Not Only For Other People, Love Language Is Also Needed For Yourself

Illustration of love sign (Photo: pexels)

JAKARTA - Many people think that love language is a person's way of expressing love and affection for others. Actually, there is nothing wrong with that understanding, but the language of love for yourself also needs attention.

According to Clinical Psychologist Irma Gustianamitra from the Institute of Applied Psychology, University of Indonesia, many people sometimes forget to love themselves before giving love to others.

There are at least five types of love language that each person has, including physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, receiving/giving gifts, and acts of service.

Irma gave an example, with the language of love, physical touch often practices a butterfly hug, or a butterfly hug in which a person crosses their arms over their chest or shoulders to hug themselves.

This butterfly hug is commonly referred to in psychological terms and is proven to have a positive impact on a person's mental health.

"Besides that, just using body lotion or going to the spa can also be a form of love language for those who have a physical touch as a love language," she said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 14.

For someone with "words of affirmation" love language, daily self-validation needs to be done for self-strengthening. Where all this time we often look for it from other people.

"For those whose love language is receiving/giving gifts, it is very permissible for us to reward ourselves by buying a small item that we like, as a congratulation for even the slightest self-achievement," said Irma.

Meanwhile, someone whose love language is the act of service can treat himself/herself by consuming "comfort food" or favorite.

"For quality time, give yourself quality time without interruption for 15-30 minutes, in psychology it can already be independent therapy when we are under stress," she added.