Do you know what self-love is? It's more than just changing your hair, getting a new closet or trying to redefine yourself. Self-love is gaining an appreciation for yourself through the physical, emotional and spiritual support you provide for yourself. It is not a fixed state, but can grow over time through actions that lead to maturity. Building self-love can be a long journey, but it is an important step in improving your mental health and overall well-being. So, here are some tips that may help you along the way.

First, forgive yourself.

Are you very hard on yourself? Sometimes, when you strive for perfection, you end up ignoring the fact that you're just an average person. While you may tell yourself that you are only being responsible for yourself, too much self-deprecation can be harmful to your mental health. Instead, learning to forgive yourself for the mistakes you make and using them as opportunities to grow is a step toward practicing self-love.

Second, be thoughtful.

Are the goals you set for yourself really what you want, or are they imposed by society? Self-reflection or mindfulness gives you a clear sense of who you are, how you think and what you want. It arms you with self-knowledge that you can use to move forward. Some ways to practice positive thinking include journaling, meditating or just spending some time in self-reflection.

Third, take action based on your needs.

Do you know what gives you energy? What makes you happy? Maybe you feel overwhelmed by the amount of time you need to spend with your friends or colleagues, but feel bad about wanting to leave. No matter how you choose to leave, you may end up depleting your energy and leaving you exhausted. That's why it's so important to identify the things that make you feel better and the things that make you feel worse.

Fourth, setting boundaries.

Knowing what you need and acting on those needs is a form of self-love. This is great for your mental and emotional health, which brings us to our fourth point, setting boundaries. Are there behaviors that you are not willing to tolerate? The purpose of setting boundaries is not to kick people out of your life, but to help you determine what is acceptable or welcome in your life and what is not. Healthy boundaries can help you filter out the things that drain your energy and hurt you emotionally, physically or spiritually. The way to set boundaries is to use Maslow's hierarchy of needs as a starting point. Figure out what you need to feel loved or accepted, and work from there.

Fifth, protect yourself.

What types of people are you surrounded by? Another way to practice self-love is to protect yourself. This can mean bringing into your life people who support you and who contribute to your emotional, mental and spiritual well-being, rather than tearing it down. It's important for your self-esteem and self-confidence to get rid of fake friends or anyone who takes pleasure in your pain.

Sixth, live intentionally.

What makes your eyes light up? What inspires you? Sometimes it's easy to go through the motions of daily life so that you stop thinking about it much, but it's important that you live mindfully and make choices that help you make progress toward your goals. For example, if you intend to live a peaceful and healthy life, you need to make choices that support that goal, which might include learning how to meditate or starting to change your eating habits.

Seventh, show up for yourself.

Do you blame yourself when you don't accomplish all the tasks you set out to do? There are times when you don't accomplish everything you planned to do, but it's important to acknowledge the effort you put in and the things you did. It's easy to focus only on your own faults, but showing kindness and compassion to yourself, even in the way you speak to yourself, can help push back some of the negative mental patterns you may have and help you feel loved and supported.

Eighth, practice self-care.

Do you sometimes tend to neglect your own needs? Taking care of your basic needs is an act of love. Even taking a few minutes out of your day to check in and provide what you need can help you feel a lot better. Whether it's taking a hot bath, eating something healthy, or even exercising. Practicing self-care can go a long way for your mental health and your well-being. Have you practiced any of these types of self-love? Please let us know in the comments below. If you found this video helpful, be sure to like, subscribe and share this post with those who might benefit from it.