The Power of Self-love
February 13, 2025
When we think of Valentine’s Day, we often find ourselves thinking about either a bouquet of roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and the idea of celebrating love with a special someone.
But what if, this year, the most important Valentine you could celebrate is the one you see in the mirror?
Self-love is often overlooked however is the foundation for healthy relationships, emotional resilience and overall mental wellbeing.
Why Self-Love Matters?
Self-love is about recognising and nurturing your own value and wellbeing. It's the practice of accepting yourself with all your strengths, flaws, and everything in between.
When we practice self-love, we build mental resilience, develop healthy boundaries and foster inner peace that allows us to thrive, regardless of external circumstances. And most importantly, self-love creates the foundation for all other relationships in life.
Redefining Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day can be a challenge for many people, whether you’re single, grieving or simply not feeling the pressure to celebrate in traditional ways. The general notion that love is only meaningful when shared with someone else can sometimes make us feel less-than or incomplete. But this year, let’s reframe it!
Take the time to honour the love you have for yourself. Self-love doesn’t need to look like a big gesture—it can be found in the small, everyday acts of kindness and care you offer yourself.
Ways to Practice Self-Love
Affirmations - Words have power. Start your day with a simple affirmation: "I am worthy of love, kindness, and respect." Repeating affirmations like these helps to reinforce a compassionate mindset.
Set Healthy Boundaries - Saying “no” when you need to, is an essential part of self-love. It’s about protecting your time, energy, and mental space.
Engage in Self-Care - Whether it’s practicing mindfulness, reading a book or simply resting, self-care can help improve your mood. It’s important to make time for activities that nourish your mind and body without guilt.
Journal Your Feelings - Writing can be a powerful tool for self-reflection. Journaling about your thoughts and emotions can help you better understand yourself, your needs, and your goals.
Understanding Self-Love and Mental Health
When we practice self-love, we are also taking proactive steps to protect our mental health. Self-love is a form of self-care, and when we care for our mental wellbeing, we are less likely to fall into patterns of burnout, anxiety, or depression. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about creating space for grace, acceptance, and healing.
Self-love helps us accept our imperfections and mistakes with compassion rather than judgment. It means forgiving ourselves when we fall short and understanding that our worth is not tied to external achievements or opinions. It is simply rooted in the fact that we are human and deserving of care, just as we would offer that care to someone else, we love.
This Valentine’s Day, we encourage you to consider what it would look like to give yourself the same level of care, love, and respect you would give to your closest friend or a loved one.
By prioritising self-love, we not only foster a healthier relationship with ourselves, but we also create a foundation for all other relationships to flourish.
The most important relationship you have is with yourself.
Take a moment to celebrate yourself.
Treat yourself with the kindness you deserve, and remember that you are worthy of love, not just today, but every day!
The nature of friendship There is no specific way to define what a ‘friendship’ is. Sometimes it’s a connection with the person you grew up with, or a group that shares your interests. But friendship also starts with a casual chat at work, a neighbour waving hello, or a familiar face you meet every day on the way home. That’s the beauty of it — there are no boundaries or limits to how friendships are formed. Navigating life changes is hard — but you don’t have to do it alone We’ve all gone through big life changes like moving somewhere new, starting over, or facing tough events. In fact, getting through those times on our own isn’t easy. Entering a new stage can ignite the feelings of loneliness and anxiety. That’s where good friends come in: they can be a real mental buffer against our negative emotions. Friendships offer emotional support by helping you feel truly seen and connected. They create a sense of belonging and strengthen your emotional resilience. Still, maintaining a friendship that stands the test of time and distance isn’t always easy. Communication with friends often gets disrupted as we move through unexpected changes. Sometimes, just one honest and open conversation is all it takes to rebuild the bridge — to remind each other that we’re still here, still listening. A good friend can validate your feelings, empower and inspire you to take steps. Friendships: the first relationship that shapes the rest Friendships are one of the first relationships we get to choose for ourselves. Spending time with people who are good for our developmental health is matter, as they play a huge role in shaping how we connect with others. Through friendship, we learn how to trust, how to support, and how to be present — lessons that carry into every other relationship we build. On this International Friendship Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the power of friendship in supporting mental well-being and emotion, especially during life’s most challenging moments. Whether it’s a message, a call, or a quiet thank-you, let your friends and the person you care know how much they’ve mattered on your journey. Written by Anne Bui and Kylie Nguyen
On this year's World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day, we explore the importance of early intervention and seeking the right support for the youngest people in our society.
The 7th of April brings around World Mental Health Day once again! Health is a broad topic that can be overwhelming and intimidating to many people, making it seem hard to maintain on top of your work, social life, and family duties. However, there are 5 healthy habits you can incorporate into your daily routine to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sleep like it’s a priority! Health and sleep go hand in hand, and to feel your best you need to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. A good night’s sleep allows your body to rest and recharge for the following day, boosting both your physical and mental health. To ensure your get a good night’s rest, consider creating a sleep pattern where you go to sleep and wake up at the same every day. While it’s tempting to scroll on your phone or binge watch TV, sticking to a sleep routine helps your body get into a pattern and boosts your mood. Prep like a meal master Healthy meals are time consuming to make, and takeout often feels like the easiest solution after a long day’s work. This is great occasionally; however, they do lack the nutrients your body needs which is where meal prepping comes in! Meal prepping just once a week allows you to keep on track of eating healthy lunches and dinners, boosting both your physical and mental wellbeing, as a balanced diet is linked to improving mood and boosting energy. Sweat in snippets! A full body workout everyday can be overwhelming, but the trick is not to focus on getting in a 2-hour workout every day! Instead aim for 10 minutes here and there, like walking on your lunch breaks or stretching in between work tasks. Even wearing ankle weights while cooking will allow you to be exercising while doing daily tasks! Working out in small bursts is a good way to maintain your physical health and is also seen to boost your mood. Drink up buttercup! Aim to drink a litre of water a day. It’s a simple task that’s easy to forget, but a simple trick is to take a sip every time you pick up your phone. This creates a habit of drinking water every time you’re scrolling on TikTok or texting someone and will help you reach your hydration goal. It’s important to drink water as it helps maintain a healthy body and maintain its functions, so it’s time to drink up buttercup! Pause and breathe If you’re busy working all day, it’s easy to forget to check in with yourself. To solve this problem, set health breaks on your phone that will remind you every few hours. Take just 5 minutes to step away - go for a quick walk or pause to breathe and recharge. It’s a simple way to look after your wellbeing throughout the day and get you moving a little bit, so you’re not stuck in same spot all day. Good Wellbeing Starts Today With such a busy schedule, maintaining your health can be an afterthought. However, these 5 healthy habits aim to incorporate looking after one’s physical and mental health into your daily routine. Download the Supportive Mind app to prioritise your wellbeing In today’s fast-paced world, finding time for yourself can be tough. The Supportive Mind is here to change that. With features designed to help you stay active, track your mood, and access personalised wellness resources, our app is the perfect companion to ensure your mental and physical health come first. Download today: https://www.mhfa.org.au/supportive-mind By Jamie Speight
