“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” Lucille Bell
Love heightens chemical activity in the brain. Studies conducted on students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx and the State University of New York concluded that dopamine sites became extremely active when a person is in love. In this process there is also a release of chemicals oxytocin, vasopressin, and serotonin. In concert, all of these chemicals improve mental health, strengthen the immune system, and relieve pain. When we are emitting this heightened frequency of love from our body we also help attract that same healthy energy in our lives.
When we love ourselves everyone around us benefits. Self-love is really the first step in building any sort of long lasting healthy relationships in your life.
How to develop self-love
Unconditional love. Our childhood lays the foundation for the unconditional love we learn to have for ourselves. Unfortunately, many of us have experienced very traumatic events that have caused us to feel a lack of love, low self-esteem, anger, or other serious issues that prevent us from having unconditional love for ourselves. It becomes our responsibility to learn how to develop this quality in our lives, as we become adults.
Forgiveness. This is the first step in developing a healthy self-love for ourselves. Instead of feeling resentment, guilt, pain, and so many other negative emotions that drag us down, we can begin to forgive ourselves for all the things we have done or not done in our lives; for all the damage caused as a result of a lack of self-love.
Letting go. As we forgive we will begin to feel a release of the emotional charge behind whatever it is we are forgiving from the past. Instead of a raw open wound it will begin to heal. The negativity associated with that particular emotion will dissipate and it will no longer dictate our how our life goes. The past will be healed and released in a healthy way.
The process of learning self-love is usually a long process that can take years. Making it a part of your daily practice will help you reap the hugest rewards and will help you see the greatest shifts in your being. Thoughts, behaviors, actions, emotions, relationships, and so much more will begin to change right in front of your eyes. Actively choosing modes of thought that uplift us will continue to be a guide on the path of self-love.
Treat yourself as your best friend with love, respect, admiration, and all those good qualities that help you shine. Develop an exercise routine that will reinforce self-love helping you feel healthier, more vibrant, and better about your body. Make sure to do things that nourish your body and soul.
Acupuncture is a good way to set yourself on the path of self-love. Give us a call or write us a note to start a treatment plan today.
