Write Love Notes (to You)

Quick Win

What messages do you need to hear? Choose a few feel-good words, sayings or quotes and post them around the house.

Try This Today

• Choose your messages. They can be simple and reassuring, like “All is well,” “You are loved” or “Breathe in, breathe out.” Or go for an inspiring saying, like “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Write each one on a sticky note.
• Place the notes in easy sight. Post them in places you see often, such as the bathroom mirror, your laptop screen, the refrigerator door. How about on the bookmark tucked into the novel you’re reading?
• Take a moment. As you spy each note throughout the day, pause for a second and let the message sink in.

Why

You’ve offered words of encouragement and comfort to family and friends countless times. Directing those good vibes inward may benefit your mental health and well-being. Practicing self-compassion means treating yourself with acceptance, love and care. Research by Kristin Neff at the University of Texas at Austin and others has shown an association between self-compassion and well-being. The potential mental​ ​health benefits of self-compassion for older adults were confirmed in a review of 11 studies published in 2020 in International Psychogeriatrics.