During this week of hearts and love, shower a little more loving self-care on YOU! It’s often easier to be kinder to someone else than ourself. And if you have teenagers, this idea is more crucial than ever. A survey released yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 40 percent of teens were extremely sad and could barely function during the pandemic.
The CDC research took place in 2021 and showed a dramatic increase from ten years ago. The report also revealed nearly 60-percent of teen girls had major depression and nearly 1 in 3 teens had considered suicide.
We need to be aware of Mental Health, ask for help, and not believe our negative thoughts. Here are a few mindful tips that may help with self-love and self-acceptance. Teach these to your children and grandchildren.
1. Let go of judging Yourself
You have spent too long trying to measure up to an ideal of who you think you should be. When really, you just have to say to yourself, “ I’m doing the best that I can.” Then, accept that you are doing your best. It is time to release all judgements.
What does that mean? It is now time to see yourself as the brilliant, amazing person you truly are! For you are special and unique. It is now time for you to realize that you are loved unconditionally. You deserve to be loved for exactly who you are. You do not need to do anything to feel this love.
2. Honor Your Feelings–both the Good and the Bad
Welcome your feelings. We need to find a way to be with feelings and let them go. Emotions such as grief allow us to release pain so that we may move forward in our lives. Other feelings may be more unclear, such as tightness in our stomach or around our chest. As we bring an attitude of gentleness toward it, and sit with the feeling with compassion, we may open more to understanding and our true needs.
Feelings often contain wise messages. If we can cultivate a warm and friendly attitude toward our feelings, they’re more likely to become allies on our journey. New insights open up and our lives move forward in a more fulfilling way.
3. Allow Love IN!
Even more so during these challenging times, be willing to pause and allow love in! That’s the true meaning of mindfulness…being aware of a loving presence and being in the NOW of the present moment. That’s why a brief pause into stillness, a little deep breathing, or even a short meditation can lift your spirits.
What does it mean to let love in and love yourself? It means accepting our history and the messes. Loving ourselves means experiencing our feelings just as they are and also accepting what is without resistance. During tough times, know that this will pass. The most important thing is to be kind to yourself.
Even if we do not like our current situation, let love in. Staying stuck in negativity will prevent more helpful solutions from breaking through. It means pausing enough to trust that the right answers will come. Try pausing in stillness and asking yourself, What would “Love” have me do?
To sum up, be willing to pause and let love in! Then, allow in compassion for yourself and for those areas of your life that you are still seeking to change. This is true self-love. When we come from love, we can better uplift ourselves and our world! Below I am offering a free guided meditation for more self-love. Also, check out the Inner Peace Time app for dozens of guided mediation and breathing techniques for adults, teens, and children to help you thrive.
Wishing you and your family the best!
Vicki
Your Mindset and Meditation Coach
Vicki Atlas Israel is the Author of “Inner Power NOW.” She is available for workshops and programs to help teens and families thrive. Please feel free to contact us to learn more. As a Mindset Coach and Certified Guided Imagery Specialist, Vicki’s purpose is to bring more love, joy, and healing to parents, teens, and children.