Self-Care Through the 5 Love Language
Gary Chapman's book, The Five Love Languages, describes the five ways humans communicate and receive love from others, which includes words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch.
Often, our love language is a reflection of what we didn't receive.
Knowing and understanding what our love language is can be important in intimate relationships as it can improve communication and help us understand the type of love we are the most receptive to.
Interestingly, the way you give love may not necessarily be how you receive love.
For example, you might be someone who enjoys doing acts of service for others or buying them gifts - but you might not be very receptive to someone else if they were to buy you gifts: you might've preferred quality time.
Most people will talk about love languages in a relationship, but not many will discuss the importance of knowing our self-love language, and how to use self-care to give ourselves the love we need.
Keep reading for self-care tips and how you can implement the 5 love languages in your routine.
Words of Affirmation
Some people's love language is words of affirmation. This can include spoken or written words that are meant to be positive, uplifting, encouraging or, in simpler terms – praising.
Some things you can do to give yourself words of affirmation...
Write yourself a letter
Commit to saying or writing affirmations
Listen to a guided meditation focused on self-love
Physical Touch
Touch for some people can be soothing, relaxing and grounding. With the clutter of our daily lives, it's hard to find the time to indulge in the things that help bring us to the present.
Some things you can do to give yourself the benefits of physical touch...
Hand massage with oil
Skincare routine
Stretching or exercising
Receiving Gifts
Receiving gifts is something a lot of people highly appreciate because it reminds them that someone took time out of their day, thought of them and gifted them something meaningful.
You can do the same for yourself by...
Treating yourself to something you've been wanting to purchase
Investing in self-care supplies
Focusing on yourself by taking a yoga class or learning a new skill
Quality Time
For many, quality time with a loved one is highly valued. But you can also spend quality time with yourself.
Some things you can do by yourself...
Take a self-care day, go to a spa, get a manicure or shop
Invest in some me-time and recharge away from others
Take yourself out on a date
Acts of Service
When a loved one shows us love and appreciation through an act of service, we are thankful because it means something was taken off your to-do list.
To show yourself appreciation and love, some things you can do as an act of service for yourself are...
Declutter your space – future you will appreciate it
Meal prep for the week
Organize your schedule and to-do list
In conclusion…
Your love language can tell you a lot about how you give and receive love.
It can especially be helpful if you're trying to figure out how to implement the Five Love Languages into your self-care routine – and which self-love language you would most benefit from.
If you don’t know your love language or need a refresher (our needs can and often will change over time!), take the Love Language Quiz Here.
