It might sound too good to be true, but there are so many tools available that can help us discover a deeper appreciation for our lives and the unique things that make us, us.
In our busy age of “Do more and be more,” it’s easy to feel like we just aren’t enough, or that time for ourselves is selfish, but self-love is a critical piece of our wellbeing that can throw everything else off when it’s not supported. Cultivating greater self-love can improve everything from depression to addiction, anxiety, discontent, or numerous other unbeneficial feelings or states of dis-ease.
We just have to open ourselves up to the tools that are out there and be willing to dig deeper. Tapping into creativity and passion is one key component; another is slowing down and taking the time to meditate, reflect, and practice self-care. Music is another valuable resource that speaks to a unique part of us, and music therapy has even been shown to be more effective for depression when combined with psychotherapy than therapy alone.
Then there is the practice of gratitude journaling, which can lower stress and improve a sense of calm. When we look at all the good things we have to be grateful for in our lives, it’s a lot easier to put the frustrating things into perspective. It also allows us to practice self-love, feel happier, and become more resilient.
So many of these resources are at our disposal, any time of day, any day of the week—but we have to realize their potential and prioritize their practice before the magic can happen.
If you missed this week’s episode of The Doctor’s Farmacy, I was joined by Dr. Andrea Pennington to talk about how we can work on our self-love and how that so greatly impacts our place in the world. She shares her own experience in embracing the importance of self-care while getting through medical school, rediscovering her love of music, overcoming depression, and so much more. Dr. Pennington shares a truly unique take on wellness with a bio/psycho/spiritual approach.
Dr. Pennington is an integrative physician, acupuncturist, meditation teacher, and #1 international bestselling author. Her extensive study of medical nutrition, positive psychology, and neuroscience-inspired biohacking led to a blend of ancient wisdom and modern science that she now teaches to others. In Andrea’s latest book, The Real Self Love Handbook, she explores her personal journey from depression to real self-love and how The Cornerstone Process, a 5-step self-discovery framework, is setting people free from the drama of past trauma.
I hope you’ll tune in to learn how to begin tapping into your own self-love and creating true happiness.