How can you bring more joy and love into your life? In the spirit of making every day Valentine’s Day, here are ten fun, practical and very simple ideas for saying “I love you” to yourself on a regular basis. Keep this list handy for a quick pick-me-up whenever you’re feeling less than loving towards yourself or others.

Take a loving look in the mirror

Louise Hay, author and “Queen of Affirmations” and self love, suggests people pick up or stand in front of a mirror each morning, look into their own eyes and say out loud, “I love and accept you exactly as you are.” And Dr. Christine Page suggests we look in the mirror and say, “Hello, Gorgeous!” This can bring up some initial resistance and discomfort, but eventually, the goal is to feel a genuine respect and gratitude towards the miracle of our body, mind, heart and spirit.

Breathe

Whenever stress threatens to overwhelm you, replace it with some focused, deep breathing. A few minutes, a few times a day, can have positive effects on your body and restore you to balance. Learn a technique for deep breathing.

Meditate

Start or maintain a regular meditation practice. There are many meditation resources available online, through classes, and CDs or DVDs you can use at home. Read more about the many benefits of meditation and how to enjoy a regular practice.

Walk

We all know we need to exercise more. Even a 10-minute walk to clear your head in the middle of the day can have a beneficial impact on your physical health, your stress levels, your ability to problem solve and your creativity. Walking can be a form of meditation and a way to open the heart. Nicole Moen, author of 10 Minute Pilgrimage: How to Be a Pilgrim in Your Own Home Town, explains that even in short spurts, walking with intention “can be a fast track to opening up enough to hear what is calling.”

Move and dance

Move your body regularly, just for the pure joy of it! Many movement teachers believe that the body is the conduit to our heart and spirit, moving the energy (not to mention the endorphins) through our body and re-grounding us.  Put on a favourite piece of music and go! JourneyDance founder Toni Bergins offers a lovely practice to her students at the end of a class – wrap your arms around yourself; give yourself a little squeeze and finish with a kiss on one shoulder. If dancing’s not for you, then check out other forms of “conscious” movement you can do both in formal classes and on the fly, including yoga, tai chi, or Qi Gong.

Go on a mini Artist Date

Made popular by Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way, the Artist Date is “assigned play,” a solo and festive time-out to explore something that interests you – perhaps browsing an art supply or book store, or going to a photo exhibit.

Poet Mary Ann Moore was inspired to write “Outside the Window of the Islam Store” after visiting Toronto’s Little India one grey February day on an artist date.  She went into sari stores to “see silks in glowing blues, crimsons, magentas, azures woven with threads of gold.” Where can you go on a mini trip to bring some spice and colour into your life?

Read

If you’re a lover of words, take a few minutes each day for a reading break – pick up a collection of favourite inspirational quotes, or read a poem – how about some David Whyte, Mary Oliver or Pablo Neruda?

Stop procrastinating and start a love project

Commit (or recommit) to something you’ve always wanted to do and make a plan for how you will do it. Then take what author and creative muse SARK calls a “micromovement” – one action or small step of less than five minutes – in the direction of your dream. (String those micromovements together and over time your project will be completed!)

Buy yourself some fresh flowers and/or chocolate

Think bright colours and simple floral arrangements for an instant shift in mood and decor. And once in a while, why not indulge (in moderation!) in a little chocolate? Skip the sugary bonbons that come in heart-shaped boxes and instead enjoy a few pieces of pure, premium dark chocolate. Dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids) contains natural antioxidants and, according to recent studies, may have a variety of health benefits, including contributing to heart health.

Live in gratitude

As transformational life coach Lise Janelle explains, “The easiest way to connect and open our heart is through gratitude. When we learn to use both the support and challenges of our life to our advantage, we can be grateful for all of the people and experiences in it. In gratitude we are free to transform our life into what inspires us, free to love ourselves and others. Gratitude brings love into our life.” What are you grateful for in your life? Make a mental list or start a gratitude journal – at the end of the day, list five things you are grateful for.

Be loving to yourself every day! It’s not about vanity or narcissism. Self care and self love are the foundation for living a healthy, vibrant life and will positively impact those around you.

Keren Brown is the President of Go Green Inside® and the publisher of gogreeninside.com. She is a writer and editor with a background in communications consulting and non-profits, and was Founding Executive Director of the Holistic Health Research Foundation of Canada.