End Your Day with Self-Praise: Just try it for one day!
Why Self-Praise Before Bed Can Transform Your Night and Morning
Weโre often our harshest critics, especially at the end of the day when we reflect on missed opportunities or unachieved goals. Shifting the focus to self-praise allows you to recognize the good in yourself, fostering a sense of self-love. Research from Psychological Science shows that self-affirmation practices, like self-praise, can reduce stress, enhance emotional resilience, and even improve physical health. Praising yourself reinforces the message that you are worthy, capable, and growingโkey components of self-love.
1. Promotes Relaxation for Restful Sleep
The moments before sleep are crucial for setting your brain into "rest mode." Negative thoughts or unresolved stress can keep you tossing and turning, but self-praise redirects your focus to positivity. According to research published in Health Psychology, self-affirmation helps reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone, creating a calmer mental state. When you acknowledge your own efforts and give yourself credit, you send a powerful message to your brain: "It's okay to rest now. You did enough."
2. Creates a Sense of Closure
The end of the day is often when regrets or unachieved goals creep in. Self-praise before bed shifts your focus from what went wrong to what went right. This practice helps you close the day with gratitude and progress, leaving behind unnecessary guilt or stress. Reflecting on even one small achievementโlike sticking to a plan or showing kindnessโcan provide a sense of completion. Psychologists often emphasize this technique as a tool for fostering a growth mindset, making each day feel like a stepping stone toward self-improvement.
3. Sets a Positive Tone for the Morning
The way you think before falling asleep influences how you feel when you wake up. Self-praise instills a sense of accomplishment and confidence, helping you greet the next day with a refreshed and optimistic mindset. Dr. Kristin Neff, an expert on self-compassion, explains that self-kindness practices like this reinforce resilience and make it easier to approach challenges with a positive outlook. A night of rest following a moment of self-love can lead to mornings filled with greater motivation and self-assurance.
How to Practice Self-Love Through Self-Praise
Step 1: Reflect
Think of one thing you did well today. It doesnโt have to be big.
Example: โI stayed patient during a tough situation.โ
Step 2: Write It Down
Keep a journal by your bed and jot down a positive statement about yourself.
Example: โIโm proud of how I stuck to my workout plan.โ
Step 3: Speak It Out Loud
Say your self-praise aloud. Hearing your own voice reinforces the affirmation.
Example: โI gave my best effort today, and thatโs enough.โ
๐ชTips for Making It a Habit
Pair it with your routine: Combine self-praise with an existing bedtime habit like brushing your teeth or reading.
Keep it simple: Focus on just one praise statement each nightโitโs about consistency, not complexity.
Be genuine: Your praise doesnโt need to be grand; even acknowledging small acts of effort makes a big difference.
Make Self-Love a Nightly Routine
Pair this practice with other calming rituals, like stretching, deep breathing, or reading. Over time, these moments of self-love will become a natural and fulfilling way to end your day. Self-praise is not about perfectionโitโs about progress and appreciating your own journey.
Conclusion: Celebrate Yourself Every Night
By taking a moment for self-love through self-praise, you close your day with kindness and positivity. This habit isnโt just about feeling good; itโs about fostering a deeper connection with yourself. Try it tonightโshow yourself the love you deserve.