When life is chaotic and stressful, it can help to learn how to practice self-love. Here are 18 quick self-love ideas to help you (and your students) reignite your connections with yourself and others.

It’s crucial to remember that true self-love is about loving, not changing. If it’s something meant to improve us (as is so often presented in the wellness community), it’s self-improvement masquerading as self-love. Deep self-love is loving ourselves as we already are. Go gently. Be kind. You’re wonderful just the way you are.

We hope you find some gems in here! But if a suggestion doesn’t resonate for you or your students, no worries. We strongly believe that an individual is the only one who can know their path and that wisdom lies within them. Different things work for different people and whatever people feel they need right now is exactly what they need.

18 Quick Ideas to Connect to Yourself and Others

1. Seek Inspiration

Art can soothe the soul. Take some time to get inspired. You can take virtual online tours at the National Museum of Natural History, The British Museum or Louvre.

2. Get Outside

Nature heals! Go outside and breathe the air. Take a walk, go on a hike, ride your bike, play soccer with your family, etc. Just get out. 🌿

3. Enjoy The Outdoor, Indoors

If the weather or your situation doesn’t allow you to go outside, open a window and listen to the sounds, watch a nature documentary. Our founder, Liza, loves to watch this live Miami coral reef cam.

4. Rest, Rest, Rest

Rest anytime you can. Rest isn’t something you have to earn, and it’s one of the most productive things you can do. Here is a book by Valerie Oula that we love called, Rest Rituals. (If you’re into reading we have a lot more favorites on our Amazon community bookshelf!)

5. Journal

Journaling has a ton of benefits, and you can’t do it wrong. Just start writing and see where it takes you. Many times, journaling can help us process through experiences (as illustrated below!).

6. Pet Love

Don’t have a pet to spend time with? Offer to care for someone else’s–you’ll both be grateful. Or, just enjoy cute doggos on Instagram.

7. Laughing

Laughing is so good for us. Watch funny movies or tv shows, read or listen to a funny author or podcast.

8. Love Notes

Write love notes to yourself and tuck them around your house or car–or put sticky notes on all of your mirrors. If you want to spread the love, write love notes in sidewalk chalk outside your home or in a public park.

9. Soul Music

Listen to music that relaxes you, reminds you of happy days past and ahead, or that energizes or inspires you. You might enjoy our collaborative Spotify playlist.

10. Online Libraries

Your local public library likely has tons of ebooks and audiobooks for you, in addition to the wonderful old-fashioned kind. If you like reading books on your device, OverDrive works through your public library to offer free e-books and audiobooks.

11. Meditation

Our founder, Liza Kindred, has a book with a bunch of simple and easy meditations, and our YouTube channel has free guided meditation videos.

12. Practice Gratitude

Write down three things that you are grateful for. Done? Try for 100. :) A wonderful practice is to include thinking of three or four things you are grateful for in your bedtime routine.

13. Move Your Body

Any kind of movement, from a walking meditation to a HIIT workout, helps you to connect with your body. Whatever you can do (and sounds enjoyable) is wonderful.

14. Declutter Your Home (And Your Head?)

Decluttering just one specific space in your home can have surprising mental + emotional benefits, as well as organizational ones. Start small and see how it feels.

15. Practice Self-Compassion

Self love is first love. To get your started, here’s our favorite book on the subject.

16. Make a Thing

Craft, art–whatever you want to call it. Use your hands to make something. Try a collage, a quick sketch of what you see in front of you, a friendship bracelet (our blog editor’s daughter loves this bracelet kit) or draw your happy place.