However, for many people, this concept is still strange, even accompanied by a feeling of guilt. So, what is Self-love really? Why do young women need to practice Self-love?
Self-love is not selfish behavior
In Eastern cultures, prioritizing oneself is sometimes misunderstood as selfishness due to the collective concept and family responsibilities are often placed first, especially for women.
Ms. NGN (28 years old, living in Duc Nhuan ward, Ho Chi Minh City, office worker) shared that there were times when she wanted to put everything aside, take a few days to stabilize herself and stay away from work and family pressures, but… she didn’t dare.
“I feel guilty every time I spend time alone, because I think that time could have been spent working and earning more money. I am also afraid of the looks and gossip of others, especially relatives, who think I am selfish for daring to put work aside to go out,” said Ms. N.
Self-love is not selfish but about building a strong spiritual foundation to be able to better support others.
Illustration: AI
From a psychological perspective, Dr. Nguyen Phi Yen, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Thu Duc General Hospital (HCMC), said: “Self-love is not selfishness but building a solid spiritual foundation to be able to support others better. A woman who takes good care of herself will have the energy and patience to take care of her family and friends. This is a positive psychological attitude, thereby promoting health, preventing and dealing with diseases.”
In addition, specialist Dr. Duong Thi Hong Nhung, Head of the Department of Neurology - Stroke, Gia An 115 Hospital (HCMC), further explained: "Self-love is a way to create conditions for the brain to rest and recover. When we love and take care of ourselves in a healthy way, the brain will secrete positive chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin to help reduce anxiety, increase satisfaction and improve memory."
Learn to love yourself instead of avoiding pressure
Ms. PNTA (22 years old, in Phu Tho ward, Ho Chi Minh City), a 5th year medical student, said that she suffers from overthinking - a psychological condition that many young people suffer from - causing her to think too much, to the point of mental exhaustion. To escape from those excessive thoughts, she often watches movies or surfs social networks all the time, sometimes almost hugging her phone all night.
“By filling my mind with movies, I feel like I can escape from the pressures and worries. At least watching movies until morning and then falling asleep because I’m tired is better than losing sleep due to overthinking every night,” Ms. A. said.
Over-shopping in women is often a knee-jerk reaction, aimed at immediate stress relief but does not address the root cause of the stress.
PHOTO: NHU QUYEN
From there, Dr. Phi Yen said: “Stress-escape behaviors such as entertainment or excessive shopping in women are often an immediate reaction, aiming to reduce stress immediately but not solving the root cause of stress. Meanwhile, Self-love should really aim to nourish yourself both physically and mentally.”
According to Dr. Hong Nhung, for women - a group easily affected by hormonal changes and stress, self-love and self-care help:
- Stabilizes cortisol (stress hormone).
- Prevent anxiety disorders, depression, sleep disorders.
- Increase psychological resilience during sensitive periods such as postpartum and premenopause.
“For young women, consider Self-love as a way to protect the brain by prioritizing sleep to help the brain recover best, exercising, eating nutritious food, reducing time spent on social networks, avoiding comparison and unnecessary pressure. In addition, do not try to please everyone, listen to your own limits. Self-love is the first step to taking care of yourself proactively, knowledgeable and valuable,” Dr. Hong Nhung emphasized.
The importance of nutrition to women's health
Specialist Doctor 1 Le Thi Thuy Hang, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Branch 3, said that Self-love can start from the way each person nourishes the body through each meal. A diet that helps purify and relax should prioritize foods of natural origin, easy to digest and rich in antioxidants:
Breakfast : Start with a glass of warm water or green vegetable juice, which helps cleanse the liver and stimulate metabolism. Then you can add a small cup of coffee depending on your preference.
Lunch : Choose light dishes such as steamed fish, boiled vegetables, squash soup or seaweed soup to limit fat and help cool the body.
Evening : Dishes like oatmeal, lotus root soup, soft tofu or unsweetened nut milk will help the nervous system relax and make it easier to sleep.
In addition, whole grains, fatty fish, eggs, green vegetables, beans, nuts, yogurt and dark chocolate also help young women reduce stress, stabilize energy, improve sleep and support the brain-gut axis.
“Let every meal be a way to take care of yourself, let every day be a small step in the journey to regain balance. Young women need to learn to stop, listen, and love themselves physically and mentally,” Dr. Thuy Hang shared.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nghe-thuat-yeu-thuong-ban-than-lieu-thuoc-tinh-than-cho-phu-nu-18525101817462603.htm
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