Self-care should be a priority, yet many people treat it as an afterthought. Moreover, people make the mistake of entering a relationship without knowing how to love and take care of themselves first. Don’t make the same mistake. If you are single and planning to date again (or at least open to the thought of dating), here are some self-care practices that you should master:
Physical self-care
If you take good care of your body, everything else will follow. Before you sign up for dating services or try meeting new people, here are some self-care methods that can help you improve your physical well-being:
- Get enough rest
- Engage in adequate physical activity
- Pay attention to what you’re eating
- Attend your doctor and dentist appointments regularly
- Know and respect your physical limits
- Hydrate yourself properly
- Take good care of your skin
- Maintain good hygiene
Mental self-care
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your body. When it comes to dating, you would want your mental space to be in its best shape before you talk to someone new.
Mental self-care includes activities that help keep your mind sharp, reduce stress levels, and increasing your overall happiness. Here are some activities that you can do to take care of your mental health:
- Read a book
- Pick up a new hobby
- Unplug from technology for a day
- Learn something new
- Do things that relax you, e.g., meditation, walking, yoga, etc.
- Declutter your space
- Go to therapy
Emotional self-care
Similar to mental self-care, emotional self-care is also vital before sharing your life with another person again. By learning how to process your emotions in healthy ways first, your emotional turmoils won’t spill into your relationships, which is something that your potential new partner doesn’t deserve.
Here are different ways you can start taking better care of your emotional health:
- Learn how to get rid of your toxic coping mechanisms
- Acknowledge your emotions as they are
- Share your feelings and thoughts with someone you trust
- Be kind to yourself first and foremost
- Recharge when you need to
- Find healthy ways to process your emotions
Social self-care
Having close and meaningful relationships is vital to your overall well-being. However, we all have different social needs, and it’s up to you to determine what those needs are. In doing so, you can figure out how to meet those needs in a way that works for you and your lifestyle.
Here are some social activities to try:
- Chat or call your friends when you can
- Go out with a friend every once in a while
- Socialize with your neighbors
- Attend family gatherings if you are comfortable in doing so
- Make time for the most important people in your life
- Find ways to maintain your relationships
Diving into the dating scene when you aren’t even giving yourself 100% is not good for you nor your partner. Putting yourself first may seem self-centered and narcissistic to some, but that can’t be farther from the truth. When you learn how to treat yourself with care, kindness, and compassion, you become a far better partner and an even better person.
