Self-love, pampering, and self-importance are some of the words we associate with ourselves when we want to have a healthy relationship with ourselves. Thanks to millennials for amplifying the need for having a self-relationship! Having a good relationship with yourself is extremely crucial. Unknowingly, the way we treat ourselves is an ingredient for having good relationships with others as well! If you’re a man who often neglects the requisites of having a positive self-relationship, it is time to do some self-introspection! Here’s a guide to improving your relationship with yourself:
The way we let others treat us serves as an important cue for how we address ourselves as adults. When we talk about having an improved relationship with ourselves, a number of guidebooks and directories come to mind. It is crucial to choose the right options and apply them to our lives.
Men, specifically when it comes to their own selves, have a skewed relationship. With society dictating how men should treat their own feelings and emotions, many adult men end up in a trap of low self-confidence and self-love.
Read on to discover the guide to improving your relationship with yourself:
Your health counts
Eating well and exercising well go a long way toward having a good relationship with oneself!
However, it involves more than just food and fitness.
The first step towards this mantra is to appreciate what our body does for ourselves. After all, it is the vehicle that moves us throughout the day.
It is a human tendency to ‘not’ coddle our physical health until and unless we fall sick! It is necessary to take care of our health to ensure that our body doesn’t fall sick all of a sudden.
If you’re a working man and end up neglecting your health at times, putting some effort into meditating, eating a balanced diet, and having a good sleep schedule would prove to be necessities towards having good physical health.
Turn down your inner critic
When you think about your biggest critic, does oneself count?
If this is so, buddy, things need to change!
The next time you’re thrashing yourself with criticism and self-hatred, step down from the pedestal and think: Would you hate a friend the way you’re doing so with yourself? Hell no!
Therefore, it is necessary to show yourself some compassion. As much as it is crucial to keep a check on your deeds, one needs to have a pause button! Give yourself some self-love and appreciation, and treat yourself in the same way that you would treat your best man.
Self-care it is!
It is uncommon to see men and self-care go hand-in-hand, isn’t it?
As men, we must have heard the concept of being a rough, tough being who tends to the needs of others.
However, self-care for men is as important as it is for any other gender. When we talk about self-care, it does not necessarily mean going on a vacation or pampering.
Self-care can be as simple as devoting an hour or so to oneself. Journaling, going on walks, skincare or just cranking up the stereo, and enjoying oneness are some instances of self-care.
Less judgment, more compassion
At times, we find ourselves judging the way our peers dress, talk, and work.
Let me spare you an ugly truth: being judgmental is a sign of showing one’s insecurities.
Moreover, it is a deeply unkind thing to do. Stop yourself the next time you feel like judging the person in front of you. Instead, start by appreciating them.
Hold yourself back from joining in on critical gossip if you find yourself surrounded by it.
Practicing kindness and acceptance towards others is a step towards becoming more mindful of our own perspectives.
Conclusion
As men of modern times, our relationship with ourselves is the foundation for every other relationship we indulge in. It is probably the most important relationship!
A study by Pitirim Sorokin, a pioneer in sociology and educator, set out a connection between self-love and altruistic love. One who has a positive relationship with themselves is more altruistic and empathetic towards others.
Therefore, it is important to be a good friend to oneself. It's fair to say that our relationship with ourselves is the most intimate of all. After all, we are the ones who have access to our inner selves!
Keynote:
Study by Pitirim Sorokin: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339050150_Inseparability_of_Self-Love_and_Altruistic_Love_PA_Sorokin_and_E_Fromm
Written by: Deepdisha Sarkar
Edited by: Aniket Joshi