In this season of love, don’t forget to show love to yourself.
Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to express our love to the ones most important in our lives. However, our efforts to show love to others quickly become futile if we don’t first show love to ourselves. Healthcare experts emphasize the importance of self-care—nourishing mind, body, and spirit—as a way to foster overall well-being. From mental health tips to physical self-care practices, a few of Concordia’s healthcare faculty experts offer their practical advice for how to show love to yourself during this special week.
Megan Watry-Christian, PhD, OT/L
Occupational Therapy Department Chair
One piece of advice I have for showing yourself some love is to make space for quiet. Our world is so loud and always moving at a fast pace. I find that sometimes getting caught up in the busyness of my day can steal some of my peace. You could turn off the radio for your drive home, find a quiet place to just sit and ‘be’ for a few minutes, or use some quiet time to reflect on the blessings in your life. I like to end my quiet time but talking to God through prayers of gratitude so I stay focused on positives and keep my eyes on Him.
Nichole Ostrowski MSW, CAPSW
Bachelor of Social Work Program Director
Showing love to your mind, body, and spirit through a practice of self-care is fundamental to your health and happiness. Self-care means something unique to each individual. As a social worker, self-care is actually mandated in our NASW Code of Ethics and is considered part of the commitment to being an ethical and competent professional. Unfortunately, many of us are taught that always putting others first, working hard, or constantly being productive is the ‘right’ thing to do, whereas taking care of oneself can be seen as selfish or indulgent. However, self-care is not just a luxury; it’s essential for maintaining balance and health. It helps us recharge our emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual batteries. Self-care is an act of loving kindness towards yourself, so love big! Here are some effective self-care strategies:
- Consider the way you speak to yourself. Do you need to flip the script?
- Reflect on what brings you peace and joy. Go chase that.
- Nurture what gives you a sense of purpose. Ground yourself in that.
- Practice gratitude daily. Watch how it shifts your perspective.
- Foster meaningful relationships with those who lift and fill you up.
- Practice mindfulness to manage stress and improve focus.
- Set emotional and time boundaries to protect your mental health. It’s okay to say no and prioritize your needs.
Mike Brown, PharmD
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in Concordia’s School of Pharmacy
Showing love to your body includes being proactive in communicating with your healthcare providers. You know your body best, and your healthcare providers need to hear from you and your feedback on your health in order to best help you lead your healthiest life. The lifestyle changes and therapies that providers recommend and provide require consistent communication and monitoring to maximize their benefit and minimize any side effects to your body. So keep the communication with your providers going to best help them help you!
Rachel Pickett, PhD
Psychology Department Chair
Psychologists suggest five quick and easy tools that we can all use to manage stress and engage in self-care. These strategies can be used anywhere, even in the midst of a busy schedule!
- Calm yourself with deep breathing exercises using the 4-4-6 rule… Breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, and exhale for 6 seconds. This practice helps the body manage physiological arousal.
- Focus your racing thoughts by counting backwards by 3 from 100. Distracting your brain with a task can break negative thinking patterns.
- Relax muscles by tensing individual parts of our body (e.g., making a fist) for 10 seconds and then release. Feeling the contrast of tension and relaxation induces calming sensations.
- Ground yourself by physically touching objects around you, or noticing smells, sounds, or temperature. This technique can make us more aware of our environment and feel more balanced.
- Lastly, give yourself positive affirmations! Think of 3 things that went well and recognize your strengths each day.
For brief videos to walk you through these exercises click here.
Want in?
This February, CUW is showing you the love during Early Commit Month. Prospective undergraduate students who commit to CUW before March 1 for Fall 2025 have the chance to win prizes! Plus, gain early access to things like the housing application and your student portal. In order to be considered “committed” you just need to provide an initial tuition deposit of $200. Reach out to your Admission Counselor or email admission@cuw.edu to make your deposit.
Haven’t applied yet? There’s still time! Start by clicking on the button below.