Top tips to nurture relationships with self and others this Valentine's Month

Are you single, in a happy relationship, or in a long-term relationship that has lost its spark? For some people, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate love and romance but for others it may be a reminder of longed-for companionship or a long-lasting relationship that has gone a little stale around the edges.  
Here are our top tips to nurture relationships with self and others in the month of love and romance.
 
Single ladies. Put your hands up!
You may be rocking the single life or wishing for a committed relationship this Valentine’s Day. If the latter, it’s time to invest in some self-love.

1. Pamper yourself this Valentine’s Day. Nurture and be kind to yourself. Take the time out for a manicure or a massage. Do something that makes you feel good. Do NOT spend the day staring at friends’ declarations of love on social media.
2. Have a great night out with your friends. Laugh, love and enjoy good, solid friendships.
3. Go out and carve the life that you want for yourself. Don’t spend time waiting for love to happen. Love will come knocking when you’re out there living a full, authentic life, not when you’re cooped up indoors feeling miserable.
4. Love and accept yourself fully and completely for who you are. This is going to sound odd but give it a whirl: every morning as you brush yourself say to yourself “I love you because…’ Do this for 21 days (or longer if you can) and see the effect this has on your self-esteem.

 
If you are in a happy relationship:

1. Celebrate what you have together.  Take the time out to acknowledge and be grateful for what you appreciate about the other person.
2. Look at new ways to keeping that closeness. The familiarity and comfort that comes with a long-term relationship is beautiful but after a while, it can become all too easy to take each other for granted. Take the time out for date nights or a weekend away without the kids to celebrate you as a couple.

For those of you that have lost that connection.
​Ah, life has a funny way of diminishing the flame that once burnt so bright. The long hours at work, responsibilities towards family members young and old, the change in identity as couples evolve after having children all affect the quality and quantity of communication needed to sustain a healthy, happy relationship. Perhaps it’s time to reconnect and rekindle your relationship.

1. Take time out to tell your partner what they mean to you and what it is in particular that you appreciate about them. Both write 3 things down and then share with each other and discuss. Give specific examples where you can.
2. Think about the best times in your relationship. Talk to each other about what them great. Think about how you met and what attracted you to each other.
3. Be honest and share 2 things each about what you both want most out of the relationship that is perhaps not happening right now. I know. It’s a little awkward especially when you need to try and bear your partner’s wish list in mind without judgement or criticism for the next week to see how things goes.  If you are scared to share what you want it may help to know that most partners do want to please their loved ones.  Just leave out “you” and use statements such as  “I would love to be held right now”.  I would love to spend more time with you’.

Being happy and settled in yourself and your relationships is a key part to overall health and wellbeing and vitality so make sure you prioritise you and your relationships this month!
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‘Only through our connectedness to others can we really know and enhance the self. And only through working on the self can we begin to enhance our connectedness to others.’ Harriet Lerner (author)

Recipe of the Month
​This time it’s a recipe with a difference:  a face mask that is scrumptious enough to eat and will have you glowing from the outside as well as in! 

Avocado Face Mask

• 1 Avocado peeled and stoned
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tbs coconut oil melted
• 1 tsp raw honey

 

1. Mash all the ingredients together till they are all mixed and smooth or blend in a food processor.
2. Apply evenly to your face and leave on for up to 20 minutes
3. Rinse with warm water

Oh, and to really spice things up this Valentine’s Day, who can resist Chilli Cherry Chocolate? Made with love, these rich and creamy chocolate treats are utterly delicious and bursting with antioxidants. 

Chilli Cherry Chocolate

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• Organic Dark Chocolate 85% Cacao (look for a brand with no refined sugar)
• Fresh cherries
• Chilli flakes

1. Melt the chocolate
2. Add in the chilli flakes - a few at a time to taste
3. Chop and mix the cherries in
4. Freeze

This also works with fresh strawberries or raspberries (if chilli’s not your thing, leave them out).
 
Wishing you all a month of love and meaningful connection!
Alison and the Health Nation team.