There are no two ways about it: the more you practice self-love, the better you’re able to love others. The healing, peace, and understanding that come with intentional and true self-love will be reflected in empathy, clearer communication, and more meaningful connections in all of your relationships, including friends, family, romantic partners, coworkers, and collaborators.

And while it’s very true that maintaining boundaries is an act of self-love, that doesn’t mean your journey has to be a lonely road. Here are five ways you can include and support others in self-love:

Share resources

Find a blog post you really love? A new favorite guided meditation? Worksheets to help you check-in on your mental health? Share tools like these with friends and family members who are comfortable having a dialogue about mental health. Encourage them to share their perspective if they discover something, too!

Learn more about the importance of checking in with yourself in our recent post, “Stopping for Self-Care.”

Try something new

Experimenting with new self-care practices can sometimes be intimidating, but not with the buddy system! Consider an online Pilates course or booking a private reiki session for just the two of you. 

Have a self-care night

It may sound like a cliche but #SelfCareSunday or #FacialFriday are great ways to connect with members of your support network in a low-pressure environment. Pick out your favorite face mask, hop on Zoom and talk about your week––and don’t forget to really listen, too. Support is a two-way street!

Join a support group

Getting the most out of a support group, whether it’s online or in-person, can be much easier with someone you trust by your side. You can also help each other continue conversations started in support group, and hold each other accountable to attend regularly.

Play brain games, not mind games

Work on a puzzle, play a mentally-stimulating game or make a creative project together to unwind and get social hours without the pressure of a public outing or filling the silence. Stretching your mind in different ways can help you feel more alert and present with your companion. And it’s fun!

Building a support network is an important facet of self-care. Visit us online or follow us on Instagram for more advice toward building your mental health positive community, and maybe meet potential supporters along the way!