Self-Care as an Act of Self-Love
Jan 31, 2026 10:00AM ● By Jessica Foley
By Misho on AdobeStock.com
In February, it is common to prioritize nurturing relationships with family, friends or a romantic partner, but not oneself. February is an auspicious time to create and implement self-care rituals to purify the mind, body and spirit.
Februarius is the Latin name for February, derived from the Roman festival of purification, Februa, meaning “month of purification.” Originally the last month of the Roman calendar, it was associated with cleansing rituals, ancestor worship and preparing fields for spring. Over time, it became the second month of the Gregorian calendar, the anglicized February. Self-love and purification are interconnected practices, involving releasing negativity to create space for self-acceptance and compassion. The following restorative practices support holistic well-being.
• Start the day: Make the bed, drink water or do a quick stretch.
• Savor moments: Enjoy a cup of tea mindfully or find beauty in the commute.
• End the day: Reflect on the day, practice gratitude and prepare for restful sleep.
• Nourishment: Hydration and nutritious meals support energy and bodily function.
• Movement: Exercise, yoga or short walks improve mood and overall health.
• Rest: Prioritizing sleep is essential for mental and physical restoration.
• Decluttering: Organizing physical spaces or digital files creates clarity and reduces overwhelm.
• Mindfulness: Meditation, deep breathing and quiet reflection help process thoughts and emotions.
• Journaling: Writing down worries to release them and moments of gratitude promotes positivity.
• Digital detox: Unfollowing or muting energy-draining accounts or setting screen limits purifies the digital space.
• Positive connections: Spending time with supportive people and helping others can be uplifting.
• Nature connection: Spending time outdoors, gardening or walking in nature is grounding.
• Faith and spirituality: Prayer, scripture or connecting with a spiritual community cultivates meaning.
• Creative expression: Art, writing, dance, music or pottery allow for self-expression and joy.
• Forgiveness: Writing down and forgiving past mistakes helps release emotional burdens.
Sound Healing and Purification
Sound healing fosters self-love through vibrations from instruments such as crystal bowls, harp, tuning forks and chimes. These vibrations calm the nervous system, release emotional blocks and shift brainwaves into meditative states, creating inner peace and self-acceptance.
• Reduces stress and anxiety: Vibrations communicate directly with the nervous system to release tension and promote relaxation.
• Activates heart-centered energy: Heart chakra-tuned crystal bowls encourage feelings of love, peace and connection.
• Promotes deep meditation: Sound baths shift brainwaves into relaxed theta and delta states, supporting clarity and self-awareness.• Clears emotional blockages: Specific frequencies help release stored emotional trauma, allowing greater self-compassion.
• Connects to higher self: Stimulating the third eye and crown chakras can support spiritual insight and a sense of inherent worth.
The body’s cells and organs have natural frequencies. Sound healing instruments are believed to resonate with these frequencies, helping restore balance and alignment, often referred to as chi or prana. This practice activates the parasympathetic nervous system, or the body’s rest-and-digest response, which may lower blood pressure, reduce muscle tension and improve circulation.
• Emotional release: Harp vibrations help emotions surface and release, offering comfort and catharsis.
• Deep relaxation: The sound promotes stillness in the mind and body, supporting mindfulness and meditation.
• Spiritual connection: Music facilitates connection to intuition, inner self and a sense of purpose.
• Facilitates self-expression: For those who struggle to communicate, the harp offers a nonverbal way to process emotions.
• Sensory experience: The vibration of the strings provides a soothing, grounding sensation.
Sound healing is generally a low-risk complementary therapy and should not replace conventional medical or mental health care. Individuals with conditions such as epilepsy or implanted medical devices should consult a physician before participating.
This month offers an opportunity for reflection and restorative practices such as meditation, yoga, breathwork, therapeutic massage or sound healing. Seeking local harp therapists for personalized sound baths may deepen the experience. Offering oneself the same care extended to loved ones is a meaningful act of self-love.
Intuitive Harp Healing is a therapeutic sound spa and sanctuary in Oro Valley offering sound bath events, vibroacoustic sound massage, yoga, angelic reiki and meditation with live harp, crystal bowls and gong. Intuitive Harp Healing is located at 9255 N. Oracle Rd., Ste. 115, Oro Valley. For more information, email [email protected]. See ad, page 11.
Intuitive Harp Healing - 9255 N Oracle Rd Ste 115, Oro Valley, AZ
Intuitive Harp Healing is a sanctuary of sound offering multiple pathways to wellness—a unique practice where the ethereal vibrations of harp strings harmonize with both innovative vi... Read More »
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