your heart. As you breathe out, imagine any stress, worries, or negative emotions leaving your body.
(3) Keep your focus on your heart area, feeling the rise and fall with each breath. Visualize your heart being nurtured and healed with each breath cycle.
(4) Do this for a few minutes, or as long as you feel comfortable. This practice not only promotes self-love and self-care but also establishes a deep connection with your heart and Shen, fostering holistic healing.
(5) Remember, the key to this practice is intention and awareness. By consciously directing your attention and breath to your heart, you’re showing yourself love and care in the most profound way.
A Valentine’s Promise: Embracing Self-Love
This Valentine’s Day, let’s remember the importance of self-love and turn our attention inward. East Asian Medicine emphasizes the heart, our emotional center, and the Shen, our spirit, both requiring care for overall wellness. With self-love, we acknowledge our worth, set boundaries, and prioritize our needs. A simple, effective self-care act is heart-centered breathwork, which nurtures our heart and Shen.
Remember, self-love isn’t a one-time act; it’s a continuous journey of self-discovery and self-care. This Valentine’s Day, let’s commit to this journey, recognizing that the most profound love we can experience is the love that starts from within.