What Is Love? Exactly How Self-Love Can Change Your Health For The Better
What is love? Well, according to the official definition love is “an intense feeling of deep affection”. While society likes to dote on romantic love there are actually many other forms of love that have nothing to do with a significant other. In fact, self-love is something I see to be vitally important as a functional medicine expert.
Defined as a state of appreciation for one’s self worth and value, studies have shown the immense benefits of cultivating self love - both mentally and physically. By showing yourself a little more love, you could start reaping some of these benefits, including:
- Improved mental health (lower rates of anxiety and depression)
- Higher self-esteem
- Increased motivation
- More self-awareness
- Better sleep
- Enhanced physical health
- Less stress
But how exactly do you love yourself more? If self-love was an easy concept, I’m sure we’d all be radiating with positive confidence. That’s why I went ahead and put together a list of my favorite books and products to give yourself everything you need to love yourself more for years to come.
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See, self-love isn’t just a mental battle that you have to overcome. The mind-body connection is real and how you care for your body internally directly affects how you look and feel mentally and physically.
Together, my book The Inflammation Spectrum and my two co-branded products with Agent Nateur holi ( y o u t h ) and holi ( m a n e ) will help you overcome the internal physiological problems that play a role in everything from acne, chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, weight gain, gut problems, and so much more. There’s a reason this book continues to rise in popularity years after publication and why Agent Nateur is one of my best selling products to date.
Ultimately, shame and self-love can’t coexist. Remember, you can’t heal a body you hate. Here’s exactly how you can cultivate a love for yourself that facilitates deep healing - both physically and emotionally!
1. Find what foods YOUR body loves
How you feel is constantly and dynamically being influenced by every meal. Every food you eat is either feeding inflammation or fighting it. But because no one else is uniquely you, the foods that work well for someone else may not be right for your body. At its heart, The Inflammation Spectrum is about learning to love your body enough to nourish it with delicious, healing foods and will show you what foods your body loves and which foods your body hates.
And since inflammation is the hidden trigger of so many health problems including depression, anxiety, weight gain, fatigue, and more, as you drive down inflammation through your diet you’ll be able to improve your symptoms and feel better.
2. Nourish your second brain
Your gut is often referred to as your second brain. This is because it is formed by the same fetal tissue when you were growing in your mother’s womb and is still connected today. In fact, 95% of your “happy” neurotransmitter serotonin is made and stored in your gut. That’s why when your gut lining is compromised and overloaded with systemic inflammation, it can result in symptoms of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and brain fog - all things that deplete your self-love and feelings of self-worth!
holi ( m a n e ) and holi ( y o u t h ) are both formulated with high-quality collagen and adaptogens designed to heal and restore a damaged gut while providing a balancing effect on the brain, hormones, and inflammation levels. Not only will you feel better on the inside, you’ll also have a glow that radiates on the outside, which brings me to my final point…..
3. Radiate beauty from the inside-out
These same ingredients in holi ( m a n e ) and holi ( y o u t h ) have been proven to lower inflammation that leads to acne, dull skin, signs of aging, and other skin-related problems. Two daily powerhouse superfoods, marine collagen and pearl powder, are combined in this odorless and nearly tasteless blend abundant in over 30 trace minerals, including silica, magnesium, calcium and potassium that support optimal hair, skin and nail health. Bioavailable amino acids activate hair, skin and nail cells to produce collagen, promote cellular repair and hydration.
Even though our love for ourselves isn’t based on superficial beauty, just the act of taking care of ourselves physically can improve how we view ourselves for the better. Plus, when we look our best (meaning, when we look healthy, not when we are striving to live up to society’s beauty standards), we feel our best!
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The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
Our content may include products that have been independently chosen and recommended by Dr. Will Cole and our editors. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission.
BY DR. WILL COLE
Dr. Will Cole, DNM, IFMCP, DC is a leading functional medicine expert who consults people around the globe, starting one of the first functional medicine telehealth centers in the world. Named one of the top 50 functional and integrative doctors in the nation, Dr. Will Cole provides a functional medicine approach for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and brain problems. He is also the host of the popular The Art of Being Well podcast and the New York Times bestselling author of Intuitive Fasting, Ketotarian, Gut Feelings, and The Inflammation Spectrum.
Gut Feelings
Healing The Shame-Fueled Relationship
Between What You Eat And How You Feel