Walking with mountain views, appreciating small moments, spending quality time with yourself — just as you tend to your relationships with loved ones, your relationship with yourself also takes intention and consistency.
"The first ingredients for having a good relationship with ourselves is to accept ourselves. To accept that we are inherently imperfect, that we are human beings," psychologist Giselle Torres Padín tells Platea. Here are some tips and ideas for reconnecting with your inner self.
Connect with nature
Sometimes what you need most is to put down your phone and give yourself some time free of stimulation. Walk a trail with a view that leaves you speechless, escape to your favorite forest, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee in your backyard.
If you feel like exploring, Bosque Pterocarpus en Palmas del Mar has an elevated trail surrounded by nature that feels like another world, and the Paseo Tablado in Isabela offers a walk between the sea and the mangroves.
Explore a new hobby
Dedicating yourself to a hobby you genuinely enjoy can help you grow as a person, reduce stress and even build new community connections, according to psychology studies. There are also many hobbies you can do on your own to deepen your connection with your inner self.
Some suggestions: sit down with a book, visit museums to appreciate art and history, take up a physical activity you enjoy, or learn something new by taking a course. And if you're looking for a different kind of literary experience, The Bookmark is bringing back its popular Blind Dates with a Book, a blind date with a book where you choose your next read without knowing what it's about.
Take care of your physical and mental health
Taking care of your physical health, such as playing sports, eating well and getting enough sleep, helps keep you healthy, and your mental health and how you perceive yourself naturally benefit as well.
When we don't take care of our bodies, it affects how we think, concentrate and manage day-to-day life. As a result, it becomes harder to cope with stress and anxiety. Remember, taking care of your overall health is taking care of your essence as a human being. Here are some of our guides for improving your intentional self-care routine.
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Celebrate yourself in small moments
Especially when you're facing difficult times. Experts say that practicing hope, believing your situation can change through consistent action, is key. Celebrate every small step toward your goals; it improves your self-esteem and lowers stress levels. And it doesn't have to be something internal. Organize a celebration for yourself as if it were your birthday to mark an achievement: a job change, finishing a class, or any goal you've reached.
"That self-compassion will allow us to focus on our own journey, and let go of judgment, self-criticism, regret and guilt, which are often some of the things that most affect our relationship with ourselves," Torres Padín explains.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
